|
(11) | EP 0 563 505 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Supporting framework for making suspended floors, scaffoldings and the like |
| (57) The present invention relates to a supporting framework (1) for making suspended
floors, scaffoldings and the like, characterized in that it comprises a plurality
of uprights (2), having a respective adjustable height bearing foot, and a plurality
of crosspieces (4), each of which can be engaged, by its longitudinal ends, with two
uprights (2), spaced from one another so as to provide a perimetrical support for
one side of the plate-like elements (10) of the floor. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a supportiong framework for making suspended floors, scaffoldings and the like.
[0002] As is known, for making suspended floors, scaffoldings and the like there are at present used supporting constructions which are supported on the floor slab and are provided with supporting crosspieces for the plate-like elements of the floor to be made, such as, for example, plates, tiles or the like.
[0003] In their assembled condition, the crosspieces provide a net construction the meshes of which have a size which corresponds to the size of the unit plate-like element of the floor to be made.
[0004] Each "mesh" is provided with supporting elements, thereon there are arranged the plate-like elements of the floor.
[0005] In making these supporting frameworks, an accuracy problem must be solved, relating to the accuracy of the location of the construction, mainly in those cases in which, as it frequently occurs, the floor slab supporting the supporting construction or framework is not perfectly flat.
[0006] In these cases, it is necessary to arrange, between the framework and the underlying floor slabs, compensating elements, of suitable thickness, adapted to compensate possible depressions of the floor slab.
[0007] As it should be apparent, this greatly increases the installation time and, accordingly, the floor making cost.
[0008] In several cases, moreover, as the floor slab is very uneven, it is practically impossible to lay the supporting construction without a preliminary levelling of the floor slab.
[0009] Moreover, the assembling of the several elements constituting the supporting framework requires a very high accuracy, in order to prevent an uneven laying of the plate-like elements constituting the floor.
[0010] With the available supporting frameworks, such an accuracy can not be obtained and it is frequently necessary to perform complex adjusting operations during the installation of the floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above disclosed drawbacks, by providing a supporting framework, for suspended floors, scaffoldings and the like, which can be installed in a very easy and quick way, also on uneven floor slabs.
[0012] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a supporting framework for floors which is specifically adapted to compensate uneveness of the floor slab, thereby assuring a perfect levelness of the floor being made.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a supporting framework which comprises a reduced number of component elements which can be assembled in a very quick and accurate way.
[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a supporting framework, for making suspended floors, scaffoldings and the like, characterized in that said framework comprises a plurality of uprights, each having an adjustable height bearing foot member, and a plurality of crosspieces, each of which can be engaged, at its end portions, with one of said uprights, spaced from one another, in order to provide a perimetrical support for a side of the plate-like elements of the floor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the supporting framework according to the present invention, will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the suspended floor supported by its supporting framework or construction;
Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged detail of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an upright having two crosspieces supporting a floor plate-like element;
Figure 4 is a top plan view illustrating an upright having two crosspieces;
Figure 5 is a further top plan view illustrating an upright having four crosspieces;
Figure 6 illustrates the connection of an uprioght and a crosspiece, as cross-sectioned through a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the upright;
Figure 7 is an elevation side view illustrating an upright including a plurality of crosspieces one of which is cross sectioned through a vertical plane;
Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the supporting framework, near an upright thereof, including stiffening bracket elements;
Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of uprights included in the subject framework;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cross-piece;
Figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating a stiffening bracket;
and
Figure 13 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a stiffening bracket.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the supporting framework according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated at the reference number 1, comprises a plurality of uprights 2 including each an adjustable height bearing foot member 3, and a plurality of crosspieces 4 which can be engaged, at their end portions, with the uprights 2.
[0017] More specifically, each upright 2 is provided with an upright body 4 formed by an extruded section member, comprising a hollow square cross-section, as well as four flat wings 5 extending outside of said body 4 at the simmetry axes of the extruded section.
[0018] The bearing or supporting foot member 3, as shown, is provided with a cylindric bottom, including a threaded rod 6 which is axially extended inside the upright 2 and is connected with a screw element formed in a block 7 affixed inside the body of the related upright 2.
