TITLE OF THE INVENTION: Floor element

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to a floor element, and more particularly to a floor element, produced from int. al. concrete or similar material, and having a large superficial extent, such as in the order of 6.0 x 15 - 20 m, but also 10 to 15 m.

Floor elements, of the type under contemplation here, are utilised in order, as a single unit, to make for the creation of a (horizontal) floor surface, such as within a modular house construction.

More particularly, said floor element has been constructed and dimensioned so as to be adapted to be able to rest, on ends or on edges, against mutually spaced apart support beams, included in a frame construction for a house body and/or bodies, normally oriented in parallel and structured as metal beams, for instance of steel.

The present invention relates to creating a specific application as regards positioning of these floor elements between horizontally oriented support beams, with a selected span, for example 6.0 m, included in a steel skeleton construction, formed as a module, where each one of these modules may be coordinated and/or interconnected with other adjacent corresponding modules, in order, by such means, to be able to build up a larger house body or house construction, structured from a plurality of these modules.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a complete floor element, which consists prefabricated of an upper floor slab, with a construction or wear surface of

concrete and preferably with a subjacent layer of a sound and/or a heat insulating layer, for instance an insulation mat.

BACKGROUND ART Methods, arrangements and constructions of floor elements, relating to the above disclosed technical field and displaying a function and a nature which satisfy set requirements are previously known in the art in a plurality of different embodiments.

Thus, different designs and constructions are previously known in the art in order to make for the rational production of floor elements of the above-described nature.

In such instance, various element designs and constructions are known in the art in order that a formed floor surface be able to bear previously calculated point or concentrated loads and/or distributed loads and to allow for the dimensioning of each one of the floor elements in response to set requirements.

Different steel skeleton constructions are also previously known in the art, in the form of "modules" to which these individual floor elements are directly adapted.

As one example of the state of the art and the technical field to which the present invention relates, mention might be made of a modular-adapted application which is disclosed and described in greater detail in International Patent Application allotted the Serial Number PCT/EP99/05882, with publication number WO-A-00/09827.

This module-adapted design and construction consists of a steel skeleton module and will be illustrated and briefly described in greater detail hereinbelow, with direct reference to appended Figs. 1 to 3.

As regards floor elements of the associated type and for the technical fields under contemplation here, it is previously known in the art to form floor elements as a load bearing slab, formed of a concrete material and layer, where the load bearing or resisting capacity, as regards point or concentrated loads and/or distributed loads, for

the individual floor element can be reinforced with the aid of upper and lower metal reinforcing inlaid in the concrete slab.

An individual floor element will then obtain a weight and/or a load bearing rigidity not only depending upon the thickness of the concrete slab but also of the orientation of, the size of and the weight of inlaid metal reinforcing within a wet concrete slab.

Floor elements of the type and size under contemplation here require major working input in their manufacture and, as regards calculating the dimensioning of the thickness of and the length of the reinforcing metal, such as steel, rods and calculating the orientation of these reinforcing rods.

It is also previously known in the art that the inherent weight of such a floor element, formed from concrete with inlaid reinforcing rods and dimensioned for large spans of the order of about 6 m, require thicker concrete slabs and thereby additional reinforcing rods or thicker reinforcing rods, in order to be able to withstand or support expected loading forces and own weight along the floor surface.

Also forming a part of the state of the art are the contents of International Patent Application PCT/EPOl/14865, with publication number WO-A1-03/052212.

Taking into account the properties associated with the present invention, particular attention should be paid to the fact that the moment of mass inertia "J" of a beam, of a rectangular cross section and of a height ("h" dimension) considerably exceeding its width ("b" dimension), follows the equation Ji = (m x h ² )/12 for a centre line, while the moment of mass inertia may increase in accordance with the law of displacement J = (J _T + m a ² ). The present invention intends to utilise that increase of the moment of mass inertia offered by the disclosed law of displacement, for a surrounding metal frame with its metal frame parts secured thereto.

The present invention intends to utilise that increase of the moment of mass inertia which is offered via the so-called law or rule of displacement and applied to a

surrounding metal frame with its metal frame parts by causing the concrete slab to be fixedly related to the upper portion of the surrounding metal frame and the upper portion or total extent of the metal frame parts and to carry a sound or heat insulation mat.

It is also known to the art the contents of the following patent publications

EP-Al- 1 443 156

WO-Al-O 009 827 and

US-A-3 363 371.

