GB2321070A - Adustable support for flooring - Google Patents

Abstract

A flooring component comprises a saddle member 2 positionable on support 18 between a substrate S and flooring members 16, the saddle comprising a plate 4 with peripheral depending flange 6 which engages support 18, and four L - shaped brackets 8 extending upwardly of plate 4 and having right angled corner portions facing each other so as to define a cruciform channel 10. So as to create a level floor 16 regardless of irregularities in substrate S, supports of different thickness may be used, and also packing pieces 24 which can be cruciform as shown, rectangular, or other shapes. Support 18 may include a sound - deadening foam layer.

Description

FLOORING COMPONENTS The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to flooring components.

In situations in which it is required to lay upon an uneven substrate a floor arrangement having a level upper surface, it is well known to provide flooring devices which extend heightwise within a gap formed between the substrate and flooring supports therefor, the height of the flooring devices being selectable or adjustable according to the height of the gap at various appropriate locations.

Flooring members are thus arranged to provide said required level surface and may comprise floor boards, panels and the like which may be supported by battens or other support means laid in a regular pattern across the floor area. It is, therefore, advantageous to provide a means for securing the battens to the flooring devices which is compatible with the necessity to make adjustments to the height of the flooring devices where appropriate to accommodate unevenness in the substrate.

In traditional constructions it is common for concrete sub-floors to be uneven and outwith the relevant tolerances. There is generally a degree of stepping between adjacent units and a measure of longitudinal camber.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a system for quick and easy levelling of poor sub-floors.

It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a flooring system enabling a timber floating floor to be installed economically directly over uneven concrete sub-floors without the need for levelling screeds or awkward packing procedures. Such a system can be used as a support structure for ground floors and advantageously with the inclusion of acoustic flanking strips or acoustic quilt as an acoustic flooring system for party floors. Both can support both Domestic and Light Office loadings.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a floating flooring system over a solid subfloor, providing accommodation for services and offering resistance to transmission of impact and airborne sound.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flooring component comprising a saddle member adapted to be positioned upon a support means provided between a substrate and a flooring member(s) to be supported above the substrate, said saddle member comprising a plate member, said plate member being provided with flange means extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of the plate member and adapted to engage said support means in use, and four L-shaped brackets extending outwardly of a second, opposite, surface of said plate member from positions extending inwardly of marginal portions of the plate member, each L-shaped member having a right-angled corner portion and being arranged so that said corners face each other in a spaced apart manner so as to define a cruciform channel therebetween.

Advantageously, said saddle member may be moulded from stiffly/resiliently flexible plastics material.

Conveniently, packing pieces may be provided which are received in at least a portion of the cruciform channel so as to determine the depth to which elongate supports such as battens may be placed within the channel, thus varying the effective height of the support means positioned between the substrate and the flooring member(s).

Where a large number of packing pieces are used and the channel is, as a result, rendered unacceptably shallow, a saddle member with extended brackets may be required.

While said packing pieces may be rectangular, it may be found convenient if the pieces are cruciform in shape, since there is then no risk of the pieces becoming dislodged from the cruciform channel. However, it will be understood that an important reason for providing a cruciform channel is to enable the operator to use the saddle member to support a cross or through-batten to side surfaces of which abut end surfaces of battens laid at right-angles to the through-batten.

In one embodiment, one or more of the L-shaped brackets may be supported by a support member.

Advantageously the/each support member is provided on the second, opposite surface of the plate on an inner side of the respective L-shaped bracket.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a flooring system including a plurality of spaced flooring components, each flooring component comprising a saddle member adapted to be positioned upon a support means provided between a substrate and a flooring member(s) to be supported above the substrate, said saddle member comprising a plate member, said plate member being provided with flange means extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of the plate member and adapted to engage said support means in use, and four L-shaped brackets extending outwardly of a second, opposite, surface of said plate member from positions extending inwardly of marginal portions of the plate member, each L-shaped member having a right-angled corner portion and being arranged so that said corners face each other in a spaced apart manner so as to define a cruciform channel therebetween.

The packer may comprise a substantially planar member.

The packer may be of substantially rectangular form.

The packer may be of substantially rectangular form having first and second opposing lugs extending therefrom.

