A SUPPORTING DEVICE

DISPOSITIF DE SUPPORT

English Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for supporting a number of surface
forming elements, for example a floor board or floor panel, in spaced apart
relationship from a substrate, for example a bearing floor structure, while
permitting air flow in the space between the element and the substrate,
characterized in that a beam profile (2) displays one web (3) substantially
parallel with the element and the substrate, and interconnecting two webs (4,
5) directed towards the substrate, that said two webs (4, 5) display
perforations or through holes (10) for permitting air flow between the element
and the substrate transversely of the beam profile (2), and that the ends of
said two webs (4, 5) are anchored on and/or in the substrate (1) with the aid
of loading forces and/or anchorage means.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif destiné à soutenir plusieurs éléments constitutifs de surfaces, par exemple une planche ou un panneau de plancher, de sorte qu'ils soient espacés par rapport à un substrat, par exemple un plancher poreur, et qui permet à l'air de s'écouler dans l'espace délimité par l'élément et le substrat. Le dispositif se caractérise par le fait qu'une poutre profilée (2) présente une âme (3) pratiquement parallèle à l'élément et au substrat et reliant deux âmes (4, 5) orientées vers le substrat. Lesdites âmes (4, 5) présentent des perforations ou des trous débouchants (10) destinés à permettre le passage de l'air entre l'élément et le substrat en direction transversale par rapport à la poutre profilée (2), et leurs extrémités sont ancrées sur et/ou dans le substrat (1) par l'intermédiaire de forces de chargement et/ou de dispositifs d'ancrage.

Claims

5
CLAIMS
1. A device for supporting a number of surface forming elements, for
example floor boards or floor panels, in spaced apart relationship from a
substrate, for example a bearing floor structure, while permitting air flow in
the space between the element and the substrate, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n
t h a t a beam profile (2) displays one web (3) substantially parallel with the
element and the substrate, and interconnecting two webs (4, 5) directed
towards the substrate, said two webs (4, 5) displaying perforations or
through holes (10) for permitting air flow between the element and the
substrate transversely of the beam profile (2); and that the ends of the two
webs (4, 5) are anchored on and/or in the substrate (1) with the aid of
loading forces and/ or anchorage means.
2. The device as claimed in Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in t h a t said
two webs (4, 5) make an angle of less than 90° with the web (3) which
interconnects them and which is substantially parallel with the element and
the substrate.
3. The device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the
ends of said two webs (4, 5) display a foot portion (6, 7), which extend
parallel with the interconnecting web (3) and in a direction from one another
out from the longitudinal centre plane of the profile (2).
4. The device as claimed in Claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the foot
portions display an angle of substantially 90° to the edge portion (8, 9)extending to the interconnecting web.
5. The device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims,
c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the perforations or through holes (10) are of
the same type as in expanded metal.
6. The device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims,
c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the interconnecting web (3) displays
weakened portions, perforations and/ or through holes.

6
7. The device as claimed in any of the preceding Claims,
c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the beam profile (2) is manufactured in a
machine for the manufacture of expanded metal.

Description

CA 02217~31 1997-10-06
W 096/31668 PCT/SE~ 0~00
A SUPPORTING DEVICE
The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble of
appended Claim 1.
Above all in recent years, a growing need has developed for an auxiliary aid
for a new flooring structure which may also be employed in many other
contexts than flooring structures. Naturally, it is of particular importance if
this auxiliary aid can be used for the purpose of improving the dwelling
10 environment by permitting, for example, the cleansing of so-called sick
buildings, in which it is desirable to improve the removal of damp, by better
air circulation between bearing and surface covering structures.
The task forming the basis of the present invention is to satisfy the above-
1~ outlined needs.
This task is solved according to the present invention in the device disclosedby way of introduction in that this device has been given the characterizing
realules as set forth in appended Claim 1.
A device according to the present invention realises a structural element
which, at reasonable cost, permits the replacement of existing floors,
irrespective of the bearing flooring structure, by means of a floor structure
which permits the provision of floor heating in an economical manner. A
25 floor structure embodying a device according to the present invention
permits the circulation of relatively large air volumes both longitudinally
and transversely of the beam profiles. Thanks to the beam profiles according
to the present invention, for suitable heating of the space above the floor
structure, the air need not be at a particularly high tempeLalu~e, because the
30 structure permits the circulation of heated air. It has proved to be sufficient
employing as low air temperatures as approximately 40~C for achieving the
desired room temperature. This is a major advantage, since such a
temperature is ideal in the production of the heating air using an air heater
pump. Given that the profile is manufactured in accordance with the
3 5 expanded metal principle, the device according to the present invention will

