WO2008072982A1

WO2008072982A1 - A support device for a floor panel

Info

Publication number: WO2008072982A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2007/000356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Ronald Law
Original assignee: Sovereign Enterprises Limited
Priority date: 2006-12-13
Filing date: 2007-12-11
Publication date: 2008-06-19
Also published as: AU2007332219A1

Abstract

A support device (4) for a floor panel (1) has a foot member (5) having a support surface. The support device (4) also has an elongate member (9) extending from the foot member (5), an engagement member (12) adapted to be engaged with the elongate member (9) and movable along the elongate member (9), and a mounting means (13) adapted to enable the support device (4) to be mounted on a floor panel (1). An engagement formation (10) is formed on one of the engagement member (12) and the elongate member (9) and movement of the engagement formation (10) enables the engagement member (12) to be moved along the elongate member (9) when the support device (4) is mounted on a floor panel (1). The engagement formation (10) is accessible from the opposite side of the mounting means (13) from the side on which the foot member (5) is located.

Description

A SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A FLOOR PANEL

The invention relates to a decking system and especially, but not solely, a decking system for installation on existing constructions, such as flat roofs, internal deck areas (with waterproof membrane surfaces), patios, concrete pads or balconies.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Traditionally, timber decking is installed by constructing a support structure, which typically includes a number of parallel, spaced apart timber joists (or rails) onto which the timber decking boards are laid. The decking boards are fixed in place by securing them to the joists using suitable fasteners, such as screws or nails.

When decking is to be installed on an existing construction, such as a flat roof or balcony, a waterproof membrane is generally applied to the surface on which the decking is to be laid to waterproof the surface and the rails are then positioned across the waterproof membrane.

Typically, the rails are supported on rubber isolation pads or something similar which are positioned in appropriate positions on the waterproof membrane so that the rails are spaced from the waterproof membrane and do not contact the waterproof membrane directly. This helps to minimise the risk of the waterproof membrane being damaged by the rails and prevents the rails from restricting water-run off / disbursement.

After the rails have been positioned on the rubber isolation pads above the waterproof membrane, the decking boards are positioned on top of the rails and secured to the rails using suitable fasteners, such as screws.

Generally, the surface above which the decking- is installed will be sloping to facilitate rain water run-off from the surface to a water collection system, such as guttering. However, it is normal to install the decking so that the top surface of the decking boards are in a generally horizontal plane. In order to enable the top surface of the decking to be horizontal, it is necessary for the joists to be individually profiled to accommodate the gradient of the surface on which the decking is installed. This individual profiling of the rails is time consuming and can be difficult to achieve accurately so that the top surface of the decking is horizontal.

In addition, if access is required under the decking, for example for maintenance, service or to clean debri from the waterproof membrane, it is necessary to release the fasteners securing each decking board to the rails in order to remove the decking boards to facilitate access. This is also a time consuming process.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to avoid or at least mitigate one or more of the disadvantages of these known systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support device for a floor panel, the support device comprising a foot member having a support surface, an elongate member extending from the foot member, an engagement member adapted to be engaged with the elongate member and movable along the elongate member, and a mounting means adapted to enable the support device to be mounted on a floor panel, and wherein an engagement formation is formed on one of the engagement member and the elongate member, movement of the engagement formation enabling the engagement member to be moved along the elongate member when the support device is mounted on a floor panel, and the engagement formation being accessible from the opposite side of the mounting means from the side on which the foot member is located.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flooring unit comprising a floor panel and a support device, the support device being adjustably mounted on the floor panel and having a support surface located on one side of the floor panel and an engagement formation accessible from the opposite side of the floor panel, movement of the engagement formation from the opposite side of the floor panel causing the separation of the engagement surface from the floor panel to be adjusted.

An advantage of the invention is that by providing a flooring unit that includes a floor panel and an adjustable support device, it is possible to install the floor panel so that the top surface of the floor panel is, for example, horizontal by adjusting the separation between the support surface and the floor panel. Also as the support devices are integrated into the flooring unit, the flooring unit can be easily removed and reinstalled, for example, to gain access for maintenance, service or to clean debris from underneath the flooring unit.

Typically, the flooring unit comprises at least three support devices. Preferably, the support surface of each support device is located on the same side of the panel as the support surfaces of the other support devices.

The flooring unit may be for internal and/or external use in any application where it is desired to create a raised floor surface above another surface. For example, the raised floor could be for an office to accommodate wiring and/or other services in the space below the raised floor.

