[0001] The present invention relates to the building industry field and it refers to a modular
floor.
[0002] There are known floors carried out by cement concrete jets on structures made by
girders or rafters and hollow flat tiles.
[0003] A drawback of said floors consists in that they need support bearing structures till
the consolidation of the concrete.
[0004] Other drawback consists in that the upper surface of said floors becomes very irregular
and it needs the placing of thick layer of concrete.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to propose a self-supporting modular floor,
or that it does not need supporting structure and that it is practicable in very short
time.
[0006] Other object is to propose a floor with the very regular and virtually perfectly
horizontal upper surface.
[0007] Further object is to propose a floor whose lower surface comprises a finishing slab.
[0008] Further object is to propose a floor which is thermally and/or acoustic isolated.
[0009] The characteristics of the invention are underlined in the following with particular
reference to the attached drawings, in which:
- figure 1 shows an axonometric, partial and sectioned view of the modular floor object
of the present invention;
- figures 2 - 5 show respectively top, side, front and axonometric partial views of
a supporting section-bar of figure 1;
- figures 6 - 8 show respectively top, side and axonometric views of a slab means of
figure 1;
- figures 9 and 10 show respectively front and axonometric views of particulars of figure
1 in which are partially represented two or one supporting section-bars with respective
slab means in mutual connection;
- figures 11 - 14 show respectively front, side, top and axonometric views of supporting
means of figure 1;
- figures 15 and 16 show respectively front and axonometric views of a levelling guiding
means of figure 1;
- figures 17 - 19 show front, top and axonometric views of a particular of figure 1
comprising a supporting means, levelling guiding means and a reinforcement net;
- figures 20 - 23 show respectively front, top views and two axonometric views from
opposite point of view of a closing means for an end of a supporting section-bar;
- figure 24 show partial axonometric view of a variant of the closing means of figure
20;
- figure 25 shows a partial and axonometric view of some elements of the floor setup
and supported by a beam;
- the figures from 26 to 28 show respectively partial axonometric, front and partial
side views of pulling means of the floor.
[0010] With reference to the figures 1 - 28, numeral 1 indicates the modular floor of the
present invention comprising a set of supporting section-bars 2 placed mutually parallel
and with ends laid on T-beams, one of which is illustratively shown in figures 24
and 25, of a structure for example made of steel and/or reinforced concrete, to be
equipped with the floor.
[0011] Each supporting section bar 2 has a transversal section approximately in "U"-shaped
with respective lateral borders 4 turned to the outside, defining a plane.
[0012] The free longitudinal ends of the lateral borders 4 are equipped with edges 5 bended
at 90° in direction and orientation in accordance with that of the central portion
of the "U", in other words, in the assembled condition, the edges 5 are oriented upwards.
The flanks 6 of the supporting section-bar 2, corresponding to the sides of the central
portion of the "U"-shaped section, are flat, mutually parallel and joined at a flat
bottom 7 of the "U", by means of connection portions 8 flat and at 45° or curved.
[0013] In order to improve the grip and the keeping with eventual concrete jets, the longitudinal
edges of each supporting section-bar 2 can be equipped with respective anchorages
90 each comprising a peripheral folded border which extends itself starting from the
edge 5 bended at 90° of the corresponding lateral border 4.
[0014] Each supporting section-bar 2 is fit to be assembled to form the floor with the "U"-section
upside down, in other words with the concavity turned down.
[0015] Said supporting section-bars 2 are preferably made by bended metallic sheet or slabs,
for instance 1,5 mm (15/10 of mm) thick or anyway having a thickness adapted to the
load, or, in alternative, made by made of reinforced concrete or other building materials
and the like.
[0016] The supporting section-bar 2 are equipped with respective slab means 10 having almost
the same transversal dimension of a set of supporting section-bars 2, for example
the transversal dimension of a slab means 10 can be double of the transversal dimension
of a section-bar 2; said slab means 10 being fixed to the lateral borders 4 of the
respective supporting section-bars 2. Each slab means 10 is placed along the longitudinal
direction of the supporting section-bars 2.
[0017] It's provided that the longitudinal dimension of the slab means 10 is a little bit
smaller than that of the respective supporting section-bars 2 whose ends protrude
slightly and symmetrically from said slab means 10 for the direct support by a girder
of the structure.
[0018] The floor can comprise a plurality of spacer means and insulating means, for example
consisting of polyethylene slabs or ribbons with a thickness of about 13 mm, interposed
between the slab means 10 and the lateral borders 4 of the supporting section-bars
2.
[0019] The invention provides that the supporting section-bar 2 could be carried out in
some standardized transversal dimensions and that it and the slab means 10 can be
cut in factory, or in another place, at the opportune length for the structure in
which the floor should be assembled.
[0020] It is also provided that the slab means can be fixed, for example with suitable screws,
to the respective supporting section-bars 2 in factory, or in other place before the
transport to the place for final use or also directly in building yard.