Thus patent publication EP-Al-I 443 156 is disclosing in Figure 1 a structure designated as a whole (1) which is formed by two elongate, parallel extending carriers (2, 3) which are manufactured in the present case from profiled steel plate.

These carriers have a substantially C-shaped structure.

At their ends both elongate carries are connected to short pieces of a tubular profile (4).

Along the long sides of the structure the tube profiles (4) are mutually connected by profiles (5, 6), which in the present case are manufactured from the same profile material as said elongated carriers (2, 3).

Elongated carriers (2, 3) are mutually connected by main profiles (7).

Main profiles (7) have a "C"-shaped cross-section. They can however also be formed by using rectangular tube profiles.

Openings (8) are arranged in said main profiles (7).

These latter are connected to elongated carriers (2, 3) by means of bent parts and bolt connections, but can also be connected thereto by welded joins.

Auxiliary profiles (9) extend through these openings. These profiles are arranged loosely in the relevant openings.

They provide a considerable increase in the strength of the structure in question.

Figure 2 shows in more detail an opening (8) through which extends an auxiliary profile (9). It can be seen here from that the height of profile (9) is slightly smaller than the height of opening (8), so that auxiliary profiles (9) can be pushed easily into holes (8) at a later stage.

Figure 2 further shows that profile (9) is moreover limited in its movement through the upright or dependent edges (10) of the C-profile.

Figure 1 shows that lateral carriers (5, 6) are likewise provided with openings (8).

When such a structure is assembled on site it is necessary, on at least one of the lateral carriers (6, 5), for placing of the auxiliary profiles.

The International patent publication WO-A 1-00/09827 relates to a whole family of buildings, realised according to a metallic-structure modular construction method.

This method combines a ceiling frame (6), a floor frame (1), Z-shaped profiled members (2), welded in the floor frame and used as mounts, as well as a panel (3) and a multiple support (4), comprising welded steel mounts, which are in turn connected to the floor frame (1) and to the ceiling frame (6), by using a cross-bar (7) and pins (5).

The patent publication US-A-3 363 371 discloses a module, adapted to be used in the erection of walls by assembling together several of these modules in a side by side relationship in sufficient number to obtain a predetermined length of the wall.

The wall module is comprised by a pair of vertical structural members (11) and a pair of horizontal structural members (10), which are joined together by means of assembling tongues (13), which are arranged to pass through corresponding openings in the other member and which are thereafter folded over, by means of a manual or mechanical hammer of any other suitable tool, in order to provide a strong stiff joint there between.

The structural members (10 and 11) preferably are of channel section.

Said module comprises a frame formed by members (10 and 11) assembled by means of the assembling tongues or tabs (13) provided at the ends of members (10) which pass through the openings (14) in the end walls, provided adjacent the ends of members (11).

Also, members (11) are provided with additional openings or slits (22), which run through the side flanges or side walls of the members (11), these slits (22) serving to receive corresponding projections (23) of the side flanges of horizontal members (10), which ends are under cut to provide the assembling tabs (13) at the bottom of the above mentioned under cut.

The above type of joint will provide a completely rigid frame structure, which will be self supporting and which will be able to perform as a load member in the erection of the prefabricated house.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Taking into account the circumstance that the technical considerations which a person skilled within the art must do in order to be able to offer a solution to one or more set technical problems is, on the one hand, initially a necessary insight into the measures and/or the sequence of measures to be adopted and, on the other hand, a necessary selection of the means required, in view hereof the following technical

problems are likely to be relevant in the evolution of the subject matter of the present invention.

Taking into account the state of the art, as described above, it should probably therefore be seen as a technical problem to be able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order, in a rational manner, to be able to produce and create relatively "light" floor elements, with the dimensions, length, width and thickness, of a surrounding metal frame formed of steel with its metal frame parts, dimensioned and formed with a cross-section that will be able to offer predetermined mechanical strength properties.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause the natural or own weight of the floor element not unnecessarily to be over loaded with specifically inlaid reinforcing rods in the loose fresh concrete mass, within a surrounding metal frame and thereafter to cause vibration of the fresh concrete mass and supported by a sound and/or heat insulating mat.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to make for the positioning of a sound- and heat insulating layer, such as an insulating mat, within the metal framework and between its metal frame parts, in accordance with the present invention, and only to cause the filling of a space above the insulation mat against the upper edge regions of the frame parts with fresh concrete mass.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order, in a floor construction and/or a floor element, such as a floor element with a transversely oriented span of 6.0 m or thereabouts, preferably