The packer may be of a substantially cruciform shape.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a packing piece for use in a flooring component, the flooring component comprising a saddle member having a channel for receiving the packing piece, the packing piece comprising a body having at least one resiliently flexible side portion, wherein, in use, the packing piece can be inserted into the channel from a side thereof.

The channel may be of cruciform shape.

First and second opposing side portions of the packing piece may be flexible.

The packing piece may be made from any suitable material, e.g. timber or plastics.

The first and second opposing side portions may be respectively carried on first and second legs.

The first and second legs may be spaced from and integral with a main body portion.

One or each leg may carry a locking means, for example, in the form of a wedge shaped notch, which allows insertion of the packing piece into the channel but seeks to prevent extraction thereof.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a flooring component comprising a saddle member, said saddle member comprising at least first and second brackets having a channel defined therebetween, at least one wall of said first or second brackets including a first portion of a locking means, a second portion of the locking means being carried by a packing piece insertable in the channel.

The/each first portion may comprise a recess or alternatively a nipple formed in a wall of a bracket.

The/each second portion may comprise a complimentary nipple or alternatively a recess carried on an edge of the insert.

Alternatively the/each first and second portions may respectively comprise a first wedge portion carried by a wall of the channel and an opposingly directed wedge portion carried on an edge of the packing piece.

The packing piece (insert) may be insertable into the channel from a first end thereof.

An end of the packing piece may be bigger than the breadth of the channel.

There now follows a description of an embodiment of a saddle member according to the present invention. It will be understood that the description which is intended to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only, and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a saddle member according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the saddle of Figure 1; Figures 3-5 are exploded perspective views of the saddle of Fig. 1 in use in various situations; Figure 6 is a top view of a saddle member according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a sectional side view of the saddle member of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a sectional end view of the saddle member of Fig. 6; Figure 9 is a side view of a saddle member according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a top plan view of a first packer for use with the saddle member of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of a second, cruciform packer for use with the saddle member of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a partial perspective view from above and to one side of a flooring system using a plurality of saddle members of Figure 9; Figure 13 is a further partial perspective view of the flooring system of Figure 12 providing access for services; Figure 14 is a partial end view of a further flooring system using the saddle member of Figure 9; Figure 15 is a partial end view of a yet further flooring system using the saddle member of Figure 9; Figure 16 is a top plan view of a packing piece according to an embodiment of the present invention located within a saddle; Figure 17 is a top plan view of the packing piece of Figure 16 in an alternative saddle; Figure 18 is a top plan view of a further packing piece according to an embodiment of the present invention located within a saddle; Figure 19 is a side view of the packing piece and saddle of Figure 18; Figure 20 is a top plan view of a yet further packing piece according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 21 is a top plan view of a yet further packing piece according to an embodiment of the present invention located with a saddle; and Figure 22 is a side view of the saddle of Figure 21.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a saddle member, generally designated 2, according to the present invention, moulded from suitable plastics material and comprising a plate member 4 a surface of which is provided with a downwardly extending flange means 6. It will be understood that the flange means may be discontinuous if preferred. Upstanding brackets 8 are provided on an opposite surface of the plate member 4, each bracket being L-shaped as may be seen from Figures 2-5 and arranged so as to provide a cruciform channel 10.

The brackets 8 which are, in this advantageous embodiment, moulded integrally with the plate member 4 may be of any selected height, A, B or C as will be explained below.

In use, the channel 10 will receive a batten, shown at 12 in broken lines in Figure 2 and in full lines in Figures 3 to 5 and where required will receive end portions of one, or two, batten(s) 14 which will each abut a side surface of the through-batten 12. As may be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the battens 12 are suitable for supporting conventional floor boards 16.

The flange means 6 are provided in order to engage with an upper portion of a support means which may be in the form of a panel 18 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 or a block 20 as shown in Figure 5. It may be found convenient to form the block 20 from two block portions laid side-by side to provide the necessary support. A layer of resilient material may be provided on a lower surface of the panel 18 or block 20 to contact the substrate S beneath. Alternatively the panel or block may be in direct contact with the substrate and a layer of resilient material may be laid in the cruciform channel 10.

