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(11) | EP 4 431 676 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | DECKING EDGE SUPPORT |
| (57) A decking board edge support system has a floor member (14) having a cross-section
with a floor surface portion (22a) and a leg (26a) extending from the floor surface
portion towards a support surface in use, the floor support portion defining a cantilevered
portion with a free end. A floor support member (50) is provided having a cross section
with a base portion (52) and a first flange (54) extending therefrom. The floor support
member (50) is arranged between the floor surface portion and an underlying substrate
in use, such that the first flange supports the floor support portion between the
leg and the free end.
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Technical Field
[0001] The present invention is concerned with a flooring system edge support. More specifically the present invention is concerned with a decking member edge support and an assembly of a decking board and such an edge support.
Background Art
[0002] Decking systems comprise a plurality of decking members, or boards, having an upper surface that is raised above an underlying e.g., ground surface. One type of decking system comprises a plurality of prismatic boards (constructed from e.g., extruded aluminium). The boards are arranged in a side-by-side manner to provide a decking surface to support people, furniture and so on. Extruded aluminium boards are particularly useful in applications where fire resistance is important.
[0003] Typically, extruded decking boards have an upper surface defined on a generally planar surface member. The surface member has a number of support legs extending perpendicular thereto. The support legs comprise feet that contact the underlying surface.
[0004] The support legs are typically spaced apart. For example, four such legs may be provided- one at either longitudinal edge of the decking member and two spaced between the edge legs. Therefore portions of the decking member are supported on two adjacent legs- much like a supported beam in cross-section.
[0005] Decking members are usually of a predetermined width. For example, the width of extruded aluminium members is determined by the extrusion die shape. It is neither straightforward nor practical to produce lower width decking members to use e.g., at the edges of decks.
[0006] Therefore one solution is to cut an existing decking member along the longitudinal axis to provide a lower-width decking member at e.g., edge regions.
[0007] A problem with this approach is that if the decking member is cut between two adjacent feet, a portion of the surface member becomes a cantilever. High loads on that cantilever can cause undesirable elastic and / or plastic deformation.
Summary of Invention
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a decking board edge support system comprising:
a floor member having a cross-section with a floor surface portion and a leg extending from the floor surface portion towards a support surface in use, the floor support portion defining a cantilevered portion with a free end;
a floor support member having a cross section with a base portion and a first flange extending therefrom;
wherein the floor support member is arranged between the floor surface portion and an underlying substrate in use, such that the first flange supports the floor support portion between the leg and the free end.
[0010] Advantageously, this reduces the likelihood of forces acting on the free, cantilevered portion of the decking board from deforming.
[0011] Preferably the floor support member cross-section comprises a second flange extending from the base portion such that the floor support member is concave; and,
wherein in use, the second flange is positioned adjacent the leg of the floor member.
[0012] Preferably the second flange is provided at an angle to the base portion such that it is angled away from the leg in use, such that fastening of the second flange against the leg causes a rotation of the support member to urge the first flange into contact with the floor member.
[0013] Preferably the first flange comprises a free end having at least one tab extending normal to the first flange.
[0014] Preferably the first flange defines a formation for receiving the second flange of a further identical support member positioned adjacent thereto.
[0016] Preferably the second flange does not extend as far from the base portion than the first flange.
[0017] Preferably:
the floor member comprises a foot extending from the end of the leg distal to the floor support surface; and,
the base portion defines an overhang distal to the first member;
wherein the foot is received in the overhang in use.
[0018] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a decking board support member comprising a cross section having:
a base portion;
a first flange extending from a first end of the base portion;
a second flange extending from a second end of the base portion; and,
a receiving formation defined on the first flange, the receiving formation configured to receive the second flange of an identical, adjacent support member.
[0020] Preferably the second flange does not extend as far from the base portion than the first flange.
[0021] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a decking board support member comprising a cross section having:
a base portion;
a first flange extending from a first end of the base portion;
a second flange extending from a second end of the base portion, the second flange being angled inwardly towards the first flange such that in use, fastening of the second flange to a vertical member acts to rotate the first member into engagement with the underside of a flooring member.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first decking assembly;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a second decking assembly;
FIGURE 3 is a section view of a component of the decking assemblies of Figures 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4 is a section view of a component of the decking assemblies of Figures 1 and 2;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the second decking assembly featuring a support component according to the present invention;
FIGURE 6 is a detail perspective view of the second decking assembly of Figure 5;
FIGURE 7 is a detail side section view of the second decking assembly of Figure 5;
FIGURE 8 is a detail side section view of the second decking assembly featuring two support components according to the present invention.
Description of the first embodiment
Configuration
[0023] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a decking assembly 10 comprising a first, 'direct fix', decking board 12 and a second, 'direct fix', decking board 14. The boards 12, 14 are mounted (directly fixed) to an underlying surface 1 6.
[0024] The boards 12, 14 are identical and only the board 14 will be described in detail. The board 14 comprises a main body 18 and an insert 20. Both the main body 18 and insert 20 are prismatic and extend along a longitudinal axis LX.
[0025] Referring to Figure 3, a cross-section of the body 18 is shown. The body 18 comprises a first generally planar surface member 22a, and a second generally planar surface member 22b (being spaced apart and parallel). The members 22a, 22b have longitudinal grooves 24 for grip.
[0026] The body 18 comprises four legs- two outer legs 26a, 26b and two inner legs 28a, 28b. The legs project perpendicularly to the surface members 22a, 22b (i.e., vertically in use). The outer legs 26a, 26b terminate in feet 30a, 30b. The inner legs 28a, 28b are connected by a flat, planar base portion 32. The base portion 32 projects either side of the inner legs 28a, 28b forming opposing tabs 34a, 34b. The inner legs 28a, 28b and the base portion 32 form a rectangular channel 36. The inner legs each have two vertically spaced ribs 38a 38b; 40a, 40b projecting into the channel.
