Technical field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bar system for building

constructions, comprising a bar and level adjustment means. The bar has a longitudinal direction and comprises a recess positioned in a shank of the bar. The bar is adapted in use to at least partly enclose the level adjustment means. The level adjustment means comprises a level adjustment block and a level adjustment projection adapted to project from the bar against a support structure. The level adjustment means are adapted to engage with the recess of the bar.

Background of the Invention

It is common to mount floors, interior walls or similar surfaces, such that a spacing is formed between the mounted surface and the support structure. For this purpose, bars may be placed so as to rest against the support structure, whereupon the new surface material may be attached to the bars. Since the surface of the support structure generally is uneven, it is advantageous to provide the bars with level adjustment means which easily may be adjusted to raise the bars somewhat from the support structure and to orientate the bars in a simple manner. Also, since the support structure, e.g. concrete or the like, often is hard and completely rigid, it is desirable to be able to arrange dampening means between the bars and the support structure for enabling a good working or living environment and for avoiding health problems such as pain in backs and legs.

One example of a bar system having level adjustment means is described in WO 201 1/066854, where the bar system comprises bars, dampening means and level adjustment means. The level adjustment means comprise a threaded support rod and a rectangular block having a height and being equipped with engagement means. Each of the bars comprises a recess adapted to engage with the engagement means and being positioned in a shank of the bars. The shank is adapted to press the engagement means towards the level adjustment means during application of the bars to the level adjustment means. The recess is adapted to allow the engagement means for moving resiliently back for engagement with the recess in an interconnected position.

However, features and characteristics of the bar system, such as e.g. the dampening effect, in WO 201 1/066854 is dependent on the height of the bar system. For some applications it would be desirable to provide for a bar system with a relatively low height, i.e. a reduced height compared to that of WO 201 1/066854.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the above-mentioned and other drawbacks of the prior art, a general object of the present invention is to provide an improved bar system which is suitable for situations when the height of the system should be relatively low.

The present invention is based on the insight that a lower height of the bar system may be provided if a resilient engagement means of the level adjustment means is pivoted about a geometrical axis which allows for an improved spring-back function/action of the engagement means compared to prior art, when the size of the level adjustment block is reduced. If the height of the level adjustment block in prior art would be further reduced, there is a risk that the engagement means would become less elastic or even too rigid to properly function, that is, there would be a risk that the spring back function of the engagement means would be reduced to a point where the function of the engagement means would cease to function. An obvious solution would be to change the material of the engagement means and/or of the level adjustment means in order to improve the spring-back function of the engagement means.

According to an aspect of the present invention, bar system for building constructions is provided. The bar system comprises:

level adjustment means comprising a level adjustment projection and a level adjustment block, the level adjustment block having a bottom surface, a top surface and a height extending along a geometrical vertical axis from the bottom surface to the top surface; and

a bar having a longitudinal direction and adapted in use to at least partly enclose the level adjustment means;

the level adjustment projection being adapted to project parallel to the geometrical vertical axis from the bar against a support structure;

the level adjustment block comprising resilient engagement means adapted for engagement with the bar;

the bar comprising:

a shank adapted to press the resilient engagement means during application of the bar to the level adjustment means; and

a recess arranged in the shank and adapted to allow the resilient engagement means to move resiliently back for engagement with the recess;

wherein

the resilient engagement means is adapted to pivot about a

geometrical axis extending from the bottom surface to the top surface of the level adjustment block during application of the bar to the level adjustment means.

Hereby, the connection between the level adjustment means and the bar may be functional regardless of the height, i.e. the thickness, of the level adjustment block, since pivoting the resilient engagement means about a geometrical axis extending from the bottom surface to the top surface of the level adjustment block implies that the leverage of the resilient engagement means is independent of the height. Thus, the spring-back function of the resilient engagement means may be improved compared to prior art having engagement means pivoting about an axis which is parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the level adjustment block, when the size of the level adjustment block is reduced. More specifically, the invention allows for the height of the level adjustment block to be made small, i.e. the level

adjustment block may be made thin, while still providing for a good spring- back function of the engagement means. Thus, a desired connection between the level adjustment means and the bar may be achieved. By having the level adjustment block made thin, less material may be used when manufacturing the level adjustment block resulting in a more cost-efficient bar system.

It should be understood that the resilient engagement is

resilient/spring-like in order to be able to be pivoted about an axis for subsequent connection to the recess of the shank and thus letting the level adjustment means being connected to the bar. The spring-back function may be achieved in different ways, one alternative is to thin the material of the engagement means along the geometrical axis of which the resilient engagement means is pivoted about, another option is to provide space behind the geometrical axis of which the resilient engagement means is pivoted about. Alternatively, the engagement means may be pivoted about the geometrical axis by a spring-based hinge which allows for the

engagement means to be rigid and thus be rigidly moved relative the level adjustment block.

Moreover, the phrasing moving resiliently back means here that the engagement means are moved back to its initial position, or substantially to its initial position, the initial position being defined as the position of the resilient engagement means relative the level adjustment block before the application of the bar to the level adjustment means, i.e. a resting position for the engagement means. Thus, the geometrical axis around which the resilient engagement means pivots, extends in a direction from any portion of the bottom surface to any portion of the top surface.

