FLOOR STRUCTURE

Abstract

A floor cassette assembly comprising: a structural bottom panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of spaced apart upstanding rib members attached to the upper surface of said panel, wherein adjacent spaced apart rib members define a void between said adjacent rib members, and support means located intermediate adjacent spaced apart rib members, the support means configured to support particulate material within the voids defined by the respective adjacent rib members at a location that is vertically spaced from the structural bottom panel.

Claims

1. A floor cassette assembly comprising: a structural bottom panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of spaced apart upstanding rib members attached to the upper surface of said panel, wherein adjacent spaced apart rib members define a void between said adjacent spaced apart rib members, and support means located intermediate to adjacent spaced apart rib members, the support means configured to support particulate material within the voids defined by the respective adjacent rib members at a location that is vertically spaced from the structural bottom panel.

2. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means configured to support the particulate material is a non-rigid support means.

3. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means configured to support the particulate material is a resilient support means.

4. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means comprises a shelf that spans substantially across a width of the void defined between adjacent rib members.

5.-9. (canceled)

10. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means configured to support the particulate material comprises a resilient pad.

11. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the resilient pad substantially fills a portion of the void intermediate to the particulate granular material supported thereon and the structural bottom panel.

12. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the resilient pad is formed from any one or more of neoprene, mineral wool, cellulose fibre, or expanded polystyrene.

13. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means for supporting the particulate material is configured to provide vibration damping.

14. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a particulate material, wherein the particulate material comprises any one or more of sand, crushed concrete, crushed glass, saw dust, or a mixture thereof.

15. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the particulate material is a granular particulate material.

16. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the particulate material is contained within a bag or bags.

17. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a top panel, wherein the top panel spans across the upper ends of the rib members.

18. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the top panel is a load-bearing panel.

19. (canceled)

20. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a compressible material located intermediate to the particulate material supported on the support means and the top panel, optionally wherein the compressible material comprises a mineral wool.

21. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more end panels configured to enclose the voids defined between the rib members and the structural bottom panel.

22. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural bottom panel and the rib members are of wood construction.

23. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the top panel is of wood construction.

24. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the top panel is of plasterboard construction.

25. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural bottom panel is fire resistant.

26. A floor cassette assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural bottom panel further comprises a fire protective layer, coating or finish.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIGS. 1a and 1b are schematic vertical cross-section views through exemplary floor cassettes in accordance with the invention;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic horizontal cross section view through an exemplary floor cassette in accordance with the invention, shown in plan view;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross section view showing adjacent floor cassettes supported by an exemplary structural steel beam;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross section view showing adjacent floor cassettes supported by an exemplary timber framed wall; and

[0053] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a floor cassette in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] With reference to FIG. 5, in accordance with the invention there is provided a floor cassette assembly comprising a structural bottom panel 1 having an upper surface 1a and a lower surface 1b, and a plurality of spaced apart upstanding rib members 2 attached to the upper surface 1a of said panel 1. In an exemplary arrangement, rib members 2 are in parallel alignment. Optionally, rib members 2 provided along opposing side edges of the bottom panel 1 define side members of the floor cassette. Conveniently, the gaps between adjacent spaced apart rib members 2 define voids 10 within the floor cassette assembly.

[0055] It will be understood that the bottom panel is a structural panel which contributes significantly to the strength of the overall floor cassette assembly, as opposed to a superficial cover member located at the underside of a floor structure, for example, but not limited to, a ceiling panel.

[0056] The structural bottom panel 1 is fire resistant. Structural bottom panels of floor cassettes in accordance with the invention may be suitably dimensioned, for example in thickness, to provide various levels of fire resistance, e.g. 30 to 120 minutes, depending on applicable requirements. In an optional arrangement, structural bottom panels may further comprise auxiliary fire protection means, such as fire resistant layer, coating or finish.

[0057] In examples, the floor cassette assembly further comprises an upper or top panel 3 that spans across the top of the rib members 2 to which it is attached. Advantageously, the upper or top panel closes the upper ends of the voids 10 formed between adjacent rib members 2.

[0058] Optionally, structural bottom panel 1 and rib members 2 are of wood construction.

[0059] Optionally, rib members 2 are fixed to the structural bottom panel 1 with a structural adhesive. Alternatively, or in addition, the rib members 2 may be fixed to the bottom panel by suitable fastening means such as, but not limited to, nails and/or screws.

[0060] In examples, upper panel 3 is a structural panel of wood construction. In this way, upper panel 3 can be a load-bearing panel, for example for use as a floor surface.

[0061] Alternatively, upper panel 3 may be a non-structural panel, for example a plasterboard panel 3a as shown by way of example in FIG. 3.

[0062] Optionally, upper panel 3 is fixed to the rib members 2 with a structural adhesive.

[0063] Alternatively, or in addition, the upper panel 3 may be fixed to the rib members 2 by suitable fastening means such as, but not limited to, nails and/or screws.

[0064] Thus, a floor cassette assembly in accordance with the present invention functions in similar manner to an I-beam or T-beam, with corresponding strength and stiffness.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, which represent section X-X shown by way of illustration in FIG. 5, a particulate material 5 is provided within the voids 10 defined between adjacent rib members 2.