The substrate S, e.g. a floor of a building structure, will therefore be necessary to vary the height of the assembly described above, so that an upper surface of the floor boards 16 will be level. Packing pieces may therefore be provided to be placed in the channel 10 to a depth sufficient to compensate for the unevenness of the substrate. In Figure 3, where a through-batten 12 is to be supported, one or more rectangular packing pieces 22 are suitable. However, in order to prevent accidental dislodgement of the piece 22, cruciform packing pieces 24 (Fig.4) may be preferred.

Packing pieces 24 are beneficially required, however, where, as in Figure 5, cross battens 14 are also to be supported by the block 20 and therefore a sufficient number of pieces 24 are used to provide the necessary heightwise dimension to the assembly.

In areas where there is a particularly deep depression in the substrate, it may be found that so many pieces 22 or 24 are needed that the channel 10 is rendered unduly shallow unless the brackets 8 are selected to have sufficient height, referring to Figure 1, say C rather than A or B. Saddle members 2 may be manufactured by a suitable moulding technique for example with appropriate portions of the mould cavity blanked off in the regions of the brackets 8 to produce brackets of a height corresponding to heights A, B or C as required. If preferred, where brackets are moulded to the height C, reinforcement may be provided outwardly of the bracket to resist unwanted flexing.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 8, there is shown a second embodiment of a saddle member 2a, according to the present invention. The saddle member 2a is substantially similar to the saddle member 2 of Figure 1, like parts being denoted by the same integers but suffixed with a??.

However, saddle member 2a further provides a tubular columnar support member 26a on an opposite surface of the plate member 4a adjacent each upstanding bracket 8a. Each support member 30a is attached to first and second legs of each respective L-shaped bracket 8a by first and second webs 35a, 40a.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 15, and initially to Figure 9, there is shown a third embodiment of a saddle member 2b, according to the present invention. The saddle member 2b is substantially similar to the saddle member 2 of Figure 1, like parts being denoted by the same integers but suffixed with "b".

Turning briefly to Figure 10 there is shown a first embodiment of a packer, packing piece or insert 22b' for use with the saddle 2b. The packer 22b' comprises a substantially planer member of substantially rectangular form carrying first and second longitudinally extending opposing lugs 45b, 50b.

Turning briefly now to Figure 11 there is shown a second embodiment of a packer 22b" for use with the saddle 2b. The packer 22b" comprises a substantially planar member of substantially cruciform shape.

A number of packers 22b', 22b" may be placed in combination within the saddle 2b to achieve levelling of uneven sub-floors. As no gluing of packers is normally required site installation is faster than alternative systems. The 22a", 22b" cruciform packers 22b" are available for saddles 2b where bearers run in both directions such as at perimeters or at access panels.

Packing is generally permissible up to 5 mm below the top of shoulders of the saddle 2b.

Turning now to Figures 9 and 12, a flooring member 16b is provided. The flooring member 16b may comprise 18mm or 22mm Type C4 Moisture Resistant Grade chipboard manufactured to BS 5669, tongued and grooved on all four sides and supplied in sheet size 2400 x 600mm, or alternatively WBP plywood tongued and grooved all round supplied in sheet size 2400 x 600mm.

The battens 12b, 14b may be softwood support bearers and are placed within the saddle 2b to support the following members 16b and can be preservative treated if required. They are normally supplied in 1800mm lengths for ease of handling and the standard bearer heights are 22mm, 36mm and 52mm.

The saddle plate member 4b may be 137 x 97mm and may be manufactured from tough injection moulded plastic with three different shoulder heights to accommodate the three standard battens 12b, 14b sizes. The ingenious design of the saddle plate 4b means that it can also support cross noggins at access panels and perimeter bearers. The saddle plate 4b is glued on top of the resilient saddle support 18b.

The saddle supports 18b may be variously manufactured from WBP plywood, oriented strand board (OSB) or softwood depending on the required floor height. All may have 9mm thick resilient acoustic foam adhered to the underside to assist impact sound resistance. A standard resilient saddle support 18b height is 15mm inclusive of foam.

The flooring system of the present invention is particularly advantageous in providing partial access to services as is illustrated in Figure 13. The saddle plate 4b is designed to accept battens 12b, 14b running in both directions where necessary to provide secure support for access panels 55b. Access panels 55b may be square edged and supported along all edges by battens 12b, 14b. The panels 55b may be secured, e.g. by screws.