CA 02217~31 1997-10-06
W 096/31668 PCT/SE96~C1~v
be an extremely economical aid which will be attractive for use in, for
example, the cleansing of sick buildings.
One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in greater
5 detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanying Drawing. Fig. 1
shows a schematic side elevation of one embodiment of the device according
to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an end elevation of the embodiment of
Fig.1.
10 The prototype of a device according to the present invention shown on the
Drawing is intended for employment in a wooden floor structure with
wooden beams 1 upstanding on edge. A profile beam 2 is placed on the
wooden flooring beams 1, and this profile beam 2 may be manufactured by a
profile rolling of sheet metal. The profile beam 2 displays one web 3 parallel
15 with the upper side of the flooring beam 1, and two webs 4 and 5 extending
out from the longitudinal edges thereof, these webs 4 and 5 being directed
towards the upwardly facing edge surface of the wooden beam 1. The angle
between the intelco~ulecting web 3 and the webs 4 and 5 is less than 90~. In
one prototype, it has proved to be suitable to employ an angle of
20 approximately 45~. However, it should be emphasised most strenuously that
the angle between the web 3 and the webs 4 and 5 may be of any given
figure which is less than 90~. However, it is deemed advantageous if the
angle is equal to or greater than 45~.
25 The longitudinal edges of the webs 4 and 5 are bent outwardly from the
longitudinal centre plane of the profile beam 2 for the formation of foot
portions 6 and 7. The width of the foot portions 6 and 7 will, of course,
depend upon the other dimensions of the profile beam and the thickness of
the wooden flooring beam 1 in those cases when the profile beam 2 is to be
30 employed in the manner shown on the Drawing. In this case, the
longitudinal edge of the foot portions 6 and 7 is bent at an angle of 9Q~ to thefoot portions 6 and 7, for forming edge portions 8 and 9.
On loading of the profile beam 3 with loads directed from above towards the
3 5 wooden flooring beams 1, the edge portions 8 and 9 will be urged in towards
the wooden flooring beams 1, whereby no specific anchorage will be

CA 02217~31 1997-10-06
W 096131668 p~sEss/ao r
required, nor any specific devices for anchoring the profile beam 2 on the
wooden flooring beam 1. However, there is nothing to prevent the profile
beam 2 from being fixed onto the wooden beam 1 by means of, for example
screws or nails through the foot portions 6 and 7 and/ or the edge portions 8
J 5 and9.
In those cases when the angle between the web 3 and the webs 4 and 5 is
relatively slight, the anchorage forces will be so great that no specific
anchorage device is required. In such cases, the parts 8 and 9 may also be
10 made relatively short. The length of the parts 8 and 9 is naturally dependant upon the requisite or desired method of anchorage.
When the bearing floor structure on which the profile beams 2 are to be
placed consists of concrete, it is not necessary to provide any specific
1~; anchorage devices if the profile beams 2 are pressed down into the concrete
while this is still in a fresh state pel,.lillillg the downward pressing of the
edge portions 8 and 9 into the concrete. Anchorage into a concrete floor
structure may be improved if holes or perforations are provided in the edge
portions 8 and 9.
The obliquely inclined webs 4 and 5 display a number of perforations or
through holes which, in Fig. 1, are illustrated by means of a hatched panel
10. These through holes or perforations 10 serve to permit air circulation
transversely of the profile beams. One or more such or similar panels 10 may
2 5 also be provided in the web 3.
The profile 2 may suitably be manufactured from sheet metal in an
expanded metal machine, which makes possible the employment of
relatively thin material without any reduction in the desired mechanical
30 strength and callyillg capacity. The profile beam 2 according to the present
invention will obviously be capable of replacing per se known conventional
floor joists and thereby permit air circulation without any restrictions
whatever. The costs may moreover be minimised in that the profile beam 2
according to the present invention is manufactured in the form of an
35 expanded metal construction, since, in such an event, it is possible to

CA 02217531 1997-10-06
W 096/31668 PCT/SE96/00~00
minimise material consumption without in any way needing to reduce
mechanical strength and other similar properties.
Many modifications of the embodiment of the present invention as described
S in the foregoing are naturally possible without departing from the spirit and
scope of the inventive concept as defined in the appended Claims.

Representative Drawing