The bottom surface and the top surface of the level adjustment block do not have to be flat surfaces but may be bent or inclined with an angle compared to a flat top or bottom surface.

According to at least one example embodiment, the geometrical axis which the engagement means is adapted to pivot about is parallel to or coinciding with the geometrical vertical axis. Thus, the resilient engagement means may be pivoted about an axis being parallel to the height of the level adjustment block.

According to at least one example embodiment, the geometrical axis which the engagement means is adapted to pivot about deviates from the geometrical vertical axis by no more than 45°. Hereby, the resilient engagement means may be pivoted about an axis being inclined compared to the height of the level adjustment block.

According to at least one example embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the shank is perpendicular to the geometrical vertical axis. In this embodiment, the height of the level adjustment block is at least perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bar, and furthermore, the resilient engagement means is adapted to be pivoted about an axis which is perpendicular or inclined compared to longitudinal direction of the shank.

According to at least one example embodiment, the level adjustment block further comprises a first surface portion; and the resilient engagement means further comprises a first connecting portion and an engagement portion having a protrusion for engagement with the recess, the first connecting portion being arranged between the first surface portion and the engagement portion, wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the first surface portion along at least a part of the height of the level adjustment block. Alternatively, the first connection portion is connected to the first surface portion along the entire height of the level adjustment block. It should be understood that the first connection portions may be connected to the first surface portion along at least a part of the height, or the entire height, along the geometrical vertical axis, but could alternatively extend along a direction deviating from the geometrical vertical axis, but the first connecting portion may still have a general direction of extension from the bottom surface to the top surface of the level adjustment block.

Hereby, a convenient way of pivoting the resilient engagement means about the geometrical axis extending from the bottom surface to the top surface of the level adjustment block is provided. Owing to this, the spring- back function of the resilient engagement means may be improved for a level adjustment block having a reduced height compared to prior art since the resilient engagement means is connected to the first surface portion of the level adjustment block. That is, a leverage of the resilient engagement means may be made greater by increasing the extension of the resilient engagement means in the longitudinal direction at the cost of reducing the corresponding extension of the first surface portion. For prior art, a leverage of the engagement means may only be made greater at the expense of increasing the height of the level adjustment block.

It should be noted that by letting the first connecting portion of the resilient engagement means be connected to the first surface portion of the level adjustment block along at least at part of the height of the level adjustment block, the resilient engagement means may be pivoted about a geometrical axis parallel to, or coinciding with, a height of the first connecting portion, which height may be parallel to the height of the level adjustment block.

It should be understood that the engagement portion and its protrusion is configured and dimensioned to connect with the recess of the shank. For example, the protrusion may extend along or be slightly inclined to the height of the level adjustment block and have the shape of a bevelled edge facing the top surface of the level adjustment block, while the recess may be shaped to allow the protrusion to engage with the recess. Alternatively, the protrusion may extend along or be slightly inclined to the longitudinal direction of the bar and have the shape of a bevelled edge facing the first surface portion of the level adjustment block. For the latter, it is presumed that the level adjustment block is inserted into the block from a side, i.e. along the longitudinal direction of the bar.

According to at least one example embodiment, the resilient engagement means is made in one piece with the first surface portion of the level adjustment block.

Hereby, the manufacturing of the level adjustment block may be facilitated since less, or no, separate internal parts of the block need to be connected to each other.

According to at least one example embodiment, the first connecting portion of the resilient engagement means is formed as an indentation compared to the first surface portion.

In other words, the first connecting portion may be formed as a depression compared to the first surface portion. Thus, the indentation may provide for a distinct portion of the level adjustment block at which the resilient engagement means may be bent, or pivoted. Moreover, according to at least one example embodiment the indentation implies that the spring-back function of the resilient engagement means is improved for a thin level adjustment block, compared to a level adjustment block with no indentation. According to at least one example embodiment, the first connecting portion of the resilient engagement means is formed as an indentation compared to the engagement portion and/or another portion of the resilient engagement means. For example, the first connecting portion and the first surface portion may be aligned with each other but not with the engagement portion and/or another portion of the resilient engagement means. Hereby, an alternative way of achieving an indentation with the advantages as previously described is provided for.

Furthermore, the indentation may have a height extending along the height of the level adjustment block, and the geometrical axis which the resilient engagement means is pivoted about may coincide, or be parallel with the height of the indentation.

According to at least one example embodiment, the level adjustment block further comprises a second surface portion; and the resilient

engagement means further comprises a second connecting portion arranged between the second surface portion and the engagement portion such that the engagement portion is arranged between the first and the second connecting portions, wherein the second connecting portion is connected to the second surface portion along at least a part of the height of the level adjustment block.

Hereby, the resilient engagement means may be pivoted about two geometrical axis extending from the bottom surface to the top surface of the level adjustment block. Thus, the spring-back function of the resilient engagement means may be even more improved compared to prior art for a level adjustment block having a relatively small height, since the resilient engagement means is connected to both the first surface portion and the second surface portion of the level adjustment block. That is, the leverage of the resilient engagement means may be increased (or decreased) at the expense of reducing the size of both, or one of, the first surface portion and the second surface portion, to which the resilient engagennent means is connected.