Preferably, the floor panel is in the shape of a polygon and, for example, could be square or rectangular. However, any suitable shape could be used, such as, triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal shaped floor panels. Typically, a support device is located adjacent each corner of the floor panel. However, the support devices could, additionally or alternatively, be located between adjacent corners and/or between non-adjacent corners. For example, they could be located centrally of the floor panel and/or at other positions of the floor panel not adjacent to the corners.

In one example of the invention, the floor panel may comprise a number of elongate floor members and a number of support members, the floor members being transverse to the support members and being attached to the support members. Preferably, each support device is adjustably mounted on a support member. In one example, the elongate floor members are perpendicular to the support members. However, other angles could be used, for example, to create different patterns or for different applications. Preferably, each support device is adjustably mounted on a support member.

Preferably, the elongate flooring members may be timber boards, such as decking boards.

In another example of the invention, the floor panel may comprise a single, floor member with or without a number of support members. Whether or not a number of support members are required depends on the material and thickness of the floor panel. The floor member could be formed from metal, plastic or any suitable composite material.

Typically, the support members are joists or rails which are preferably, timber if the elongate flooring members are timber. However, the support members could be metal, plastic or any suitable composite material. Preferably, the support members are located on the same side of the flooring panel as the support surface of the support devices.

The floor unit may further comprise a number of stiffening members to reduce flexing of the floor panel. Typically, two stiffening members may be provided positioned along one or more edges of the floor panel, where the floor panel is rectangular or square. Preferably, the opposite edges between the support members such that the stiffening members are transverse to the support members.

Preferably, the support devices are rotatably adjustable such that rotation of the engagement formation either extends the support surface away from the floor panel or retracts the support surface towards the floor panel.

Typically, the support surface is defined by a foot member. The foot member may be manufactured from a metal, an elastomeric or a polymeric material, such as plastic (for example, glass reinforced plastic (GRP) or nylon) or rubber. Alternatively, the foot member may be a composite material. For example, the foot member could be formed from a metallic material with the support surface covered with a rubber, elastomeric or polymeric material.

Typically, the engagement formation is formed on a threaded stud that rotates within a threaded formation that is stationary with respect to the floor panel. Typically, the threaded formation is a nut that is held captive within the floor panel such that rotation of the nut relative to the floor panel is prevented. The support surface is located on the opposite end of the threaded stud from the engagement formation.

Typically, the foot member is mounted on the threaded stud and is typically mounted on the threaded stud so that the threaded stud may rotate relative to the foot member.

For example, the foot member may be mounted on the stud by means of a ball and socket joint with one of the ball or socket being located on the end of the threaded spindle and the other of the ball and socket joint being located on the foot member. Alternatively, the stud could have a head that is held captive on the foot member so that the stud can rotate relative to foot member. Typically, the stud has a head with a circular profile. Preferably, the support device in the second aspect of the invention is the support device of the first aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flooring system comprising a number of flooring units in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

Typically, where the installation surface in which the flooring units are to be installed is not level, the system may also comprise a number of spacers, one or more spacers being located underneath a support surface of a support device. The use of spaces is useful where the adjustment provided by the support device itself is not sufficient to level the floor unit or raise the floor panel to the same height as the other floor panels. This is particularly advantageous where the installation surface is uneven or sloping.

Preferably, each spacer includes a coupling mechanism to permit two or more spacers to be mechanically coupled to each other so that they are positioned one on top of each other.

Typically, the coupling mechanism is releasable.

Preferably, the coupling mechanism comprises a number of elastically deformable clips spaced around the spacer and a number of spacer engagement formations also spaced around the spacer that can be engaged by the deformable clips on another spacer to couple the spacers together.

Typically, the deformable clips and clip engagement formations are spaced around the outside of the spacer and preferably, a spacer engagement formation is created between two clips and not preferably two or more engagement formations are located between each adjacent pair of clips.

Preferably each spacer has three clips, typically spaced circumferentially around the spacer.

Typically, each spacer has a generally circular foot print.

Preferably, the spacers are formed from a plastic material. However, they could be formed from any suitable alternative material, such as metal. Preferably, the foot member and spacers are configured so that the foot member can be coupled to a spacer in a similar manner to the way in which the spacers can be coupled to each other. Where the coupling mechanism includes a number of clips, the clips may engage with the foot member to couple the spacer to the foot member.

The flooring system may also include a securing device to secure adjacent flooring units together. The securing device may also include a spacing device.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a flooring system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the method comprising positioning a first flooring unit in a desired location on a surface to be covered by the flooring system, adjusting the support devices so that the top surface of the floor panel is at a desired angle to the horizontal, positioning another floor panel adjacent to the first panel and adjusting the support devices of the other panel until the top surface of the other panel is level with the first panel and at the same angle, and installing the remaining panels to form a continuous floor area, each of the support devices of the remaining panels being adjusted such that the top surfaces of the panels are level with each other and at the same angle.

