PEDESTAL FOR SUPPORTING AN ELEVATED SURFACE AND ASSEMBLY OF SUCH PEDESTALS AND AN ELEVATED SURFACE

Abstract

 A pedestal for supporting an elevated surface comprising boards or tiles mounted on a supporting frame of battens or joists, the pedestal comprising:
a) a base configured to be placed on an underlying surface;
b) a carrying plate having means for engaging with a batten or joist of the elevated surface and defining means for rotatably engaging with
c) an intermediate portion engaging with both the base and the carrying plate and allowing varying the distance between the base portion and the carrying plate along a longitudinal axis X-X;
the pedestal having a predominantly tubular cross section extending around a longitudinal axis X-X that defines the center line of the pedestal,
characterised in that said carrying plate comprises three distinct engaging structures each configured to engage with a batten or joist, wherein the three engaging structures are positioned in a triangular configuration, the center of the defined triangle positioned within a circle having a center coinciding with the longitudinal axis X-X and a radius equal to 50% of the radius of the tubular cross section of the pedestal.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention concerns a pedestal for supporting an elevated surface such as a terrace, comprising boards or tiles mounted on a supporting frame of battens or joists, the pedestal comprising:

a) a base configured to be placed on an underlying surface;

b) a carrying plate having means for engaging with a batten or joist of the elevated surface and defining means for rotatably engaging with

c) an intermediate portion engaging with both the base and the carrying plate and allowing varying the distance between the base portion and the carrying plate along a longitudinal axis X-X;

the pedestal having a predominantly tubular cross section extending around a longitudinal axis X-X that defines the center line of the pedestal.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Pedestals are known in a large variety of embodiments, yet in general the commercially successful embodiments comprise:

a) a base portion configured to be placed on an underlying surface;

b) a carrying plate having means for engaging with a batten or joist of the elevated surface and defining means for rotatably engaging with

c) an intermediate portion engaging with both the base portion and the carrying plate and allowing varying the distance between the base portion and the carrying plate along a longitudinal axis X-X.

[0003] It is common to for the intermediate portion and the base portions to engage by means of a screw thread, allowing varying the distance between the base portion and the carrying plate by rotation of the intermediate portion in view of the base portion.

[0004] A distinguishing feature between most pedestals is the configuration of the so-called carrying plate whereon the battens or joists of the surface frame rest. In eg. DE102013109845 the carrying plate is provided with two parallel guide walls in between which a batten or joist of a certain width can be provided. By centring the batten or joist between these guide walls, one is sure that batten or joist rests centrally on the pedestal, spreading the weight of the elevated surface equally over the entire pedestal, thereby minimising failure or tipping over of the pedestal. In for example DE102013019133 the means for engaging with a batten or joist on the carrying plate consist of elastically deformable clips configured to snap in a groove provided in a batten of joist, thereby securing the batten or joist to the carrying plate in a correct (central) position.

[0005] Such known carrying plates are configured to engage with one single batten or joist or can receive the adjacent end portions of two battens or joists positioned longitudinally in line.

[0006] DE202015008251 discloses a pedestal having a carrying plate configured to receive the end portions of two joists or battens extending under a fixed angle of 90° in view of one another.

[0007] When installing an elevated surface, the ground surface itself is often not square, which results in the need for providing additional pedestals and battens for a support frame for the elevated surface to provide sufficient support upto the edges of the elevated surface. Depending on the exact geometry of the ground surface and the final elevated surface, this may require providing pedestals at rather short mutual distances, much shorter than the distances required for sufficient stability and support for the elevated surface. This not only results in extra material cost, but more importantly in additional work time and planning.