It should be noted that by letting the second connecting portion of the resilient engagement means be connected to the second surface portion of the level adjustment block along at least at part of the height of the level adjustment block, the resilient engagement means may be pivoted about a geometrical axis parallel to, or coinciding with, a height of the second connecting portion, which height may be parallel to the height of the level adjustment block. Furthermore, it should be understood that by letting the resilient engagement means be connected to the first and the second surface portion, i.e. by letting the resilient engagement means be connected to two separate surface portions of the level adjustment block, the resilient engagement means may pivot about two geometrical axes. These two geometrical axes may be, but do not have to be, parallel to each other. For example, the two geometrical axes may be parallel to the geometrical vertical axis, but they may also be inclined compared to the geometrical vertical axis. Furthermore, by letting the resilient engagement means be connected to two separate surface portions of the level adjustment block, e.g. such that the two surface portions forms a wall of the level adjustment block, the block may be structurally strengthened. Hereby, the level adjustment block may sustain external weight, from e.g. a floor, better.

It should be understood that the engagement portion of the resilient engagement means are arranged between the first and the second

connecting portion, and that the engagement means are arranged between the first and the second surface portion of the level adjustment block.

According to at least one example embodiment, the resilient engagement means is made in one piece with the first surface portion and the second surface portion of the level adjustment block.

Hereby, the manufacturing of the level adjustment block may be facilitated since less, or no, separate internal parts of the block need to be connected to each other.

According to at least one example embodiment, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of the resilient engagement means are formed as indentations compared to the first and/or the second surface portion.

The features, advantages and embodiments described with reference to the indentation formed for the first connecting portion also applies for the indentation formed for the second connecting portion. Thus, by having two indentations, the spring-back function of the resilient engagement means may be even more improved for a thin level adjustment block, compared to a level adjustment block with no indentation.

According to at least one example embodiment, the resilient engagement means may be a bent or a flanged resilient engagement means. That is, the resilient engagement means may have indentations and/or depressions formed in such a way that a bent resilient engagement means is provided.

According to at least one example embodiment, a space is provided between the resilient engagement means and another portion of the level adjustment block, wherein the resilient engagement means is adapted to be pressed into the space by the shank during application of the bar to the level adjustment means. The another portion of the level adjustment block may be an outer wall of an internal through hole of the level adjustment block (e.g. a through hole for guiding the level adjustment projection of the level adjustment means). Alternatively, the another portion of the level adjustment block may be an internal surface of the level adjustment block, the internal surface may be extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bar and the geometrical vertical axis.

Thus, the space, which e.g. may be an empty space, allows the resilient engagement means to be pivoted, or bent, and thus be pressed into the space by the shank of the bar. The space may for example be arranged adjacent to at least 30 % of the surface area of the resilient engagement means. Furthermore, the space may preferably provide for a volume large enough for allowing a sufficient spring-back function of the resilient engagement means. Thus, a desired connection between the level adjustment means and the bar may be achieved. According to at least one example embodiment, the resilient

engagement means is adapted to pivot about a geometrical axis extending from the bottom surface to the top surface of the level adjustment block during application of the bar to the level adjustment means, in such a way that the resilient engagement means is moved towards the internal through hole of the level adjustment block. For example, the resilient engagement means may be moved in a transversal direction towards the internal through hole of the level adjustment block.

According to at least one example embodiment, the space provided between the resilient engagement means and another portion of the level adjustment block comprises a porous material, wherein the resilient engagement means is adapted to be pressed into the porous material by the shank during application of the bar to the level adjustment means.

The effects and features of having a porous material between the resilient engagement means and another portion of the level adjustment block are similar to those described in relation with having a corresponding space, e.g. an empty space. However, the porous material may be preferred due to manufacturing process preferences. The porous material may e.g. be a part of the level adjustment block and may be made out of same material but may comprise holes or voids in order for achieving the porous characteristic of the material. The porous material may also affect the strength of how the resilient engagement portion is connected to the recess of the shank differently compared to the space, e.g. the empty space, as previously described. The porous material may e.g. affect the resilient engagement portion in such a way that the resilient engagement means is more reluctant to be pressed into the porous material, compared to being pressed into a space, e.g. an empty space.

Alternatively, the space provided between the resilient engagement means and another portion of the level adjustment block comprises a rubber material or another resilient material.

According to at least one example embodiment, the first surface portion and the second surface portion are part of a common surface. This may for example be the case if the level adjustment block has an oval or disk-like form. Alternatively the first surface portion and the second surface portion may be connected above or below the engagement portion as seen along the geometrical vertical axis. However, it should be understood that the engagement portion is located between the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

According to at least one example embodiment, the resilient engagement means is adapted to pivot about the first connecting portion and about the second connecting portion of the resilient engagement means during application of the bar to the level adjustment means.

According to at least one example embodiment, the first and the second connecting portions of the resilient engagement means are

geometrical lines, such as parallel geometrical lines, extending along the height, such as along the entire height, of the level adjustment block.

Thus, the resilient engagement means may be pivoted about the geometrical lines.

According to at least one example embodiment, the bar system in use is arranged such that: the bar at least partly encloses the level adjustment means; the resilient engagement means of the level adjustment block engages with the recess of the bars such that the level adjustment block are detachably connected to the bar; and the level adjustment projection projects from the bar and extends through a through hole of the level adjustment block against the support structure.