Preferably, the support devices are adjusted such that the top surface of the floor panels are at an angle of substantially 0° to the horizontal. That is, so that the top surfaces of the panels are substantially horizontal.

The flooring unit may also include a side spacer device to space adjacent units from each other. This is particularly useful where the flooring unit is a decking unit as it enables the space between the units to be adjusted to be the same as the space between the decking boards on a unit.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Examples of a flooring system in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 Is a perspective view of a first example of a decking unit;

Figure 2 Is a plan view of the decking unit shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 Is a side view of the decking unit shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 Is a perspective view of a second example of a decking unit;

Figure 5 Is a plan view of the decking unit shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 Is a side view of the decking unit shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 Is a side view showing installation of the first example of the decking unit on a roof surface;

Figure 8 Is a cross-sectional view showing installation of the second example of the decking units over a septic tank;

Figure 9 Is a plan view of the decking installation shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 Is a partial cross-sectional view through a portion of the decking unit shown in Figure 1 showing a first example of an adjustable foot mechanism;

Figure 11 Is a partial cross-sectional view through a portion of the decking unit shown in Figure 1 showing a first adjustable foot mechanism with a portion of a retaining collar removed;

Figure 12 Is an exploded view of the first example of the adjustable foot mechanism;

Figure 13 Is a cross-sectional view through a second example of an adjustable foot mechanism; Figure 14 Is a perspective view from above of a third example of an adjustable foot mechanism;

Figure 15 Is a perspective view from below of the third example of the adjustable foot mechanism;

Figure 16 Is an exploded view of the third example of the adjustable foot mechanism with a first example of a spacer pad;

Figure 17 Is a perspective view from above of a fourth example of an adjustable foot mechanism;

Figure 18 Is a perspective view from below of the adjustable foot mechanism shown in

Figure 17;

Figure 19 Is an exploded perspective view from above of the adjustable foot mechanism shown in Figure 17;

Figure 20 Is an exploded perspective view from below of the adjustable foot mechanism shown in Figure 17;

Figure 21 Is a partial cross-sectional view of a decking unit incorporating the fourth example of the adjustable foot mechanism;

Figure 22 Is a perspective view of a third example of a decking unit;

Figure 23 Is a plan view of the decking unit shown in Figure 22;

Figure 24 Is a perspective view of a fourth example of a decking unit;

Figure 25 Is a plan view of the decking unit shown in Figure 24;

Figure 26 Is a perspective view of a fifth example of a decking unit;

Figure 27 Is a plan view of the decking unit shown in Figure 26; Figure 28 Is a perspective view of a second example of a spacer pad;

Figure 29 Is a plan view of the spacer pad shown in Figure 28;

Figure 30 Is a side view of the spacer pad shown in Figure 28;

Figure 31 Is a perspective view showing three of the spacer pads of Figure 28 clipped together with a foot of the fourth example of the adjustable foot mechanism clipped onto the top spacer pad;

Figure 32 Is a plan view of a first example of a joiner plate;

Figure 33 Is a side view of the joiner plate shown in Figure 32;

Figure 34 Is a perspective view of part of a decking installation showing the joiner plate of Figure 32 in use;

Figure 35 Is a plan view of a secure example of a joiner plate; and

Figure 36 Is a side view of the joiner plate shown in Figure 35.

BEST MODES FOR PERFORMING THE INVENTION

Figures 1 to 3 show a first example of a modular decking unit 1 which includes six decking boards 2 which are attached to two supporting rails 3. The supporting rails 3 are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other and the decking boards 2 are positioned parallel to each other and transverse (in this example, perpendicular) to the support rails 3.

The decking unit 1 also includes four adjustable foot mechanisms 4 located adjacent each corner of the decking unit 1. The adjustable foot mechanisms 4 are shown in more detail in Figures 10 to 12. From these figures it can be seen that the adjustable foot mechanism 4 includes a foot 5 having a recessed socket 6. A spherical ball formation 7 is attached to one end 8 of a threaded stud 9. The threaded stud 9 has a hexagonal formation 10 formed in its opposite end 11. The adjustable foot mechanism also includes a threaded nut 12 which engages with the threaded stud 9 and two split collar halves 13, 14. When assembled, the end 8 of the stud 9 is threaded into threaded bore 15 in the spherical ball formation 7 and the ball formation is inserted into the socket 6.