[0008] From the above it is clear that there remains a market need for pedestals and assemblies of pedestals and an elevated surface that allow for easy adapting the geometry of a support frame carried by the pedestals to a geometry matching a ground surface.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention addresses this market need by providing a pedestal for supporting an elevated surface comprising boards or tiles mounted on a supporting frame of battens or joists, the pedestal comprising:

a) a base configured to be placed on an underlying surface;

b) a carrying plate having means for engaging with a batten or joist of the elevated surface and defining means for rotatably engaging with

c) an intermediate portion engaging with both the base and the carrying plate and allowing varying the distance between the base portion and the carrying plate along a longitudinal axis X-X;

the pedestal having a predominantly tubular cross section extending around a longitudinal axis X-X that defines the center line of the pedestal,
characterised in that said carrying plate comprises three distinct engaging structures each configured to engage with a batten or joist, wherein the three engaging structures are positioned in a triangular configuration, the center of the defined triangle positioned within a circle having a center coinciding with the longitudinal axis X-X and a radius equal to 50% of the radius of the tubular cross section of the pedestal.

[0010] By providing three distinct engaging structures on the carrying plate, which are positioned to have the center of gravity of the triangle (with even loads on each engaging structure), the possibility is created to engage different joists or battens under varying angles on the carrying plate, without jeopardising the stability of the pedestal. As a result, a frame of battens or joists can be created with an irregular geometry with a minimum of pedestals.

[0011] The present invention also concerns an assembly of pedestals and joists or battens for supporting an elevated surface of boards or tiles, comprising a plurality of pedestals as identified in claim 1 and frame of joists or battens mounted thereon for receiving said boards or tiles.

Detailed Summary of the Invention

[0012] The main features of a pedestal and assembly according to the present invention are set forth in the appended independent claims, whereas features of preferred embodiments are claimed in the appended dependent claims.
are The engaging structures of the pedestal according to the invention are preferably configured as mushroom like protrusions extending from the carrying plate in a direction parallel to the X-axis.

[0013] Theintermediate portion and the base preferably engage by means of a screw thread, allowing varying the distance between the base portion and the carrying plate by rotation of the intermediate portion in view of the base portion.

[0014] The joist or battens comprising a mounting groove or slot extending longitudinally along one of its side surfaces and configured to engage with one or two of said three distinct engaging structures of different carrying plates.

[0015] In an assembly according to the present invention, joists or battens engaging with a single carrying plate may extend under an angle alfa in view of one another, with alfa ranging between 5 to 85°.

[0016] Two distinct batten or joists may engage with one and the same carrying plate, the first joist or batten engaging with two engaging structures and the second joist or batten engaging with a third engaging structure.

[0017] The joists or battens are preferably made of a metallic material, in particular aluminum, while the pedestals are preferably made in a polymeric material, such as PE.

[0018] The joists or battens preferably comprise a mounting groove on two opposed surfaces, preferably on two pairs of opposed surfaces.

[0019] Further the assembly may comprise mounting plugs that are configured, on the one hand, to be friction fitted in one of the grooves of the joists or battens and on the other hand to engage with a board or tile to be positioned on the frame of joists or battens.

Brief Description of the Appended Figures

[0020] 

Fig. 1 and 1a illustrate one assembled and one exploded view of a pedestal in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a more detailed view of a carrying plate of a pedestal according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates a more detailed view of a engaging structure on the carrying plate of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4-7 illustrate different assembly steps of an assembly of pedestals and joists defining a support frame for an elevated surface;

Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of a pedestal its engagement with joists and boards of an elevated surface.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the present Invention

[0021] Figures land 1b illustrate a pedestal 1 in accordance with the present invention, comprising a base 2, a carrying plate 3 and an intermediate portion 4 situated between and engaging with both the base portion 2 and the carrying plate 3.

[0022] The base 2 is configured to be placed on an underlying surface and comprises a base plate 5 to contact the underlying surface and a uprising section that in this case is defines a hollow tubular section 6 with a screw thread at its outer surface. Clearly the screw thread can also be provided on the inner surface without departing from the present invention. The hollow tubular section 6 having a center line along an X-axis.

[0023] The intermediate portion 4 in this case comprises a hollow tube 7, having a threaded portion at its inner surface, this threaded portion of the intermediate portion configured to cooperate with the threaded portion of the base 2, allowing to screw the intermediate portion on or off the base in the X-direction.