By having the level adjustment block, and hence the level adjustment means, detachably connectable to the bars, the level adjustment block, and hence the level adjustment means, may be detached and connected to each other at will. The level adjustment block may e.g. be detachably connected to the bar by snap fastening. For example, the protrusion of the engagement portion of the resilient engagement means may be snap fastened to the recess of the bar. That is, during application of the bar to the level adjustment means, the shank of the bar first deflects the resilient engagement means by e.g. pressing the protrusion of the engagement portion. Hereby, the engagement means is pivoted at least about the geometrical axis as described with reference to any of the preceding embodiments. Secondly, the engagement means is connected to the bar by e.g. snap fastening of the protrusion of the engagement portion to the recess of the bar. That is, the recess of the bar is configured and dimensioned to receive the protrusion of the engagement portion of the engagement means. Thirdly, the level adjustment means may be detached from the bar by letting the protrusion of the engagement portion to be snapped out of the recess of the bar by application of a force on the engagement portion, e.g. on the protrusion of the engagement portion.

Furthermore, the level adjustment block and the level adjustment projections may be two different parts, i.e. be physically separable from each other. Alternatively, the level adjustment block and the level adjustment projection may be physically connected to each other.

According to at least one example embodiment, the resilient engagement means is a first resilient engagement means, and the level adjustment block further comprises second resilient engagement means similar to the first resilient engagement means and arranged opposite to the first resilient engagement means.

Hereby, the connection of the level adjustment means to the bar may be further improved by providing for a second engagement of the level adjustment block and the bar. Also, the second resilient engagement means may provide for redundancy for the bar system if one of the resilient engagement means are broken.

According to at least one example embodiment, the bar system further comprises dampening means arranged between the bar and the level adjustment block.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with a level adjustment block having a relatively small height, the invention is still applicable for a level adjustment block having a relatively large height, such as e.g. a height similar to that of the prior art. Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the illustrative and non-limiting appended drawings showing example embodiments of the invention, wherein:

fig. 1 a illustrates a bar system according to at least one example embodiment of the invention;

figs. 1 b-1 c illustrate parts of the bar system shown in fig. 1 a; and fig. 2 illustrates a level adjustment block according to at least one other example embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

The embodiments of the invention described and illustrated here are intended to be standing on a support structure, such as e.g. a concrete floor, wall and/or ceiling. Fig. 1 a illustrates a bar system 1 while figs. 1 b-1 c illustrate parts of the bar system 1 . The bar system 1 generally comprises level adjustment means 2, a bar 5 having a longitudinal direction L, and dampening means 7. Furthermore, the level adjustment means 2 generally comprises a threaded level adjustment projection 10 and a level adjustment block 20 having a height h extending along a geometrical vertical axis V.

The longitudinal direction L of the bar 5 may be perpendicular to the geometrical vertical axis V. Thus, a plane defined by the geometrical vertical axis V and the longitudinal direction L may be referred to as a vertical plane and a side or a surface of any part of the bar system 1 arranged in, or parallel to, that vertical plane may be referred to as a vertical side or a vertical surface. Moreover a plane defined by the longitudinal direction L and an axis being perpendicular to both the geometrical vertical axis V and the

longitudinal direction L may be referred to as a horizontal plane.

Correspondingly, a side or a surface of any part of the bar system 1 arranged in, or parallel to, that horizontal plane may be referred to as a horizontal side or a horizontal surface. Moreover, a vertical direction is referring to a direction along, or parallel to, the geometrical vertical axis and a transverse direction is referring to a direction along, or parallel to, an axis being perpendicular to both the geometrical vertical axis V and the longitudinal direction L. As illustrated in fig. 1 a, the bar 5 is generally U-shaped and comprises shanks 50a, 50b on a respective vertical side of a top horizontal side 50c. The bar 5 further comprises two outwardly projecting horizontal flanges 52a, 52b at one end of each shank 50a, 50b. The top horizontal side 50c of the bar 5 is provided with a top hole 54 configured and dimensioned for receiving the threaded level adjustment projection 10. Furthermore, the shank 50a comprise a recess 56 formed as a through recess 56.

The threaded level adjustment projection 10 is in fig. 1 a extending along the geometrical vertical axis V and is provided with an internal cavity having a cross-sectional shape 12 which, at least at an upper end, is suitable for tool engagement. For example, the cavity may have a hexagonal cross- sectional shape allowing the threaded level adjustment projection 10 to be rotated for level adjustment by means of an Allen wrench. A lower end (not shown) of the level adjustment projection 10 may be closed and/or provided with a small through hole which may receive a suitable fastener , such as e.g. a screw or nail for fixing the bar system 1 to the support structure.

During assemblage of the level adjustment block 20 in fig. 1 a to the bar 5, the level adjustment block 20 is pushed into the U-shaped bar 5 such that a hook formed protrusion 26 of the level adjustment block 20 is pressed by the shank 50a of the bar 5. When the protrusion 26 is positioned at the

corresponding through recess 56 of the shank 50a, the protrusion 26 is moved back resiliently and snapped into engagement with the through recess 56. Hereby, the bar 5 encloses, or at least partly encloses, the level adjustment block 20. Consequently, the height h of level adjustment block 20 may be made smaller than a height H of the shanks 50a, 50b.