The nut 12 is inserted between the split collar halves 13, 14 and the split collar halves are pressed into an appropriately formed hole 16 in one of the rails 3. The split collar is a press fit into the hole 16 so that the split collar 13, 14 is a friction fit in the hole 16 and the frictional force is sufficient to prevent the split collar 13, 14 rotating. The split collar halves 13, 14 are configured on their internal surfaces such that the nut 12 is held captive within the split collar halves 13, 14 when they are pressed into the hole 16 and such that the nut 12 is prevented from rotating within the split collar halves 13, 14. It is possible that the external cylindrical surface of the split collar halves 13, 14 could have ribs or another form of interference formation to help prevent rotation of the split collar halves 13, 14 within the hole 16. After insertion of the collar halves 13, 14 and the nut 12 into the hole 16, the end 11 of the spindle 9 can then be threaded into the nut 12 and the distance of the foot 5 from the rails 3 and decking boards 2 can be adjusted by rotating the spindle 9 using an appropriate hexagonal wrench, such as an Allen key, inserted into the hexagonal formation 10. The decking board 2 located above the location in which the adjustable foot mechanism is inserted into the rail 3 has a through bore 17 into which the spindle 9 can extend. This permits access to the hexagonal formation 10 via the bore 17 to facilitate adjustment of the foot mechanism 4.

Figure 13 shows a second example of an adjustable foot mechanism 20 which includes a spindle 21 having a spherical formation 22 adjacent its lower end 23 and a split washer 24 that engages in a recessed groove 25 in the end 23. The split washer 24 retains a foot 26 on the lower end 23. The foot 26 has a spherically shaped surface 27 which engages with the spherically shaped surface 22 and permits the foot 26 to be pivoted relative to the spindle 21.

The foot mechanism 20 also includes the split collar 13, 14 and captive nut 12 that is used for the adjustable foot mechanism 4 so that the foot mechanism 20 can be adjusted in the same manner as the foot mechanism 4.

Figures 14 to 16 show a third example of an adjustable foot mechanism 30. A first example of a spacer pad 31 is also shown in Figure 16. The adjustable foot mechanism 30 includes a foot 32 a threaded stud 33 having an end 34 with a circular head 35 and an opposite end 36 with hexagonal formation 37. The adjustable foot mechanism 30 also includes a plastic cap 38, a threaded hexagonal nut 39 and a nut retaining collar 40. The nut 39 is preferably a self-locking nut, such as a nylon insert lock nut. To assemble the adjustable foot mechanism 30, the head 35 of the stud 33 is inserted into the circular recess 41 in the foot 32, central aperture 42 in the plastic cap is slid over the stud 33 and the plastic cap 38 moved downwards towards the foot 32 until locking formations 43 in the plastic cap 38 engage with complimentary locking formations 44 in the foot 32. When the locking formations 43 are engaged with the complimentary locking formations 44, the cap 38 is secured to the foot 32 and the head 35 of the stud 33 is held captive within the foot/cap assembly. However, although the stud 33 cannot be removed, it is free to rotate relative to the cap 38 and foot 32.

The nut 39 is press fitted into the retaining collar 40 and the nut retaining collar 40 has a hexagonal formation into which the nut 39 is located. This prevents relative rotation between the nut 39 and the collar 40. It will be noted that the collar 40 also includes formations 45 on the external cylindrical surface that helped prevent relative rotation between the collar 40 and a bore in the rails 3 into which the collar 40 is inserted.

Hence, the foot mechanism 30 operates in a similar manner to the other two foot mechanisms 4, 20 and permits the distance between the foot 32 and the rail 3 to be adjusted by rotation of the threaded stud 33 relative to the rail 3.

As shown in Figure 15, the foot 32 has an underside 46 with grooves 47, 48 formed in the underside 46. The underside 46 engages with the spacer pad 31 and the grooves 47, 48 help prevent slippage of the foot 32 relative to the spacer pad 31. Similar grooving could be provided on the underside of the feet 5, 26. The spacer pad 31 enables additional height to be obtained where the spacing requirement is greater than can be achieved from adjustment of the threaded stud 33 by itself. It should be noted that the spacer pad 31 could be used with any adjustable foot mechanism.

Figures 17 to 21 show a fourth example of an adjustable foot mechanism 80 which is similar to the third adjustable foot mechanism 30 and is adjustable in the same manner that the adjustable foot mechanism 30 is adjustable. Components of the adjustable foot mechanism 80 that are identical to the adjustable foot mechanism 30 are indicated with the same reference numeral.

The main difference between the foot mechanism 30 and the foot mechanism 80, is that the foot mechanism 80 has a modified plastic cap 81 and a modified foot member 82. The plastic cap 81 has a central aperture 83 which is similar to the central aperture 42 in the cap 38. However, the cap 81 has locking formations 84 that are of a different design from the locking formations 43 on the cap 38. It will be noted that in the cap 81 the locking formations 84 are designed so that they extend vertically downwardly from the cap 81 , when the cap 81 is in the position shown in Figures 19 and 20.