[0066] In accordance with the invention, the particulate material 5 is located at an upper region of the respective voids 10 defined between adjacent rib members 2. Thus the particulate material is vertically spaced from structural bottom panel 1. Thus the particulate material only partially fills the respective voids 10 formed between the adjacent rib members 2 and the bottom panel 1.

[0067] With reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 3 and 4, the particulate material is maintained in spaced apart relationship from the bottom panel 1 by a support means.

[0068] Optionally, the support means is a non-rigid support means.

[0069] Further optionally, the support means is a resilient support means.

[0070] In the example shown in FIG. 1b, the support means may comprise a shelf 8. Optionally, shelf 8 is a flexible shelf. Optionally, the shelf 8 is configured as a leaf spring. Optionally, shelf 8 spans substantially across the width of the void 10 between adjacent rib members 2. The shelf 8 may be formed from any suitable material such as, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastics etc.

[0071] As shown by way of example in FIG. 1b, shelf 8 may be mounted along its respective side edges upon suitable support members 11 provided on the rib members 2. Support members 11 may comprise elongate battens or corbels or the like. Optionally, the support members 11 are of wooden construction.

[0072] Optionally, the side edges of shelf 8 are non-contacting with the rib members 2. By not abutting or otherwise making direct contact with the rib members 2, the shelf maintains its flexibility in use.

[0073] In the example shown in FIG. 1a, the support means may comprise a pad 6, shown by cross-hatching. The upper surface of the pad 6 is configured to support particulate material located thereon. Optionally, pad 6 is a resilient pad. Optionally, pad 6 is substantially formed from a resilient material. Examples of a suitable resilient material include, but are not limited to, neoprene, mineral wool, cellulose fibres, expanded polystyrene, or the likes.

[0074] Optionally, pad 6 substantially fills the portion of the void 10 intermediate the structural bottom panel 1 and the particulate material 5.

[0075] The provision of resilient support means 6, 8 to support particulate material 5 allows the mass of said particulate material to act as a damping material as described below.

[0076] The particulate material 5 located on the non-rigid support means provides a mass that improves the response of the floor cassette to footfall-induced vibration, as well as to sound transmission. Under vibration, the action of the particles of particulate material 5 rubbing together as they move turns their kinetic energy into heat energy, thereby acting as a damper to improve the response of the floor cassette to footfall-induced vibration.

[0077] Advantageously, the provision of a resilient pad 6 or flexible shelf 8 in accordance with examples of the present invention supporting the particulate material enhances activation of the aforementioned damping action, which overcomes the deficiency of prior art cassette-type floors that are known to be too stiff for optimal acoustic performance.

[0078] Optionally, the particulate material 5 is non-flammable.

[0079] Optionally, the particulate material 5 is inert.

[0080] Optionally, the particulate material 5 is a heavy inert particulate material.

[0081] Optionally, the particulate material comprises, for example, but is not limited to, sand, crushed concrete, crushed glass saw dust, or a mixture of suitable particulate materials.

[0082] Optionally, the particulate material 5 may be in granular form.

[0083] In examples, the particulate material may be mixed with, or comprise, a saw dust fraction as it has been found that inclusion of a saw dust advantageously mitigates unwanted agglomeration of the particulate material, whether in particulate or granular form.

[0084] As shown by way of example using dashed lines in FIG. 1a, the particulate material may be encapsulated or enclosed within a bag or bags 7.

[0085] Conveniently, the particulate material 5 provides fire protection to the sides of the rib members 2 in the event of the floor cassette being exposed to fire. The particulate material also provides fire protection at the upper in use region of the floor cassette assembly.

[0086] As shown by way of example in FIGS. 1b, 3 and 4, a suitable compressible material 4 such as, but not limited to, stone or mineral wool may be located between the particulate material 5 and the top panel 3, 3a in order to enhance vibration damping.

[0087] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the otherwise open ends of the floor cassette assembly may be closed by an end panel 9. End panels 9 prevents the particulate material 5 from escaping from the cassette assembly. In addition, the particulate material also prevents ingress of water, and/or smoke, and/or heat into the floor cassette assembly. Encapsulation or enclosure of the particulate material in a bag or bags 7 further enhances the prevention of material escape, even if the event of damage or modification of the floor cassette.

[0088] As shown by way of example in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 3 and 4, the interfaces between the various floor cassette components may be protected by water resistant elements or coverings 12 such as suitable tapes, strips, pads, patches or the likes.

[0089] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, floor cassette assemblies may be supported in use by structural support means, for example, but not limited to, steel beams 13 (FIG. 3), walls 130, or the likes.

[0090] By way of example in FIG. 3, where adjacent floor cassettes are shown supported either side of a support beam 13 structural continuity across said support beam may be provided by extending a top panel 3b over the support beam such that is it connected to both cassettes, and/or by providing connecting elements 14 that transfer forces between the bottom panels 1 of the respective cassettes through the support beam 13.

[0091] In addition to the particulate material 5 provided within the floor cassettes, particulate material 5 of the same or a different type may be used to encapsulate part or all of the structural support beam 13 as shown by way of example in FIG. 3. Used in this way, the particulate material provides fire protection and footfall-induced vibration damping in the region of the structural support beam 13.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, floor cassettes may be supported by a timber wall 130, or similar. In the example of FIG. 4 no ancillary means for structural continuity such as a top panel, or no encapsulation with particulate material, is required due to the shorter spans and reduced fire resistance requirements inherent in this form of construction.

[0093] Modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.