SELF-LEVELLING PEDESTAL FOR RAISED FLOORING

Abstract

A self-levelling pedestal (100) for supporting a flooring member, has a top plate pivotable relative to the floor such that the it can be oriented at a non-zero angle to the floor. A locking mechanism is provided configured to lock the position of the top plate in at least one non-zero angle.

Claims

1. A self-levelling pedestal for supporting a flooring member, the self-levelling pedestal comprising: a base having a support surface; a head, distal to the base; a top plate coupled to the head to be pivotable relative thereto such that the top plate can be oriented at a non-zero angle to the support surface of the base; and a locking mechanism configured to inhibit pivoting of the top plate relative to the head, the locking mechanism being configured to lock a position of the top plate in at least one non-zero angle to the support surface of the base.

2.-10. (canceled)

11. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 1, wherein a spherical joint is provided between the head and the top plate, and wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the spherical joint.

12. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the spherical joint by friction.

13. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a resiliently compressible element configured to maintain a frictional force on the spherical joint to lock it.

14. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking element configured to exert a compressive force on the spherical joint.

15. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 14, wherein the locking element engages an upper surface of the top plate.

16. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 15, wherein the locking element is part-spherical in shape.

17. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 16, wherein the top plate is constructed from a part-spherical sheet material, wherein an underside of the top plate forms a spherical joint against the head, and where the upper surface of the top plate is engaged by the locking element.

18. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a fastener engaging the locking element at a first end, and engaging the head at a second end to selectively apply a clamping force on the top plate between the head and the locking mechanism.

19. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 18, wherein the fastener is threaded to the head to engage the locking mechanism by rotation thereof.

20. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 18, wherein the spherical joint is oriented with its origin on a base side of the top plate such that the spherical joint is upwardly convex in use.

21. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 20, wherein the spherical joint comprises a motion stop limiting the degree of movement of the spherical joint.

22. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 21, wherein the motion stop is formed by an opening in the top plate through in which a stop member is located, the motion stop being provided by abutment between a periphery of the opening and the stop member.

23. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 22, wherein the stop member is the fastener of the locking mechanism.

24.-26. (canceled)

27. A method of installing a raised floor comprising: providing a plurality of self-levelling pedestals according to claim 1; positioning the plurality of self-levelling pedestals in a spaced-apart arrangement; providing a plurality of flooring members; supporting each of the plurality of flooring members on the plurality of self-levelling pedestals, and allowing each pedestal top plate to reach a desired inclination by movement relative to the head; and locking each top plate in position with the locking mechanism.

28. The method of installing the raised floor according to claim 27, wherein a spherical joint is provided between the head and the top plate, and wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the spherical joint, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the spherical joint by friction, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking element configured to exert a compressive force on the spherical joint, wherein the locking element engages an upper surface of the top plate, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a fastener engaging the locking element at a first end, and engaging the head at a second end to selectively apply a clamping force on the top plate between the head and the locking mechanism, wherein the fastener is accessible between at least two flooring members supported on the upper surface of the top plate, and wherein the locking comprises passing part of a tool between adjacent flooring members to thereby engage the locking mechanism.

29. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 18, wherein the fastener is accessible between at least two flooring members supported on the upper surface of the top plate.

30. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the head and the base are adjustable relative to each other to vary the distance between the support surface and the top plate to thereby alter the height of the pedestal.

31. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 30, wherein the head and the base are connected by a threaded connection to alter the height.

32. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 31, wherein the threaded connection comprises a male threaded part engaged with a female threaded part, and wherein a locking member is provided, the locking member having a further female threaded part engaged with the male threaded part, such that rotation of the locking member into abutment with the female threaded part locks the female threaded part into position on the male threaded part.

33. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 31, wherein the head defines a formation configured to be engaged by a tool to facilitate rotation thereof.

34. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 33, wherein the head defines a pair of diametrically opposed flats.

35. The self-levelling pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the top plate comprises a plurality of tabs, which tabs can be formed by deforming part of the top plate out-of-plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which:

[0054] FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art pedestal;

[0055] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a first pedestal in accordance with the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pedestal of FIG. 2;

[0057] FIG. 4 is a section view through IV-IV in FIG. 3;

[0058] FIG. 5 is a detail view of a part of FIG. 4; and,

[0059] FIG. 6 is a section view through IV-IV in FIG. 3, of a single component only.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0060] A first pedestal 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

Configuration

[0061] The pedestal 100 comprises a base plate 102, a base shaft 104, a locking nut 106, a head shaft 108, a top plate 110, a friction locking member 112, a mechanical fastener 114 and a spring washer 115.

[0062] The base plate 102 and the base shaft 104 are attached (e.g. are unitary or e.g. welded together. The base plate 102 is square in shape (other shapes are possible) defining a lower surface 116 for contact with an underlying surface 98. The base plate 102 defines a plurality of openings 118 for receiving fasteners to secure it to the underlying surface 98. An upturned lip 122 is provided around the periphery of the plate 102 to ensure the underlying surface is not damaged by the plate 102.

[0063] The base shaft 104 projects perpendicularly from the centre of the base plate 102 defining a pedestal axis PA. The shaft 104 defines an external threaded formation 124. The shaft 104 is hollow having a circular free end 126.