[0021] The floor comprises also a plurality of transversal connection means 70, consisting
of, for example, metallic section-bars with rectangular or "O"(omega)-shaped section,
fixed to the lateral borders 4 and positioned almost orthogonally to the supporting
section-bars 2 for all the transversal width of the floor to fasten e stiffen it.
[0022] The floor comprises a plurality of support members 11, made of cut and shaped sheet,
equipped with respective fixing means 16 fixed, for example by welding, to the longitudinal
middle portions of the supporting section-bars 2 that are higher in the assembled
condition of the floor 1.
[0023] Each fixing means 16 can comprise, for example, a horizontal fin equipped with one
or more holes for welding or for screwing to the own supporting section-bar 2.
[0024] Each support member 11 has at least a first seat 12, for example, consisting of a
slot opened upward, for a weft or warp member of an upper reinforcing net 13, for
example an electrum-welded net for reinforced concrete works or the like.
[0025] Each support member 11 has furthermore at least a second seat 14 for a levelling
guiding means 15, higher than the reinforcing net 13, transversal to the supporting
section-bars 2 and extending itself till the whole transversal dimension of the floor.
The second seat can be obtained from a horizontal portion of the support member 11
with the lateral edges bended upward to form a complementary housing to the levelling
guide. The first seat can be obtained in a vertical portion of the support member
11 interposed between the horizontal portions of fixing means 16 and of the second
seat.
[0026] Each levelling guiding means 15 consists of a channel bar made of bended and cut
iron plate whose transversal section is rectangular, or "C", or the like shaped.
[0027] The support members 11 are fixed at equidistant manner above the respective supporting
section-bar and with the first seat 12 and the second seat 14 aligned to a line transversal
to the longitudinal axis of the supporting section-bar 2.
[0028] The floor comprises a plurality of closing means 17 almost flat and having plant
shape almost equal to the transversal section of the concavities of the supporting
section-bars 2.
[0029] Said closing means 17 are fit to be blocked to the ends of the supporting section-bars
2.
[0030] The closing means 17 can have respective supporting means 18 that, in the support
condition of supporting section-bars 2 to the beams, protrude longitudinally from
the ends of said supporting section-bars 2 and match the beams supporting said section-bars
2 on said beams as shown in figures 24 and 25.
[0031] The closing means 17 and supporting means 18 are made of metal and are mutually welded
and screwed by means of nuts and bolts.
[0032] Figure 24 shows a possible variant of the closing means 17 constituted by a plate
or slab having elongated rectangular form, extending on the ends of several supporting
section-bars 2. Said closing means 17 can be blocked to the ends of several supporting
section-bars 2 to close the end or the ends. The longitudinal edges of the closing
means 17 are folded in the same direction to carry out matching wings for the supporting
section-bars 2.
[0033] The floor comprises reinforcement means 20, for example consisting of lattices or
cages made of steel rods for reinforced concrete and having almost the same length
of the supporting section-bars 2.
[0034] The reinforcement means 20 are positioned between pairs of adjacent supporting section-bars
2.
[0035] The floor comprises a concrete casting 60, or the like, fit to occupy the volume
comprised among the supporting section-bars 2 and the levelling guiding means 15.
The closing means prevent the concrete enter into the longitudinal cavities of the
supporting section-bars. In alternative, it is possible to allow the concrete to occupy
said cavities by using perforated closing means or not using them
[0036] The levelling guiding means 15 allow to flatten and to smooth perfectly and quickly
the concrete operating as sliding guides for a levelling shaft or other means to smooth
and to flatten the concrete.
[0037] Optionally, it is also provided to insert insulating means insertion, for example,
polyurethane or polyester or polystyrene foam or rock wool, into the cavities of the
supporting section-bars 2.
[0038] As shown in figures 26 - 28, each of the reinforcement means 20 can comprise at least
a tie-rod 80 set into the longitudinal cavity between two supporting section-bars
and whose ends are connected, by means of respective coupling 81, to the ends of one
or both of the two adjacent supporting section bar 2. One or both couplings 81 are
equipped with tensioning means 82 of the tie-rod 80, for example of screw type.
[0039] The floor is provide with, for each tie-rod 80, at least one bending means 83 connected
to an intermediate portion of one or of two supporting section-bars 2.
[0040] The bending means, for example consisting of a pulley or of an eyelet equipped with
a short fixing arm on the supporting section-bars 2, it is blocked by the respective
harm in a out of alignment position in respect to the geometric line joining the couplings
81. Said misalignment is in the direction of the loading force acting on the floor.
[0041] In such manner, the tension of the tie-rod transmits to the middle portion of the
floor a force directly upward which can contrast the bending downward of the floor
reducing the rise thereof
[0042] Preferably the tensioning means 82 are of adjustable type for adjusting the pulling
tension of the tie-rod 80.