Thus, the bar system 1 in fig. 1 a is an assembled bar system 1 since the level adjustment means 2 are connected to the bar 5. That is, the level adjustment block 20 is detachably connected to the bar by the hook formed protrusion 26 of the level adjustment block 20 being detachably engaged with the through recess 56. Furthermore, for the assembled bar system 1 , the level adjustment projection 10 is arranged through the top hole 54 of the bar 5 and engages with the level adjustment block 20. Moreover, dampening means 7 (shown in fig. 1 b) may be arranged between the level adjustment block 20 and the top horizontal side 50c of the bar 5.

It should be noted that, for explanatory purposes, the bar system 1 in fig. 1 a has simply been illustrated as a short bar receiving only one level adjustment means 2. However, the bar system 1 may be a part of a larger bar system, and that the bar 5 e.g. may be made longer with more top holes 54 and more through recesses 56 for enabling with connection/engagement with more level adjustment means 2. Furthermore, the bar system 1 may comprise several bars 5, similar to that disclosed in fig. 1 a.

In fig 1 b, the dampening means 7 is illustrated as a rectangular dampening pad 7 having a longitudinal extension I in the longitudinal direction L of the bar 5. Furthermore, the dampening pad 7 comprises a vertical through hole 70, configured and dimensioned to coincide with an internally threaded vertical through hole 40 of the level adjustment block 20. Moreover, the dampening means 7 has a predetermined thickness t extending in the same direction as the height h for the level adjustment block 20. As illustrated in fig. 1 b the dampening pad 7 may have essentially the same extension along the longitudinal extension I as the level adjustment block 20.

Alternatively the extension of the dampening pad 7 along the longitudinal extension I may be slightly smaller or greater compared to the corresponding extension of the level adjustment block 20. Moreover, the extension of the dampening pad 7 in the transversal direction (perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis and the geometrical axis V) may be essentially the same, or slightly smaller or slightly greater, compared to the corresponding transversal extension of the level adjustment block 20.

The material of the dampening means 7 may comprise an elastomer having a high resistance to short-term extreme overloads and springs back elastically after loading. The dampening means 7 may furthermore act damping on sounds and vibrations acted upon the bar 5.

In the following section, an exemplary embodiment of the level adjustment block 20 will be elucidated with reference to fig. 1 c. Here, the level adjustment block 20 is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped with height h extending along the geometrical vertical axis V from a bottom surface 30 to a top surface 32 of the level adjustment block 20. The longitudinal extension I of the level adjustment block 20 may be aligned, or parallel with, the longitudinal extension I of the dampening means 7 and/or the longitudinal direction L of the bar 5. Furthermore, the longitudinal extension I of the level adjustment block 20 may be perpendicular to the geometrical vertical axis V.

As also illustrated in fig. 1 c, the level adjustment block 20 comprises resilient engagement means 22 having an engagement portion 24 with the hook formed protrusion 26 mentioned with reference to fig. 1 a. However, in fig. 1 c the protrusion 26 is more clearly illustrated having a shape of a bevelled edge facing the top surface 32 of the level adjustment block 20. The bevelled edge is advantageous since it facilitates application of the level adjustment block 20 to the bar 5. However, within the scope of the invention the edge does not have to be bevelled, for instance the edge may be curved or straight.

In fig. 1 c, the resilient engagement means 22 are arranged between a first surface portion 34a and a second surface portion 34b, wherein each surface portion 34a, 34b in fig. 1 c is a vertical surface. The resilient engagement portion 22 further comprises a first connecting portion 28a and a second connecting portion 28b arranged on each side of the engagement portion 24. In fig. 1 c, the first connecting portion 28a is connected to the first surface portion 34a along the entire height h of the level adjustment block 20, and correspondingly, the second connecting portion 28b is connected to the second surface portion 34b along the entire height h of the level adjustment block 20. In other words, the first and the second connecting portions 28a, 28b may be vertical surfaces and may be made in one piece with the first and second surface portions 34a, 34b. As illustrated in fig. 1 c, the first and the second connecting portions 28a, 28b may be formed as indentations, or depressions, compared to the first and the second surface portions 34a, 34b and/or the engagement portion 24. In other words, the first and the second connecting portions 34a, 34b may be contained in a vertical plane which is displaced from the vertical plane or planes containing the first and the second surface portions 34a, 34b and/or the engagement portion 24. The

engagement portion 24 may either be contained in the same vertical plane as the first and second connecting portions 34a, 34b, or in a different vertical plane. However, it should be noted that the first and the second connecting portions 28a, 28b do not have to extend parallel to the geometrical vertical axis V but may be inclined compared to the geometrical vertical axis V. For example, the first connecting portion and/or the second connecting portion may be inclined with 45° compared to the geometrical vertical axis V.