somewhat shorter than 6.0 m, and of a length of for instance 10-15 m or thereover, to make for the creation of the preconditions in order to: a. be able to offer a low construction height for the surrounding metal frame, formed of steel, and its individual frame parts; b. be able to offer a low natural or own weight of the floor element but nevertheless be able to satisfy the requisite mechanical strength properties; c. be able to offer a floor element of relatively light weight, for a utilised steel in the metal frame and its individual frame parts and, under the utilisation of a plurality of (parallel), well-dimensioned thin metal profiles, adapted to be able to extend between opposing frame part sections and, as edge support, support the set concrete slab and its sections, and with recesses or holes, provided for each metal profiles, in order thereby to be able to distribute a fresh cast concrete mass between adjacent sections allocated a floor element separated by said metal profiles; d. be able to offer a floor element which, in its construction, is relatively rigid as a result of its metal frame, with associated frame parts, and its metal profiles and a selected and adapted distance between these metal profiles, and with a cast concrete slab fixedly connected to the frame parts; e. be able to offer superior technical qualities in terms of; f. being adapted to be able to damp the passage of sound and/or heat, to allow the propagation of damped footfall and thereover to offer a well-balanced, slightly yielding, floor feeling; g. being adapted to be able to create the preconditions for efficient fire protection; h. proposing a simple and economical construction of these floor elements and/or i. proposing a possibility of being able to create different forms of each selected design and construction of an individual floor element.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to permit a utilised thin metal frame, with its metal frame

parts, along its upper edges, to be able, via specifically formed means, to non- rotationally or non-flexurally cooperate with the concrete slab and thereby form an edge-oriented rigidification applicable to the floor element and extending beneath the concrete slab, in order there to form a space for a selected heat and/or sound- insulating mat.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to make for the creation of a floor element, with such outer dimensions that it may form a complete flat floor surface, and where the floor element is adapted to be able to rest against and, oriented edgewise, support against mutually spaced apart support beams, included in a frame construction.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order, in a single working operation, to cause a slab, formed of concrete material, to rest against a sound and/or heat-insulating layer, surrounded by a flexurally rigid (high moment of mass inertia) metal frame, with its coordinated metal frame parts, in order to form therefrom a relatively light floor element.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause a frame, formed of metal, with its coordinated metal frame parts to be adapted to surround a slab formed of set concrete mass and the sound and/or heat-insulating layer or mat and to realise the reinforcement and the increase of the moment of mass inertia of the floor element which said frame, formed of metal with its metal frame parts, offers.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to make for the adaptation and dimensioning of said frame formed of metal, with its elongate metal frame parts, in order to be able to absorb

vertically directed flexural stresses and supports, acting in or along the longitudinal direction of the frame and in particular opposing frame parts.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause said frame, such as, via selected metal frame parts or sections, to be adapted in order, with or without specific means or measures, to be fixedly united, for instance flexurally rigidly united, to the edge-related extent of the slab, formed of set concrete mass.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause the slab, formed of set concrete mass to be given a thickness of, or a height of, 0.1 m or thereabouts, in particular in dimensions allocated to the floor element of in any event 6.0 m or thereabouts, and be supported by reinforcing metal profiles distributed in a parallel orientation.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause said metal frame, with its respective metal frame parts or sections, and in particular the metal profiles fixedly coordinated with the metal frame parts or sections, to be given an irregular cross sectional profile.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to make for the creation of "corresponding" metal profiles which, with their strengthened capacity, via a concrete layer, may extend between adjacent narrow sections, allocated to the floor element.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause said support beam (support beams) formed of steel