[0043] An advantage of the present invention is to provide a self- supporting modular floor
namely that it does not need supporting structures and that it is practicable in short
time.
[0044] Other advantage is to provide a floor with the upper surface very regular and virtually
perfectly horizontal.
[0045] Further advantage is to provide a floor whose lower surface is finished and dose
not need plastering.
[0046] Other advantage is to provide a floor comprising, in particular in its lower portion,
cavities for housing technological nets.
[0047] Further advantage is to supply a thermally and/or acoustic isolated floor.
1. Modular floor characterized in that it comprises a set of supporting section-bars (2) fit to be positioned mutually parallel
and with the ends supported by beams of a structure to be equipped with the floor,
were each supporting section-bar (2) has a transversal section approximately "U"-form
shaped.
2. Floor according to claim 1 characterized in that the each "U"-shaped supporting section bar (2) is made of metallic sheet or slab
bended with the respective lateral borders (4) turned to outside, defining a plane
and equipped with edges (5) bended at 90° in same direction and orientation of the
central portion of the "U"; the flanks (6) of the supporting section-bar (2), corresponding
to the sides of the central portion of the "U" section, are flat, mutually parallel
and joined at the flat bottom (7) of the "U" by means of connection portions (8) approximately
at 45° or curved; each supporting section-bar (2) being assembled to form the floor
with the "U"-section upside down with the concavity turned downwards.
3. Floor according to claim 2 characterized in that it comprises at least a slab means (10) having transversal dimension approximately
equal to that of one or more supporting section-bars (2) and connected to the lateral
borders (4) of said supporting section-bar (2) or supporting section-bars (2).
4. Floor according to claim 3 characterized in that at least one slab means (10) has approximately the same longitudinal dimension of
the supporting section-bars (2) and the floor comprises a plurality of spacer means
and insulating means interposed between the slab means (10) and the lateral borders
(4) of the respective supporting section-bars (2).
5. Floor according to claim 3 characterized in that at least one slab means (10) has the longitudinal dimension slightly shorter than
that of the respective supporting section-bars (2) whose ends protrude slightly and
symmetrically from said slab means (10).
6. Floor according to any of preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a plurality of transversal connection means (70) fixed to the lateral
borders (4) and positioned in almost orthogonal manner to the supporting section-bars
(2) of the floor.
7. Floor according to any of preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a plurality of support members (11) blocked at the median upper portions
of the supporting section-bars (2) in the assembled condition of these htter to form
the floor (1); each support member (11) has fixing means (16) for the fixing it, for
example by means of welding or screwing, on it own supporting section bar (2), each
support member (11) has at least a first seat (12) for a weft or warp member of an
upper reinforcing net (13) and at least one second seat (14) for a levelling guiding
means (15) higher than the reinforcing net (13) and consisting of a channel bar whose
transversal section is rectangular, or "C", or the like shaped, having length corresponding
to the length of the respective supporting section-bar (2).
8. Floor according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a plurality of closing means (17) almost flat and having the plant shape
almost equal to the transversal section of the concavities of the supporting section-bars
(2) or having rectangular elongated form and having length equal to the transversal
dimension of one or preferably more supporting section-bars (2); each of said closing
means (17) being fit to be blocked to the ends of one or more supporting section-bars
(2) to close the end or ends thereof
9. Floor according to claim 8 characterized in that the closing means (17) have respective protruding supporting means (18) that, in
the supporting condition of the supporting section-bars (2) by the beams, interconnect
the ends of said supporting section-bars (2) to said beams.
10. Floor according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises reinforcement means (20) with length almost equal to the length of the
supporting section-bars (2) and positioned beside them.
11. Floor according to claim 10 characterized in that it comprises a concrete casting (60) or the like fit to fill the volume comprised
among the supporting section-bars (2) and the levelling guiding means (15).
12. Floor according to claim 5 characterized in that it comprises insulating means inserted inside the concavities of the supporting section-bars
(2).
13. Floor according to claim 10 characterized in that each of reinforcement means (20) comprises a tie-rod (80) whose ends are connected,
at least by means of couplings (81), to the ends of at least one supporting section-bar
(2); at least one of the couplings (81) is equipped with tensioning means (82) for
tensioning the tie-rd (80).
14. Floor according to claim 13 characterized in that it comprises for each tie-rod (80) at least one bending means (83) connected to an
intermediate portion of at least one supporting section-bar (2), said bending means
(83) being out of alignment in respect to the geometrical line joining the couplings
(81) in accordance with the direction of the loading acting on the floor.
15. Floor according to claim 13 characterized in that the tensioning means (82) are of adjustable type for adjusting the tensioning of
the respective tie-rod (80).
16. Floor according to claim 1 characterized in hat the longitudinal edges of each supporting section-bar (2) have respective anchorages
(90) each comprising a bended peripheral border.