[0027] The insert 20 is shown in cross-section in Figure 4. It comprises a generally planar surface member 22c, and two spaced-apart downwardly depending legs 42a, 42b. The member 22c has longitudinal grooves 44 for grip.
[0028] Outwardly facing, longitudinal V-shaped grooves 46a, 46b are formed where the legs 42a, 42b meet the member 22c. At the free end of the legs 42a ,42b there are provided outwardly depending tabs 48a, 48b.
[0029] In use, the body 18 can be attached to the underlying surface 16 by e.g., screws penetrating the base portion 32. The screw heads can then be covered by inserting the insert 20 into the channel 36. As the tabs 48a, 48b on the insert pass over the ribs 38a 38b; 40a, 40b, the insert is secured in place. When fully inserted, the ribs 38a, 40a engage the grooves 46a, 46b to hold the insert in place. Similarly, the tabs 48a, 48b are retained under the ribs 38b, 40b.
[0030] As mentioned, sometimes it is necessary to make a longitudinal cut along the length of a board. A cut board 14' is shown in Figure 2. A cut has been made along a line CC such that a cantilevered overhang is formed from a part of the first generally planar surface member 22a extending from the leg 26a. A force F applied proximate the free end of the cantilever will produce high bending stresses on the component.
[0031] Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the assembly 10 has been provided with an edge support member 50. The edge support member 50 is prismatic, and in use has a longitudinal axis aligned with the board 14. The member 50 is constructed from extruded aluminium (although other materials and manufacturing processes are possible). The cross-section of the member 50 is generally U-shaped, comprising a base 52, a first flange 54 and a second flange 56. The flanges 54, 56 are at either end of the base 52 to form the "U" shape.
[0032] The height of the edge support member 50 is such that, in use, it spans the vertical distance between the underside of the feet 30a, 30b, 34a, 34b and the underside of the generally planar surface members 22a, 22b.
[0033] The first flange 54 is perpendicular to the base 52, having a free end 58. At the free end 58 there is provided an inwardly facing tab 60a, an outwardly facing tab 60b and an outwardly facing hook portion 62 below the tab 60b, the hook portion defining a receiving channel 64.
[0034] The base 52 has a first portion 66 proximate the first flange 54, and a second portion 68, parallel and offset from the first portion 66, the second portion 68 being adjacent the second flange 56. The first and second portions 66, 68 are joined by a shoulder 70 leaving an undercut 72 in the underside of the base 52 and a step 74 within the member 52. The undercut 72 has a depth UD.
[0035] The second flange 56 projects from the second portion 68 in a direction which is almost perpendicular- specifically angled inwardly towards the first flange 58, A degrees to the vertical where A is between 1 and 10 degrees.
[0036] In use, the edge support member 50 is assembled with the cut member 14 as shown in Figures 5 to 7. The foot 30a is received in the undercut 72 such that it abuts the shoulder 70 (Figure 7). The first flange 54 (which extends further from the base 52 than the second flange 56) reaches towards and / or abuts and supports the underside of the second generally planar surface member 22b. The tabs 60a, 60b form a contact surface wider than the width of the flange 54 with which to support the member 22b.
[0037] The member 50 can be attached to the member 14 using self-tapping metal screws 74 passing from the external surface of the leg 26a, through the leg and through the second flange 56. It will be noted that because the flange 56 is angled away from the vertical (and therefore the leg 26a), the rotation of the screw acts to draw it towards the leg 26a. This in turn produces a counter clockwise (viewed in Figure 7) torque on the member 50, pushing the end of the first flange 54 and tabs 60a, 60b into contact with the underside of the member 14. This reduces rattling, and ensures that the fastener is kept under tension to avoid loosening.
[0038] Therefore if a force is applied proximate the free end of the first generally planar surface member 22a (near where it has been cut), the force can be reacted by the support member 50, reducing the bending moment on the member 14.
[0039] A further advantage of the configuration of the member 50 is that several can be used together. Referring to Figure 8, the member 14 has been cut leaving a longer cantilevered portion. As a result, both the member 50 and a further support member 50' are used. As can be seen, the further support member is arranged such that the free end of the second flange 56' is inserted into the channel 64 of the hook portion 62. As the second flange 56' is tilted inwardly, insertion of the end of the second flange 56' into the channel 64 of the hook portion 62 means that the second flange 56' bears against the first flange 54, and thereby acts to rotate the further support 50' such that the free end 58' of the first flange 54' is in contact with the member 14.
Variations
a floor member having a cross-section with a floor surface portion and a leg extending from the floor surface portion towards a support surface in use, the floor support portion defining a cantilevered portion with a free end;
a floor support member having a cross section with a base portion and a first flange extending therefrom;
wherein the floor support member is arranged between the floor surface portion and an underlying substrate in use, such that the first flange supports the floor support portion between the leg and the free end.
wherein in use, the second flange is positioned adjacent the leg of the floor member.
the floor member comprises a foot extending from the end of the leg distal to the floor support surface; and,
the base portion defines an overhang distal to the first member;
wherein the foot is received in the overhang in use.
a base portion;
a first flange extending from a first end of the base portion;
a second flange extending from a second end of the base portion; and,
a receiving formation defined on the first flange, the receiving formation configured to receive the second flange of an identical, adjacent support member.
a base portion;
a first flange extending from a first end of the base portion;
a second flange extending from a second end of the base portion, the second flange being angled inwardly towards the first flange such that in use, fastening of the second flange to a vertical member acts to rotate the first member into engagement with the underside of a flooring member.