[0019] The end portion of the rod 6 engaged inside the body of the upright 2, is provided with a recessed exagonal seat 8 which can be accessed from the top end of the upright, in order to allow the foot member 3 to turn about its axis, with respect to the upright, in order to provide a variation of the height of the assembly constituted by the upright 2 and bearing foot member 3.
[0020] Preferably the crosspieces 4 are also formed by extruded section members, having a pair of side wings 9 which are substantially coplanar, and being provided for supporting two plate-like elements 10 forming the floor, said plate-like elements 10 being arranged one near the other, and at least a bottom wing or leg 11 including a seat 12 which can be engaged with one of the wings 5 of the uprights 2.
[0021] Moreover, each crosspiece is also provided with a top leg 13, arranged between the two side legs 9, and extending, for the overall length of the crosspiece 4, in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the legs or wings 9.
[0022] The side legs 9 are connected, at their free end portions, with the underlaying bottom wing 11, through a shelf-like portion 14.
[0023] The longitudinal end portions of the side legs or wings 9 of the crosspieces 4 are beveled at 45°, so as to prevent the crosspieces from interfereing against one another as they are mounted on the wings 5 of the uprights.
[0024] As the spacing between the uprights is comparatively large, and a deflection of the crosspieces 4 is desired, stiffening brackets 15 can be used, adapted to be associated with the wings 5 of the uprights and supporting the crosspieces 4.
[0025] In this case, it is possible to provide uprights 2a including wings 5 which, at the free end portions thereof, are provided with guide enlarged portions 5a, to be engaged in corresponding T-shape recesses 17, formed at the end portions of the stiffening brackets 15 to be connected with the wings 5a.
[0026] The crosspieces 4, as well as the stiffening brackets 15 can be connected to the uprights 2, 2a by means of set screws 16.
[0027] The construction of the disclosed supporting framework is very simple, since, after having assembled the crosspieces 4 and uprights 2 or 2a and having arranged the framework on the floor slab, it is possible to quickly adjust the height of the several uprights so as to cause the crosspieces 4 to be perfectly flush with respect to one another and ready for receiving the plate-like elements 10 of the floor.
[0028] Either during or after the laying of the floor, moreover, one can easily adjust the previously made levelling, by causing the bearing foot member 3 to simply turn, said foot member being accessed easily from the top end portion of the upright 2.
[0029] From the above disclosure and the figures of the accompanying drawings, it should be apparent that the supporting framework according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
[0030] In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that the disclosed supporting framework can be also easily and quickly layed on uneven floor slabs, without the use of adjusting blocks.
1. A supporting framework, for making suspended floors, scaffoldings and the like, characterized
in that said framework comprises a plurality of uprights, each having an adjustable
bearing foot member, and a plurality of crosspieces, each of which can be engaged,
at its end portions, with one of said uprights, spaced from one another, in order
to provide a perimetrical support for a side of the plate-like elements of the floor.
2. A supporting framework, according to Claim 1, characterized in that each upright includes
an upricht body formed by an extruded section member having a hollow square cross-section
and four wings which extend outside of said body, at the simmetry axes of said extruded
section member, and being adapted to be engaged with said crosspieces.
3. A supporting framework, according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said bearing
foot member is provided with a bottom projecting from a longitudinal end of the upright
body and being provided with a threaded rod which axially extends in said upright
and being engaged with a nut screw provided on a block rigid with the body of the
upright.
4. A supporting framework, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that the end of the bearing foot member arranged in the upright has a recessed
hexagonal seat which can be accessed from the top end of the upright, in order to
change the height of the assembly comprising the upright and bearing foot member.
5. A supporting framework, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said crosspieces are formed by extruded section members having a pair of side
legs adapted to support two floor adjoining plate-like elements and at least a bottom
leg having a seat which can be engaged with one of the wings of the uprights.
6. A supporting framework, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said crosspieces have a top leg which longitudinally extends between the pair
of side legs.
7. A supporting framework, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that the wings of the uprights are provided, at their free end portions, with a
guide enlarged portion for a stiffening bracket which can be associated with the upright
and supporting at the bottom the crosspieces.