The foot member 82 still has a generally circular foot print and has a circular recess 85 that is similar to the circular recess 41 in the foot 32. However, around the outside of the recess 85 are eight apertures 86 that correspond in relative positioning to the relative positions of the locking formations 84 on the cap 81. In addition, the foot 82 also has a number of ribs 87 extending radially outwardly on the upper surface of the foot 82.

Figures 18 and 20 show the underside of the foot 82 where it should be noted that the surface is smooth except for recesses 88 which extend radially outwardly on the bottom surface of the foot 82 and recesses 89 in the central section of the bottom surface of the foot 82.

In use, the adjustable foot mechanism is assembled in a similar manner to the adjustable foot mechanism 30. That is, head 35 of the stud 33 is inserted into the central recess 85 and the cap 81 slid over the stud 33 so that the stud 33 extends through the central aperture 83 in the cap 81. The cap 81 is then pressed downwardly towards the foot 82 so that the locking formations 84 engage with apertures 86 in the foot 82, which locks the cap 81 to the foot 82 and holds the head 35 captive within the recess 85. However, the head 35 can rotate relative to the foot 82 and cap 81.

The nut 39 is press fitted into the collar 40, as described above. However, in Figure 20 hexagonal formation 90 can be seen into which the nut 39 is inserted.

As shown in Figure 21 , the collar 40 with the nut 39 is then press fitted into a suitably formed bore 91 in the rail 3. The threaded stud 33 can then be screwed into the nut 39 by engaging a suitable wrench, such as an alien key with the hexagonal formation 37 in end 36 of the stud 33. When the adjustable foot mechanism 80 is adjusted so that the stud 33 is screwed as far into the nut 39 as possible and the cap 81 butts again the underside of the collar 40, the end 36 of the stud 33 extends into the thorough bore 17 formed in the decking board 2. In the example of the adjustable foot mechanism 80, the foot member 82 is formed from glass reinforced plastic (GRP) and the cap 81 is moulded from flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

In addition, although the stud 33 is shown with an internal (female) hexagonal formation 37. The stud 33 could also be formed with an external (male) hexagonal formation upstanding from end 36 of the stud 33.

A second example of a decking unit 50 is shown in Figures 4 to 6. The decking unit 50 is similar to the decking unit 1 but the decking boards 51 are longer than the decking boards 2 so that the decking unit 50 is rectangular in shape. In addition, three rails 3 are provided on the decking unit 50 instead of the two rails 3 used in the decking unit 1. The decking unit 50 also has six adjustable feet 4 to help support the increase in area of the decking unit 50 compared with the decking unit 1. Except for these differences, the decking unit 50 is the same as the decking unit 1 and functions in a similar manner with the adjustable feet 4 being adjustable from the opposite side of the decking unit 50 of which the feet are located by means of an Allen key inserted through bores 52 in the decking boards 51 above the feet 4 to engage with hexagonal formations in the end of threaded studs off the feet 4.

Figure 7 shows an example of the decking unit 1 located on a roof surface 60 covered by a waterproof membrane. In this example, the roof surface 60 is sloped to permit water run-off from the roof surface 60. The decking unit 1 is positioned on the roof surface 60 and in order to position the decking boards 2 horizontally, adjustable foot mechanism 4a is adjusted such that there is a minimum distance between the foot 5a and the rail 3 and at the opposite edge of the decking unit 1 the adjustable foot mechanism 4b is positioned on the spacer pad 31 and the foot 5b extended from the rail 3 by rotation of threaded stud 9 relative to the captive nut 12 held captive within the split collars 13, 14 located in the rail 3.

Figures 8 and 9 show installation of three of the decking units 50 to cover a septic tank 70. The septic tank 70 is located below the ground surface 71. Support tiles 72 are positioned at appropriate spacings on the ground surface 71 above the septic tank 70 so that feet 5 of each of the adjustable foot mechanisms 4 are located on a support tile 72. When the decking units 50 are positioned on the support tile 72, each of the adjustable feet 4 can be adjusted to the correct height to obtain a horizontal and level surface, as shown in Figure 8. As previously described, the height adjustment is facilitated by rotation of the threaded studs 9 relative to the captive nut 12 to retract or extend the foot 5 as appropriate to obtain a horizontal and level surface.

Although Figures 8 and 9 show a decking installation using only the units 50, a decking installation could use any number of different units and be configured to fit a particular space. For example, a decking installation could use any combination of units 1 , 50. In commercial production, three or more different standard sizes of decking units could be produced. Custom sized uits could also be produced as one-offs for a particular project.