As previously mentioned, the level adjustment block 20 in figs. 1 a-1 c is provided with an internally threaded vertical through hole 40 which extends from the bottom surface 30 to the top surface 32, and which is adapted to received the threaded level adjustment projection 10 (in fig. 1 a the level adjustment projection 10 is shown when screwed into the internally threaded vertical through hole 40). The through hole 40 is centred in the longitudinal direction I of the level adjustment block 20 such that the top surface 32 of the level adjustment block 20 is divided into two top contact surfaces 32a, 32b.

A space 42 is provided between the resilient engagement means 22 and a wall portion enclosing the internally threaded vertical through hole 40. The space 42 has a form similar to that of a truncated prism (pentahedron) with the resilient engagement means 22 as the square base (i.e. the space 42 has a trapezoidal-like cross-section as seen in the horizontal plane). The difference from a truncated prism-form being that the opposite side to the square base of space 42 consists of a rounded outer surface of the wall portion enclosing the through hole 40, instead of a flat surface as would be the case for a regular truncated prism.

The level adjustment block 20 and the dampening means 7 may be configured with guiding and retaining means 44 intended to guide the dampening means 7 to a correct position during application of the dampening means 7 and to retain the dampening means 7 in this correct position during assemblage and use of the bar system 1 . The correct position being a position where the dampening pad 7 is covering, such as e.g. partly covering or fully covering, the top surface 32 of the level adjustment block 20 and where the centre of the vertical through hole 70 is in register with the centre of the internally threaded vertical through hole 40 such that both vertical through holes 40, 70 are arranged to receive the level adjustment projections 10. Thus, it should be understood that the dampening pad 7 is adapted to cover, such as e.g. at least partly cover, the top surface 32 of the level adjustment block while still being adapted to fit inside the bar 5. The vertical through hole 70 may be internally threaded or it may be free of internal threads. Either way, it should be understood that the vertical through hole 70 of the dampening pad 7 is configured and dimensioned to receive the level adjustment projections 10.

The guiding and retaining means 44 comprise two holes 46a, 46b extending from respective top contacting surface 32a, 32b towards the bottom surface 30 of the level adjustment block 20, and two corresponding

projections (not shown) extending from the dampening pad 7 towards the top surface 32 of the level adjustment block 20. Thus, the two holes 46a, 46b are configured and dimensioned to receive the two projections of the dampening pad 7. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the guiding and retaining means 44 presented here, and the guiding and retaining means 44 may be configured in many other ways. For example, the guiding and retaining means 44 may be formed as elongated channels/depressions in respective top contacting surface 32a, 32b, the elongated

channels/depressions being configured and dimensioned to receive

corresponding projections of the dampening pad 7. Alternatively, the guiding and retaining means 44 may be configured such that the level adjustment block 20 comprises projections and the dampening pad 7 comprises holes/depressions. In another example, the level adjustment block may be configured with a projection in each corner of the level adjustment block 20, the projections extending along the height of the block 20 and beyond the top contacting surfaces 32a, 32b such that the dampening pad 7 is guided by the projections.

The assemblage of the level adjustment block 20 to the bar 5 will now be described in greater detail with reference to figs. 1 a-1 c. The bar system 1 is assembled by first applying the dampening pad 7 to the level adjustment block 20. Hereby, the dampening pad 7 rests on and is supported by the two contact surfaces 32a, 32b of the level adjustment block 20. During this application the guiding and retaining means 44 may be used for guiding the dampening pad 7 in the correct position relative the level adjustment block 20 (as previously described). Such guiding and retaining means 44 may also be useful if pre-assembling of the bar system 1 is automated.

Thereafter, the level adjustment block 20 and the dampening pad 7 are pushed in between the shanks 50a, 50b of the bar 5 such that the dampening pad 7 is facing the bar 5. During the application of the bar 5, the shank 50a facing the resilient engagement means 22 applies a force to the bevelled edge of the protrusion 26 of the engagement portion 24, pressing the resilient engagement means 22 in a transverse direction into the space 42 of the level adjustment block 20. Hereby, the resilient engagement means 22 is pivoted about a geometrical axis G1 and a geometrical axis G2, each geometrical axis G1 , G2 extending from the top surface 32 to the bottom surface 30 of the level adjustment block 20. The geometrical axes G1 , G2 may e.g. be parallel to each other and/or parallel to the geometrical vertical axis V and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the bar 5. However, each of the geometrical axes G1 , G2 may also be individually inclined, such as e.g.

inclined with <45°, compared to the geometrical vertical axis V (while still being contained in a vertical plane).

During the assemblage of the level adjustment block 20 to the bar 5, the bar 5 and its shanks 50a, 50b will enclose the level adjustment block 20. However, when the resilient engagement means 22 moves towards/into the space 42, the resilient engagement means 22 may only be pushed to the rounded outer surface of the through hole 40, not further. Thus, the rounded outer surface of the through hole 40 will prevent the resilient engagement means 22 from being pushed such that the connecting portions 28a, 28b will break off from the first and the second surface portions 34a, 34b,

respectively. Of course, the resilient engagement means 22 does not have to be pushed all the way to the rounded outer surface of the through hole 40 in order for the protrusion 26 of the engagement portion 24 to be enclosed by the shanks 50a, 50b. For example, if the size of the protrusion 26 is small compared to the distance between the shank 50a and the rounded outer surface of the through hole 40, the engagement means 22 are not likely to be pushed all the way to the rounded outer surface of the through hole 40. As the level adjustment block 20 and the dampening means 7 are pushed further into the bar 5 along the geometrical vertical axis V, the protrusion 26 of the engagement portion 24 will face the through recess 56 of the shank 50a and the resilient engagement means 22 will spring back towards the shank 50a, such that the protrusion 26 will snap into and detachably engage with the corresponding through recess 56.