[0024] The carrying plate 3, in this case comprises a web 8 whereon on one surface a tubular skirt 9 is provided, this skirt configured to engage with the hollow tube 7 of the intermediate portion 4 and as such extends with its center line on the X-axis; and whereon on the opposed surface three distinct engaging structures 10 are provided or defined. The skirt 9 of the carrying plate and the hollow tube 7 of the intermediate portion preferably engage by a clips mechanism, realizing a connection fixed in the X-direction, without preventing rotation of the carrying plate versus the intermediate portion in a direction around the X-axis.ln accordance with the invention, the three engaging structures are positioned in a triangular configuration such that, when equally loaded in an X-direction, the center of gravity coincides with or is situated close to the X-axis, in particular, the center of the defined triangle is positioned within a circle having a center coinciding with the longitudinal axis X-X and a radius equal to 50%, preferarbly 25% of the radius of the tubular cross section of the pedestal, i.e. the circle defined by the cross section of the hollow tubular section 6 of the base 2.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment and as shown in more detail in figure 2, the engaging structures 10 comprise protruding elastically deformable clips configured to engage in a groove of a batten or joist to snuggly fix the batten or joist on the carrying plate 3.

[0026] As illustrated in figure 3, the protruding clips are preferably circular in shape, with a central stem 11 whereon a plurality of protruding and a downwardly extending skirt elements 13, the skirt elements 13 together positioned in a circular pattern circumscribing the stem 11. The skirts defining the actual elastically deformable clips.

[0027] Clearly, the engaging structures can be executed in numerous alternative manners without departing from the scope of the invention. In fact, the engaging structures can even be formed as holes or slots in the carrying plate, wherein plugs provided on a joist or batten can engage.

[0028] Further, as illustrated in figures 2 and 3, the clips 10 are in this case made as functional entities separate from the carrying plate and can be locked on or to the carrying plate. Again, such execution is only exemplary as the clips can be made in one single piece with the carrying plate or fixed to the carrying plate is different manners without altering the functionality of the carrying plate.

[0029] The pedestal according to the present invention is preferably manufactured in a polymeric material such as a polyolefin (eg. polyehtylene or polypropylene); a block polymer (eg. ABS or SBS); POM; or PVC.

[0030] Figures 5 and 6, show the interaction between joists 14 or battens and the pedestal. The joists or battens, further referred to as joists, are in this case elongated extruded profiles in metal (eg. aluminum) or a polymeric material (potentially reinforced) that are due to be positioned such as to create a frame whereon boards or tiles of an elevated surface are to be placed. Alternatively, the joists can be manufactured in wood.

[0031] In this case, the joists 14 comprise at least one mounting groove 15 extending longitudinally along one of the surfaces of the joists. Such mounting groove is preferably provided at two opposed sides of the joist, rendering the joist reversible, or even more preferably along the four sides of a joist having a square cross section as is the case in the embodiment illustrated in Figs 4 and 5. The mounting groove is configured to engage with the engaging structures 10 of the carrying plate. In this case, the mounting groove is defined by two opposed undercuts 16 that are spaced apart and dimensioned to mate with the clips of the carrying plate, with the skirts 13 snuggly fitting in the undercuts 16 as illustrated in detail in Fig. 5.

[0032] As illustrated in fig. 6 a joist can engage either two of the clips of a carrying plate or only one of the clips. Clearly, one single joist is meant to engage with the clips of at least two and more often a plurality of pedestals such as to create a frame.

[0033] By designing the engaging structures in an overall rounded form, a joist that engages a single clips of a carrying plate can be angled in a plane parallel to plane wherein the elevated surface is meant to extend. As such a maximum flexibility is provided for configuring the frame of joists corresponding to the outline of the intended elevated surface with a minimum of pedestals and a minimum of joists (in accordance with and without jeopardising the stability and supporting properties of the frame). Clearly, a variation of the angle of two joists engaging a single carrying plate can also be achieved by non-rounded clips, yet maybe not step-less (eg by octogonal clips). Alternatively, the engaging structures of the carrying plate may be configured as slots or holes in the carrying plate, while the joists are provided with protruding pens engaging with the slots or holes in the carrying plate.