Referring to Figures 14 and 15, two further embodiments of the flooring system are shown for use particularly on hollow concrete units. In the first of these further embodiments a flanking strip 60b is provided at the perimeter of the flooring system.

In this embodiment the flanking strip 60b comprises 5mm thick acoustic foam supplied in rolls 75m long, placed around the perimeter of the floor to prevent airborne sound leakage. A standard height is 100mm but this may be increased for higher floor elevations.

In the second of these further embodiments an acoustic quilt 65b is provided between adjacent battens. In this embodiment the acoustic quilt 65b comprises a 25mm thick acoustic mineral wool quilt, paper faced on one side and manufactured to a special heavy density to achieve maximum performance, supplied in rolls 1.2m wide x 10m long and laid between saddles to resist airborne sound transmission.

Referring now to Figures 16 and 17, there is illustrated a packing piece 34c according to an embodiment of the present invention. The packing piece 24c is adapted for use in a flooring component the flooring component comprising a saddle member 2c defining a channel 10c for receiving the packing piece 214c, the packing piece 24c comprising a body lOOc having at least one resiliently flexible side portion such that, in use, the packing piece 24c can be inserted into the channel lOc from a side (A or B) thereof.

In this embodiment the channel 10c is of cruciform shape.

First and second opposing long sides 105c, 110c of the packing piece 24c are flexible.

The first and second long sides 105c, 110c are respectively carried on first and second legs 115c, 120c, the first and second legs 115c, 120c being spaced from and integral with a main body 125c.

Each leg 115c, 120c carries a locking means, in the form of a wedge shaped notch 130c, which allows insertion of the packing piece 24c into the channel lOc but seeks to prevent extraction thereof.

Referring now to Figures 18 and 19, there is illustrated a flooring component and a packing piece 24d according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flooring component comprising a saddle member 2d, said saddle member 2d comprising at least first and second brackets 8d having a channel 10d defined therebetween, at least one wall of said channel 20d including a first portion 200d of a locking means, a second portion 205d of the locking means being carried by a packing piece 24d insertable in the channel 10d.

In this embodiment first portion 200d comprises a recess or aperture 210d formed in a wall of a bracket 8d.

While each second portion 205d comprises a complimentary nipple 215d carried on an edge of the packing piece 24e.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in Figure 20, each first and second portions 200, 205c respectively comprise a first wedge portion 220e carried by a wall of the channel 10e and a nipple 225c carried on an edge of the packing piece 24e.

The packing piece 24d, 24e (insert) is insertable into the channel 10d, 10c from a first end thereof.

Further an end 230d, 230e of the packing piece 24d, 24e is bigger than the breadth of the channel 10d, 10e.

Referring to Figures 20 and 21, there is illustrated a packing piece 24f according to a further embodiment of the present invention for use with a saddle member 2f.

The packing piece 24f has first and second opposing side portions 105e, 110e carried on first and second legs 115c, 120c which are spaced from and integral with a main body 125f.

Each leg 11if, 120f carries a locking means in the form of an inward facing first wedge shape notch 130c which allows insertion of the main body 125f into the channel 10f but seeks to prevent extraction thereof.

Each notch 130c co-acts, in use, with an opposite facing second wedge shaped notch 220f carried on an outer facing wall of a bracket 8f.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (31)

1. A flooring component comprising a saddle member adapted to be positioned upon a support means provided between a substrate and a flooring member(s) to be supported above the substrate, said saddle member comprising a plate member, said plate member being provided with flange means extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of the plate member and adapted to engage said support means in use, and four L-shaped brackets extending outwardly of a second, opposite, surface of said plate member from positions extending inwardly of marginal portions of the plate member, each L-shaped member having a right-angled corner portion and being arranged so that said corners face each other in a spaced apart manner so as to define a cruciform channel therebetween.

2. A flooring component as claimed in claim 1, wherein said saddle member is moulded from stiffly flexible plastics material.

3. A flooring component as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein packing pieces are provided which are received in at least a portion of the cruciform channel so as to determine the depth to which elongate supports such as battens are placed within the channel, thus varying the effective height of the support means positioned between the substrate and the flooring member(s).