Thus, it should be understood, that according to the invention, the height h of the level adjustment block 20 may be equal to, or even smaller than, a vertical height H of the shanks 50a, 50b. That is, since the resilient engagement means 22 may be pivoted about a geometrical axis G1 and a geometrical axis G2, each axis extending from the bottom surface 30 to the top surface 32 of the level adjustment block 20, the level adjustment block 20 may be made thin, i.e. have a low height, since the spring-back function of the resilient engagement means 22 may be improved for a thin block compared to prior art. Hence, the consumption of material for producing a level adjustment block 20 according to the invention may be decreased.

When the bar system 1 is mounted at a desired place the level adjustment projection 10 is screwed into the level adjustment block 20 such that the end of the level adjustment projection 10 comprising the small through hole is projecting out from the bottoms surface 30 of the level adjustment block 20. By screwing the level adjustment projection 10 to a certain degree into the level adjustment block 20, the length of the level adjustment projection 10, and hence the adjustment means 2, may be adjusted. That is useful since it makes it possible to adjust the height between the support structure and the bar 5. In addition, if several level adjustment means 2 are engaged in one bar 5, the respective level adjustment blocks of the various level adjustment means may be positioned at different distances from the support structure to compensate for an uneven or rough support surface. In other words, it makes it easier to adjust the level of the bar 5 such that it is horizontal or in a desired inclination.

As previously mentioned the bar system 1 may comprise several bars 5. Owing to this, the bars 5 and the attached level adjustment means 2 may be placed on the support structure with desired spacing between the bars 5 such that the bars 5 are supported by the level adjustment projections 10. Depending on the size of the area that is to be covered with an external surface material of a floor or a wall, the bars 5 may be cut to desired lengths or two or more bars 5 may be placed such that their ends are located edge to edge.

Thereafter, the level adjustment projections 10 may be adjusted vertically, i.e. along the geometrical vertical axis, from outside the bar 5 through the internally threaded vertical through hole 54, using an Allen wrench or the like. In that way the level adjustment projections 10 may be precisely adjusted such that the bar 5 is horizontal or in a desired inclination regardless of potential roughness of the support structure. When the level adjustment projection 10 is adjusted such that the bar 5 is orientated as desired, the parts of the level adjustment projections 10 projecting out from the bar 5 are cut off. The level adjustment block 20 is attached to the support structure using the fastener (not shown) which is inserted through the level adjustment projection 10 and attached to the support structure through the small through hole in the lower end of the level adjustment projection 10. On top of the bar 5 the external surface material of the floor or wall is

subsequently applied.

Similarly to the embodiment in fig. 2, the level adjustment block 20 in figs. 1 a-1 c may comprise a second resilient engagement means, wherein the previously mentioned resilient engagement means 22 may be referred to as the first resilient engagement means 22. Thus, the bar 5 may have a complimentary through recess (not shown) in shank 50b located opposite the through recess 56 in shank 50a, the two recesses may be referred to as a pair of through recesses.

The bar system may be transported partially pre-assembled to a building site, that is, at each through recess 56 along the longitudinal direction L of the bar 5, a level adjustment block 20 is applied, but without the level adjustment projection 10 applied to the level adjustment block 20 (i.e. partially pre-assembled). Thus, the bar 5 and the level adjustment block(s) 20 may be packed more space-efficiently. Since the level adjustment block 20 may be at least partly enclosed by the bar 5, they may be packed still more space- efficiently. In addition, the resilient engagennent means 22 is protected against breakage by the shanks 50a, 50b of the bar 5.

At least one other example embodiment of the invention is illustrated in fig. 2 showing a level adjustment block 220 similar to the level adjustment block 20 in figs 1 a-1 c. For example, the level adjustment block 220 in fig. 2 is having a height h extending along a geometrical vertical axis V and the block 220 is extending along a longitudinal extension I. However, the level adjustment block 220 has a few differences compared to the level adjustment block 20, as discussed below.

The level adjustment block 220 comprises two resilient engagement means 222, 322, a first resilient engagement means 222 and a second resilient engagement means 322 arranged on opposite sides of the block 220. Each of the resilient engagement means 222, 322 comprises an engagement portion 224, 324 having a protrusion 226, 326. The function of the resilient engagement means 222, 322 are similar to the resilient engagement means 22 described with reference to fig. 1 a-1 c but with the structural differences that each of the resilient engagement means 222, 322 in fig. 2 is only connected to one respective surface portion 234a, 334a of the level adjustment block 220. As illustrated in fig. 2, each of the resilient engagement means 222, 322 further comprises a first connecting portion 228a, 328a connected to respective surface portion 234a, 334a along a part of the height h of the level adjustment block 220.