[0034] In practice, to assemble a frame for supporting an elevated surface, one would first set out a number of pedestals at predetermined mutual distances to form a plurality of rows and columns as illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0035] Next, as shown in Fig. 5a, 5b and 6a and 6b, joists are clipped onto the pedestals to create a frame such as illustrated in Fig. 7. According to the invention, the joists are not limited to be placed along orthogonal axis, but define angles varying over 0 to 90°, including angles varying between 5 and 85°.

[0036] Once the frame is created, boards 17 or tiles can be placed on top of the frame (Fig. 8) to finish the elevated surface. In a preferred embodiment, the boards 17 of the elevated surface comprise a groove 18 extending along one - and preferably both - of its longitudinal side surfaces 19. In such case, the outer boards (situated at the edges of the elevated surface) can be fastened to the joists of the frame by locking elements 20 that on the one hand comprise an engaging structure 21 similar to the engaging structures (in this case clips) on the carrying plate 3 of the pedestals to engage with a mounting groove on a corresponding joist and on the other hand a rim 22 engaging with the groove of the corresponding board (cf Fig. 9). Between two adjacent boards, a second type of locking elements 23 that in this case also act as distance holders can be applied, which second type of locking elements again comprise an engaging structure 21 similar to the engaging structures (in this case clips) on the carrying plate 3 of the pedestals to engage with a mounting groove on a corresponding joist and on the other hand a two rims 25 engaging with the grooves of two adjacent boards (cf Fig. 8). As such the boards can be fixed to the frame by a friction fit, without the need for screws or nails, which shortens assembly times and reduces risk on destructing boards on erroneous assembly.

[0037] Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the second type of locking elements comprises an engaging structure 21 defining a cam, such that it can be friction fitted in the mounting groove of a joist by rotation (cf illustration of Fig. 9).

Claims

1. A pedestal for supporting an elevated surface comprising boards or tiles mounted on a supporting frame of battens or joists, the pedestal comprising:

a) a base configured to be placed on an underlying surface;

b) a carrying plate having means for engaging with a batten or joist of the elevated surface and defining means for rotatably engaging with

c) an intermediate portion engaging with both the base and the carrying plate and allowing varying the distance between the base portion and the carrying plate along a longitudinal axis X-X;

the pedestal having a predominantly tubular cross section extending around a longitudinal axis X-X that defines the center line of the pedestal,
characterised in that said carrying plate comprises three distinct engaging structures each configured to engage with a batten or joist, wherein the three engaging structures are positioned in a triangular configuration, the center of the defined triangle positioned within a circle having a center coinciding with the longitudinal axis X-X and a radius equal to 50% of the radius of the tubular cross section of the pedestal..

2. The pedestal according to claim 1, the engaging structures configured as mushroom like protrusions extending from the carrying plate in a direction parallel to the X-axis.

3. The pedestal according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate portion and the base engage by means of a screw thread, allowing varying the distance between the base portion and the carrying plate by rotation of the intermediate portion in view of the base portion.

4. An assembly of pedestals and joists or battens for supporting an elevated surface of boards or tiles, comprising a plurality of pedestals as identified in claim 1 and frame of joists or battens mounted thereon for receiving said boards or tiles.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, said joist or battens comprising a mounting groove or slot extending longitudinally along one of its side surfaces and configured to engage with one or two of said three distinct engaging structures of different carrying plates.

6. The assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein two joists or battens engaging with a single carrying plate extend under an angle alfa in view of one another, with alfa ranging between 5 to 85°.

7. The assembly according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein two distinct batten or joists engage with one and the same carrying plate, the first joist or batten engaging with two engaging structures and the second joist or batten engaging with a third engaging structure.

8. The assembly according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the joists or battens are made of a metallic material, preferably aluminum.

9. The assembly according to any of the claims 4 to 8, wherein the pedestals are made in a polymeric material, preferably PE.

10. The assembly according to any of claims 4 to 9, the joists or battens comprising a mounting groove on two opposed surfaces, preferably on two pairs of opposed surfaces.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, further comprising mounting plugs configured, on the one hand, to be friction fitted in one of the grooves of the joists or battens and on the other hand to engage with a board or tile to be positioned on the frame of joists or battens.

Drawing