For example, Figures 23 to 27 show three possible examples of standard size decking units. Decking unit 110 shown in Figures 22 and 23 is similar in size and construction to the decking unit 1 described above and shown in Figures 1 to 3. The only difference in the decking unit 110 is the addition of two stiffening members 111 along opposite edges of the board 111 extending between the supporting rails 3 adjacent to the outer most edges 112 of the outermost decking boards 2.

The purpose of the stiffening members 111 is to reduce flexing of the decking boards 2 between the supporting rails 3 and to reduce possible bowing of the decking unit 110.

Decking unit 115 shown in Figures 24 and 25 is substantially the same as the decking board 50 shown in Figures 4 to 6. The only difference between the decking unit 115 and the decking unit 50 is that the decking unit 115 includes two stiffening members 116. The stiffening members 116 perform the same functions as the stiffening members 111 in the decking unit 110 and extend along outer edges 117 of the outermost decking boards 51 to reduce flexing of the decking boards 51 between the support rails 3 and to reduce possible bowing of the decking unit 115.

Decking unit 120 is shown in Figures 26 and 27. The decking unit 120 has the same width as the decking unit 110 and 115 and is constructed from six decking boards 122 mounted on three support rails 3 with six adjustable foot mechanisms 4 mounted at opposite ends of each support rail 3. The length of the decking boards 122 is between the length of the decking board 2 and the decking boards 51 so that the decking unit 120 is as of a size that is intermediate between the decking unit 110 and the decking unit 115. As with the decking units 110, 1 15, the stiffening members 121 are located at outside edges 123 of the outermost decking boards 122 to reduce flex of the decking boards 122 between the support rails 3 and to reduce possible bowing of the decking unit 120.

Therefore, the raised decking surface can be installed using any combination of the decking units 110, 115, 120 to achieve the desired size and shape of the decking installation. In addition, if necessary, custom made, oneoff, sized decking units (not shown) could be constructed for use by themselves or for use in combination with any of the decking units 110, 115, 120 to complete a decking installation, where for example desired shape of the decking installation cannot be achieved using only decking units 110, 115, 120.

In the decking units 110, 115, 120 the adjustable foot mechanism used as the adjustable foot mechanism 80 shown in Figure 17 to 21. The end of the stud 33 with the internal hexagonal formation 37 is recessed to the decking board 122. This enables the formation 37 to be accessed and engaged by a hexagonal wrench and after suitable adjustment the holes in the decking boards 2, 51 , 122 permitting access to the hexagonal formation may be plugged. Typically the plug would be removable to permit subsequent access to the hexagonal formation, .for example if re-levelling the decking unit 110, 115, 120 is required. An advantage of the plug is that is covers the hexagonal formation 37 and reduces ingress of dirt into the formation 37 which could prevent correct engagement of a hexagonal wrench in the formation 37 if subsequent adjustment is required.

The decking units 110, 115, 120 each have spacers in the form of spacer screws 113 screwed into the outermost edges 112, 117,123 to separate adjacent decking units so that the spacing between the units is similar to the spacing between the decking boards within a unit.

Figures 28 to 30 show a second example of a spacer pad 125. The spacer 125 has a substantially circular foot print and has a flat bottom surface (not shown). The top surface is also flat and has three elastically deformable clips 127 that extend above the top surface 126. The clips 127 are spaced equidistantly and circumferencially around the outside of the spacer pad 125. Between the clips 127 are two recessed sections 128 which each include a lip 129 at the lower end of the recess section 128 adjacent to the bottom surface.

As shown in Figure 31 , the spacers can be coupled to each other by pushing the bottom of one of spacer 125a onto the top surface of a second spacer 125b and the clips 127b on the spacer 125b clip over three of the lips 129a on the spacer 125a. A further spacer 125c can be clipped onto the bottom of the spacer 125b in a similar manner. In fact any number of spacer pads 125 may be clipped together to obtain the desired spacer height. Typically the height of each spacer between the bottom surface of the spacer 125 and the top surface 126 is approximately equal to the adjustment distance of the adjustable foot mechanism that the spacer 125 is used in conjunction with.

The spacer 125 is designed to be compatible with the adjustable foot mechanism 80 so that the foot 82 may also be clipped into top spacer 125a such that the clips 127a retain the foot 82 in position on the top surface 126a of the spacer 125a. The foot 82 may be disengaged from the spacer 125a and the spacers 125a, 125b, 125c may be disengaged from each other by releasing the clips 127 from the foot 82 or the lips 129 by flexing the clips away from the edge of the foot 82 or away from the edge of the lips 129 to release the foot 82 from engagement with the clips 127a or the lips 129 from engagement with the clips 127.