4. A flooring component as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said packing piece(s) are substantially rectangular.

5. A flooring component as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said packing piece(s) are of substantially rectangular form having first and second opposing lugs extending therefrom.

6. A flooring component as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said packing piece(s) are of substantially cruciform shape.

7. A flooring component as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein one or more of the L-shaped brackets are supported by a respective support member.

8. A flooring component as claimed in claim 7, wherein the/each support member is provided on the second, opposite surface of the plate on an inner side of the respective L-shaped bracket.

9. A flooring system including a plurality of spaced flooring components, each flooring component comprising a saddle member adapted to be positioned upon a support means provided between a substrate and flooring member(s) to be supported above the substrate, said saddle member comprising a plate member, said plate member being provided with flange means extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of the plate member and adapted to engage said support means in use, and four L-shaped brackets extending outwardly of a second, opposite, surface of said plate member from positions extending inwardly of marginal portions of the plate member, each L-shaped member having a right-angled corner portion and being arranged so that said corners face each other in a spaced apart manner so as to define a cruciform channel therebetween.

10. A packing piece when used in a flooring component, the flooring component comprising a saddle member adapted to be positioned upon a support means provided between a substrate and a flooring member(s) to be supported above the substrate, said saddle member comprising a plate member, said plate member being provided with flange means extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of the plate member and adapted to engage said support means in use, and four L-shaped brackets extending outwardly of a second, opposite, surface of said plate member from positions extending inwardly of marginal portions of the plate member, each L-shaped member having a right-angled corner portion and being arranged so that said corners face each other in a spaced apart manner so as to define a cruciform channel therebetween.

11. A packing piece as claim in claim 10, wherein the packing piece comprises a substantially planar member.

12. A packing piece as claimed in either of claims 10 or 11, wherein the packing piece is of substantially rectangular form.

13. A packing piece as claimed in either of claims 10 or 11, wherein the packing piece is of substantially rectangular form having first and second opposing lugs extending therefrom.

14. A packing piece as claimed in either of claims 10 or 11, wherein the packer is of a substantially cruciform shape.

15. A flooring component as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, Figure 6 or Figures 9 to 15.

16. A flooring system as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14 or Figure 15.

17. A packing piece for use in a flooring component the flooring component comprising a saddle member having a channel for receiving the packing piece, the packing piece comprising a body having at least one resiliently flexible side portion wherein, in use, the packing piece can be inserted into the channel from a side thereof.

18. A packing piece as claimed in claim 17, wherein the channel is of cruciform shape.

19. A packing piece as claimed in claims 17 or 18, wherein first and second opposing side portions of the packing piece are flexible.

20. A packing piece as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the packing piece is made from any suitable material, e.g. timber or plastics.

21. A packing piece as claimed in any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the first and second opposing side portions are respectively carried on first and second legs.

22. A packing piece as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the first and second legs are spaced from and integral with a main body portion.

23. A packing piece as claimed in any of claims 17 to 22, wherein one or each leg carries a locking means, which allows insertion of the packing piece into the channel but seeks to prevent extraction thereof.

24. A flooring component comprising a saddle member, said saddle member comprising at least first and second brackets having a channel defined therebetween, at least one wall of said first or second brackets including a first portion of a locking means, a second portion of the locking means being carried by a packing piece insertable in the channel.

25. A flooring component as claimed in claim 24, wherein the/each first portion comprises a recess or nipple formed in a wall of a bracket.

26. A flooring component as claimed in either of claims 24 or 25, wherein the/each second portion comprises a complimentary nipple or recess carried on an edge of the insert.

27. A flooring component as claimed in claim 24, wherein the/each first and second portions respectively comprise a first wedge portion carried by a wall of the channel and an opposingly directed wedge portion carried on an edge of the packing piece.

28. A flooring component as claimed in any of claims 24 to 27, wherein the packing piece (insert) is insertable into the channel from a first end thereof.

29. A flooring component as claimed in any of claims 24 to 29, wherein an end of the packing piece is bigger than the breadth of the channel.

30. A packing piece as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 16 and 17, Figures 18 and 19, Figure 20, or Figures 21 and 22

31. A flooring component as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 18 and 19, Figure 20, or Figures 21 and 22.