[0064] The locking nut 106 defines a threaded inner surface 128 and an outer surface having gripping formations 130 to facilitate rotation by hand.

[0065] The head shaft 108 is shown more detail in section in FIG. 5. It comprises a first shaft portion 132 having an internal threaded formation 134. The first shaft portion 132 tapers outwardly to a second (upper) shaft portion 136. At the end of the second shaft portion 136 there is provided a bearing member 138 constructed from sheet material and shaped as part of a sphere having radius R. As such, the bearing member defines an upwardly convex (inverted U-shaped) first bearing surface 140. At the geometric centre of the member 138 (in line with the axis of the shaft portions 132, 136) there is provided a central internally threaded opening 142. The bearing member 134 defines a pair of diametrically opposed flats 134a, 134b.

[0066] The top plate 110 is a generally flat, square component (other shapes are possible) having an outer annular portion 144 and an inner, shaped portion 146. The annular portion 144 defines four tabs 148a-148d, each of which are constructed from outwardly facing U-shaped openings in the material of the plate 110. As such, the tabs can be bent upwardly and radially outwardly to extend from the upper surface of the plate 110 as shown in FIG. 2. The inner portion 146 is recessed into the plate 110 in a first direction (downwardly in FIG. 2) but defines a concave part-spherically curved bearing portion 150 having a downwardly facing, concave second bearing surface 152 of radius R. The bearing portion 150 also defines an upwardly facing convex surface 153 of radius (R+t) where t is the thickness of the inner portion 146. The concave curved bearing portion 150 defines a central opening 154.

[0067] The friction locking member 112 is constructed from a thin metal material. The member 112 is generally part-spherical and defines a lower concave locking surface 156 of radius (R+t). It has a central opening 158.

[0068] The spring washer 115 is helical in shape, and is resiliently deformable in axial compression.

[0069] All of the above components are constructed from metal material in the present embodiment, which offers excellent fire resistance. It will be noted that other materials (such as plastics) may be employed for applications that require less fire-resistant properties.

Assembly

[0070] To assemble the pedestal 100, the locking nut 106 is first threaded onto the base shaft 104. The female threaded formation of the head shaft 108 is then engaged with the base shaft 104, above the locking nut 106. The top plate 110 is placed onto the head shaft 108 such that the concave second bearing surface 152 receives the convex first bearing surface 140. This engagement forms a spherical joint between the two components that permits relative rotation movement about the origin O of circle of radius R (which origin O lies on the pedestal axis PA).

[0071] The friction locking member is placed onto the top plate 110 such that its concave locking surface 156 engages the convex upwardly facing convex surface 153 of the plate 110. The spring washer 115 is fed onto the shaft of the mechanical fastener 114, which in turn is fed along the axis PA, passing through the central opening 158 of the friction locking member 112, the opening 154 of the top plate 110 and into the central internally threaded opening 142 of the head shaft 108 where it is rotated into threaded engagement.

Use

[0072] In order to use the pedestal, the installer can select the type of member to be secured. In doing so, he may extend all four tabs 148a-d of the top plate 110, or a subset thereof. The pedestal is then secured to the underlying surface 98 using screws through the holes 118 as required.

[0073] In order to set the height of the pedestal, the head shaft is rotated relative to the base shaft 104 to the desired height H. Once in position, the locking nut 106 is rotated to move upwardly along the shaft 104 to engage the bottom of the head shaft 108 and secure it in position.

[0074] Flooring members 30, 32 are then positioned on top of the top plate 110 as required. It will be noted that the top plate 110 will pivot relative to, and rotate about, the pedestal axis PA in order to settle in the correct position. The top plate has three rotational degrees of freedom provided by the spherical jointwith reference to FIG. 2: [0075] Rotation about PA (axis Z); [0076] Rotation about horizontal axis X; and, [0077] Rotation about horizontal axis Y.

[0078] The last two rotations are referred to as pivoting.

[0079] It will be noted that rotation about Z is unlimitedthe top plate 110 can rotate 360 degrees. Rotation about X and Y (and combined rotation about any axis in the XY plane) is limited by the periphery of the opening 154. If the top plate pivots by angle (FIG. 4) the fastener 114 limits movement. It follows that although the openings in the head shaft 108 and the friction locking member 112 are just large enough to accept the fastener with no free movement, the opening 154 is considerably larger to permit the required degree of freedom.

[0080] Once the pedestal has aligned to the desired orientation, the installer can insert a tool (such as a hex key) between the flowing members to tighten the fastener 114. The head of the fastener compresses the spring washer 115 and locking member 112 downwards, and sandwiches the top plate 110 between the locking member 112 and the top of the head shaft 108. This acts to restrict further rotation due to friction. The spring washer 115 acts to maintain the tension in the fastener 114 and prevent the locking force from being released. Of course, the installer is free to use the tool to release the pedestal rotation again.

[0081] It will be noted that the height of the pedestal 100 can be adjusted in situ, even when loaded by flooring members. A tool (such as an adjustable spanner) can be used to rotate the head shaft 108 to raise/lower the pedestal. It is desirable that this step is carried out when the fastener 114 is loosened, so that the head shaft can rotate relative to the top plate 110, which is supporting the flowing members.

VARIATIONS

[0082] Although the bottom plate 102 and top plate 110 are square in this embodiment, they may be circular or any other shape suitable for fulfilling their functions as described above.