Figures 32 and 33 show a joiner plate for securing board decking units together to prevent relative slippage and movement of the decking units. The joiner plate 135 has a generally circular profile with a circular dish 138 having four screw holes 136. The joiner plate also includes 4 ribs 137 extending radially outward from the centre of the circular disk 138 and that extend also downwardly from the disk 138 to create a cross-shape that divides circular plate 138 into quadrants with one of the screw holes 136 catered centrally within each quadrant.

In use, the joiner plate is used to secure four decking units 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d together by inserting a corner of each of the decking units 110a to 110d into a quadrant of the joiner plate 135 so that the corner of the respective decking unit locks against the ribs 137 and then securing the joiner plate 135 to each corner using screw inserted through the screw holes

136 into the decking board of each decking unit 110 to 110d that is located in the quadrant of the joiner plate. Preferably, the corners of the decking boards that are inserted into the joiner plate are recessed so that after the joiner plate 135 has been secured to each of the decking units 110a to 110d the top of the joiner plate 135 is flush with the top surface of the decking boards too.

Figures 35 and 36 show a joiner plate 140 for joining two decking units together. The joiner plate 140 operates in a similar manner to the joiner plate 135 except that the joiner plate 140 is a generally semi-circular profile with semi-circular top disk 141 and one rib 142 extending downwardly from the top plate 141 and dividing the top plate 141 into two quadrants each with a screw hole 136. In use, the joiner plate 140 operates and is used in the same manner as the joiner plate 135 except that it is used to secure only two decking units together.

Although in the example above the joiner plate 135 was described as being used to join decking units 110 together, the joiner plate 135 and the joiner plate 140 could be used to join any of the decking units 1 , 51 , 110, 115, 120 together as required. It could also be used to secure different combinations of decking units together.

An advantage of the joiner plates 135, 140 is that the respective ribs 137, 142 act as spacers between the individual units and the thickness of the ribs 137, 142 can be chosen such that the space between the decking units and therefore spacing between adjacent boards of different decking units is the same as the spacing between decking boards within one unit. This reduces the requirement to have the spacer screws 113 in the outer edges of the outer most boards of each decking unit 110, 115, 120.

Although in the examples described above, particular reference is made to use of the invention with decking, it could also be used with other flooring systems (either internal or external) to facilitate height adjustment and levelling of a raised floor above another surface. For example, the invention could be used for internal flooring as a raised floor in an office, in other internal environment, to enable services such as wiring for power, telecommunications and/or ethernet to be accommodated under the missed flooring.

The invention has the advantage of permitting modular deployment of flooring, and especially decking, and after positioning of the modular flooring permitting height adjustment of the individual modules while the modules are in position to facilitate levelling of the individual modules and to ensure the top surface of each- module is level with respect to the other modules. That is, the height adjustment can be performed with the module in position, as the height adjustment facility can be accessed from the top surface of the decking units 1 , 50.

In addition, the invention has the advantage that it facilitates relatively easy access to the surface on which the flooring system is positioned as each individual module may be lifted from the surface for access to the surface without requiring renewal of individual decking boards from the rails. This is further enhanced by the adjustable feet mechanisms 4, 20, 30 being integrated into the decking units 1 , 50. This avoids the necessity of the feet mechanisms having to be prioritised separately from the decking and means that if a decking unit is moved, the feet supporting the decking unit are moved with the decking unit.

There is also the advantage that the decking units 1 , 50 can be manufactured and assembled off-site in a factory environment. This makes manufacturing and assembly easier and more efficient. It also has the advantage of reducing installation time on-site.

Claims

1. A support device for a floor panel, the support device comprising a foot member having a support surface, an elongate member extending from the foot member, an engagement member adapted to be engaged with the elongate member and movable along the elongate member, and a mounting means adapted to enable the support device to be mounted on a floor panel, and wherein an engagement formation is formed on one of the engagement member and the elongate member, movement of the engagement formation enabling the engagement member to be moved along the elongate member when the support device is mounted on a floor panel, and the engagement formation being accessible from the opposite side of the mounting means from the side on which the foot member is located.

2. A support device according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement formation is formed on a threaded stud and the engagement member includes an internal thread which receives the threaded stud, such that relative rotation between the threaded stud and the engagement member causes the engagement member to move along the threaded stud.

3. A support device according to claim 2, wherein the engagement member comprises a threaded nut.

4. A suggest device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement member forms part of the mounting means.

5. A support device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement formation is formed on the elongate member.

6. A support device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the foot member is mounted on the elongate member.

7. A support device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member and the foot member are rotatable relative to each other.