Thus, during assemblage of the level adjustment block 220 in fig. 2 to a U-shaped bar (as e.g. the bar 5 in fig. 1 a), the level adjustment block 220 may be pushed into the bar such that the protrusions 226, 326 of the level adjustment block 220 is pressed by the shanks of the bar. Hereby, each engagement means 222, 322 will pivot about a respective geometrical axis G1 1 , G22, and thus move towards a threaded vertical through hole 240.

When the protrusions 226, 326 are positioned at a corresponding pair of through recesses of the shank, the protrusions 226, 326 may spring back and snap into engagement with the pair of through recesses.

It should be noted that the resilient engagement means 222, 322 may also be arranged at other parts of the level adjustment block 220. As a further alternative, more than two resilient engagement means may be arranged on the level adjustment block 220. For example, resilient engagement means may be arranged at each corner of the level adjustment block 220.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various

modifications, alterations and adaptations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. For instance, the shanks 50a, 50b of the bar 5 may have recesses, intended for engagement with the engagement means 22, which are not through holes. The shanks 50a, 50b do not have to be perpendicular to corresponding top horizontal side 50c of the bar 5. Instead, they may have a suitable inclination. Further, the bars may be made of metal, such as e.g. galvanised steel, or otherwise treated or untreated steel. Alternatively, the bar 5 may comprise or be fully made of some other suitable material than metal.

Within the scope of the invention, the level adjustment block 20 may have one, two or several engagement means 22 arranged on any suitable side of the level adjustment block 20. Alternatively, the dampening means 7 may be attached to the level adjustment block 20 using an adhesive, and the level adjustment block 20 may be formed without guiding and retaining means 44 of the type described herein.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention

Some further exemplary embodiments of the invention are listed below. Each one of the below listed exemplary embodiments may, in addition to its features presented in the list, have the combination of features according to any one of the appended claims.

Embodiment 1 : A bar system for building constructions, comprising bars, level adjustment means, and dampening means, each of said bars comprising a recess positioned in a shank of said bars, said bars being adapted in use to at least partly enclose the level adjustment means, said level adjustment means comprising level adjustable projections, being adapted to project from the bars against a support structure, said level adjustment means being provided with a surface which extends in a longitudinal direction of the bars, as seen in the use of the system, and with engagement means adapted for engagement with said recess

wherein the shank, which comprises the recesses that is adapted to engage with the engagement means, is adapted to press said engagement means towards said level adjustment means during application of the bars to the level adjustment means, and said recess is adapted to allow the engagement means for moving resiliently back for engagement with said recess in an interconnected position, and in that the dampening means extends in a longitudinal direction of the bars, as seen in the use of the system, and said surface of the level adjustment means is adapted to support the dampening means.

Embodiment 2: A bar system according to embodiment 1 , wherein said recesses are adapted to receive said engagement means.

Embodiment 3: The bar system according to any one of embodiments 1 -2, wherein said recesses are through recesses. Embodiment 4: The bar system according to any one of embodiments

1 -3, wherein said engagement means are adapted for snap fastening attachment to the corresponding recesses.

Embodiment 5: The bar system according to any one of embodiments 1 -4, wherein said engagement means are provided with locking projections formed on arms, which locking projections are protruding outwards from a side of the level adjustment means that is facing the shank in use of the system. Embodiment 6: The bar system according to any one of embodiments

1 -5, wherein said locking projections comprises bevelled edges facing the bars during application of the bars, for facilitating said application. Embodiment 7: The bar system according to any one of embodiments 1 -6, wherein the level adjustment means are provided with a through hole, which through hole is internally threaded and which threads are matching external threads provided on the level adjustable projections.

Embodiment 8: The bar system according to any one of embodiments 1 -7, wherein a side of the shank opposite to the level adjustment means comprises projecting flanges extending in a longitudinal direction of the bars. Embodiment 9: The bar system according to any one of embodiments

1 -8, wherein the level adjustable projection may be screwed into or out from the level adjustment means through holes in the bars, from the top side of the bars facing away from the support structure. Embodiment 10: The bar system according to any one of embodiments

1 -9, wherein said dampening means are adapted to be positioned vertically between said bars and said level adjustment means as seen in the use of the system. Embodiment 1 1 : The bar system according to any one of embodiments

1 -10, wherein a side of the level adjustment means which in use is facing away from the support structure comprises an annular projection protruding from said side and having a circumference which matches a through hole of the dampening means.

Embodiment 12: The bar system according to any one of embodiments 1 -1 1 , wherein an extension of the dampening means transversally to the bars, as seen in the use of the system, is larger than an extension of the level adjustment means in the same direction, and wherein an end of the surface of the level adjustment means comprises guiding and retaining means for guiding and retaining the dampening means in a position that inhibits the bars from being in contact with the level adjustment means during use of said system. Embodiment 13: The bar system according to embodiment 12, wherein said guiding and retaining means comprise at least one protrusion, which protrudes substantially perpendicularly from the surface of the level adjustment means and is adapted to abut against a lateral side of the dampening means, which lateral side is in use of the system transversal to the bars.

Embodiment 14: The bar system according to embodiment 13, wherein said guiding and retaining means comprises two sets of protrusions, each of which comprises at least two separate protrusions, which protrusions and sets of protrusions are oppositely arranged in relation to each other, and which protrusions are arranged to abut on opposite parts of a lateral side of the dampening means.