8. A support device according to claim 7, wherein the elongate member has a head portion that is rotatably mounted on the foot member.

9. A support device according to claim 8, wherein the head portion is circular.

10. A support device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the head portion is spherical.

11. A flooring unit comprising a floor panel and a support device, the support device being adjustably mounted on the floor panel and having a support surface located on one side of the floor panel and an engagement formation accessible from the opposite side of the floor panel, movement of the engagement formation from the opposite side of the floor panel causing the separation of the engagement surface from the floor panel to be adjusted.

12. A flooring unit according to claim 11 , wherein the flooring unit comprises three support devices.

13. A flooring unit according to claim 12, wherein a support device is located adjacent each corner of the floor panel.

14. A flooring unit according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein a support device is located between corners of the floor panel.

15. A flooring unit according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the floor panel comprises a number of elongate floor members and a number of support members, the floor members being transverse to the support members and being attached to the support member.

16. A flooring unit according to claim 15, wherein each support device is adjustably mounted on a support member.

17. A flooring unit according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the elongate floor members are substantially perpendicular to the support member.

18. A flooring unit according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the elongate flooring members are wooden.

19. A flooring unit according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the support members are wooden.

20. A floor panel according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the support members are located on the same side of the floor panel as the support surface of the support devices.

21. A flooring unit according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the floor panel comprises a single floor member.

22. A flooring unit according to claim 21 , wherein the floor panel further comprises a support member.

23. A flooring unit according to any of claims 11 to 22, further comprising a stiffening member.

24. A flooring unit according to claim 23, wherein the stiffening member is provided along an edge of the floor panel.

25. A flooring unit according to any of claims 11 to 25, wherein the support device is rotatably adjustable such that rotation of the engagement formation either extends the support surface away from the floor panel or retracts the support surface towards the floor panel.

26. A flooring unit according to any of the claims 11 to 25, wherein the support surface is defined by a foot member.

27. A flooring unit according to any of claims 11 to 26, wherein the support device is a support device in accordance with any of claims 1 to 10.

28. A flooring unit according to claim 27, wherein the engagement member is retained stationary with respect to the floor panel.

29. A flooring system comprising a number of flooring units in accordance with any of claims 11 to 28.

30. A flooring system according to claim 29, further comprising a number of spacers, a spacer being positionable below a support surface.

31. A flooring system according to claim 30, wherein the spacer may be coupled to the support surface.

32. A flooring system according to claim 31 , wherein the spacer may be releasably coupled to the support surface.

33. A flooring system according to any of claims 30 to 32, wherein two or more spacers may be coupled to each other to form a spacer stack.

34. A flooring system according to any of claims 31 to 33, wherein the spacer comprises a clip mechanism.

35. A flooring system according to claim 34, wherein the clip mechanism comprises a number of elastically deformable clips.

36. A flooring system according to claim 35, wherein the elastically deformable clips are spaced around the spacer.

37. A flooring system according to claim 36, wherein the clips are spaced circumferentially around the spacer.

38. A flooring system according to claim 36 or claim 37, wherein the clips are spaced equidistantly around the spacer.

39. A flooring system according to any of claims 34 to 37 wherein the clip mechanism further comprises a number of spacer engagement formations adapted to be engaged by the deformable clips on another spacer to enable two or more spacers to be coupled together to form a spacer stack.

40. A flooring system according to claim 38, wherein there are more spacer engagement formations than deformable clips on each spacer.

41. A flooring system according to any of claims 34 to 38, wherein there are three elastically deformable clips.

42. A flooring system according to claim 41 when dependent on claim 39, wherein there are at least three spacer engagement formations.

43. A flooring system according to claim 42, wherein there are two engagement formations for each releasable clip.

44. A flooring system according to any claims 29 to 43, further comprising a securing device to secure adjacent flooring units together.

45. A flooring system according to claim 44, wherein the securing device includes a spacing device to space the adjacent flooring units being secured by the securing device.

46. A flooring system according to claim 44 or claim 45, wherein the securing device is in the form of a plate with ribs depending from the surface of the plate, the ribs defining the spacing device.

47. A method of installing a flooring system in accordance with any of claims 29 to 46, the method comprising positioning a first flooring unit in a desired location on a surface to be covered by the flooring system, adjusting the support devices so that the top surface of the floor panel is at a desired angle to the horizontal, positioning another floor panel adjacent to the first panel and adjusting the support devices of the other panel until the top surface of the other panel is level with the first panel and at the same angle, and installing the remaining panels to form a continuous floor area, each of the support devices of the remaining panels being adjusted such that the top surfaces of the panels are level with each other and at the same angle.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the support devices are adjusted such that the top surface of the floor panels are substantially horizontal.