and/or metal frames, with their metal frame parts, to be given an angled form in cross section, such as a "L" or "U"-profile in cross section.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause a transversely directed orientation, allocated to the floor element, to be selected to in any event a span of over 4.0 m, for example normally below 8.0 m and where 6.0 m is likely to be seen as a standard dimension.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to propose a longitudinal directed orientation, allocated to the floor element, which could then be selected to a span of over 20 m, preferably a standard dimension of about 10-15 m.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to be able to make such dimensioning of a complete floor element, via the thickness of the set concrete slab, the thickness of the insulating layer or mat, as well as the moment of mass inertia and mechanical strength of the metal frame formed of steel and its metal frame parts, in particular its flexural resistance "W", without, to that end of necessity needing, to insert reinforcement, in the form of iron or steel reinforcement rods, in the wet concrete slab and thereby considerably simplify the production of one or more floor elements, of a type under consideration here.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to make, for the introduction into said fresh and liquid containing concrete mass of a reinforcement agent, displaying short fibres mixed with the concrete mass, such as steel fibres, plastic fibres, carbon fibres or other similar mechanical strength-reinforcing material.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order, for a floor element of the type under contemplation here, to insert, as reinforcement for a specific purpose, one or more, but at most few, reinforcing rods or the like.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause a longitudinally directed orientation of the floor element, between supporting end portions, to be adapted to a horizontal distance which approximates the distance between fixed support beams, included in a frame construction in a modular steel skeleton construction, where this module is normally coordinable with a second module, such as for example one or more corresponding modules.

There resides a technical problem in being able to realise the importance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and considerations which will be required in order to cause said module to display a lower supporting frame construction for a loosely implaced floor element, an upper frame construction supporting or fixedly retaining a roof element, and a number of support members or support columns extending between the frame constructions.

SOLUTION In such instance, the present invention takes as its point of departure or origin the prior art as disclosed by way of introduction as regards the manufacture of and efficient production of a floor element, which can form a complete free-bearing horizontal floor surface, and more specifically the diverging end regions and/or metal frame parts of said floor element are to be adapted to be able to rest against mutually spaced apart support beams, included in a modular frame construction.

More specifically, the invention is based on the feature that a frame formed of metal is, with its associated metal frame parts or sections, to be adapted to surround a slab formed from cured or set fresh concrete mass and ideally surrounding and supported by a sound and/or heat insulating layer or mat, and that said metal frame, and its metal frame parts, are to be formed to be thin and tall, in order fixedly to be able to cooperate with associated metal profiles.

As proposed embodiments, falling within the scope of the basic concept of the present invention, it is moreover disclosed that said metal frame, with its metal frame parts, is to be adapted to be fixedly united with the slab, formed of solid concrete, by the intermediary of discrete fixing means.

It is further disclosed that said slab, formed of solidified concrete, is to be given a thickness of 0.1 m or thereabouts, preferably in a floor element of dimensions of 6.0 x 15.0 m and normally dimensioned for floor surfaces with normal loading.

It also falls within the scope of the present invention that said metal frame, one or more of its metal frame parts and/or metal profiles, is to be given an irregular, such as corrugated, cross sectional profile.

The present invention further discloses that said support beams and/or metal frame parts, associated with the construction, should be given a "L" or "U" profile in cross section, or a stylised as an alternative "L" or U" profile.

In particular, the present invention offers the production of a floor element where a transversely directed orientation or width can be selected in any event to be over 4.0 m, for instance under 8.0 m, preferably a standardised length of 6.0 m, and that the floor element, in a longitudinally directed orientation, may be selected to be in any event over 15 m, preferably a standardised length of 10 to 20 m.

Naturally, it also falls within the scope of the present invention that the floor element, with its slab formed of solid concrete, is to permit the concrete slab to be

wholly lacking any inserted separate reinforcement apart from inlaid and sectionally dividing metal profiles, or alternatively to cause said slab formed of the set concrete mass to be given an inner mixed reinforcing, such as a steel fibre reinforcing or other corresponding filler material.

Naturally, it also falls within the scope of the present invention that, in particular in severe loading cases, to cause, as reinforcement, the formation of one or more metal reinforcement rods or similar load absorbing or supporting elements, apart from said metal frame and metal profiles fixedly secured thereto.

Floor elements, in accordance with the present invention, may thus offer a transversely directed and/or longitudinally directed orientation, between their divergent end regions, which is directly adapted to a horizontally free distance between divergent and opposing support beams, included in a frame construction for a module-adapted steel skeleton construction, where a module may advantageously be coordinable with one or more other modules, for instance identical modules.

Further, it is disclosed that one such module be able to display a lower supporting frame construction for a loosely implaced floor element, an upper supporting frame construction for a roof and a number of support members or support columns extending between the frame constructions.

ADVANTAGES

Those advantages which may principally be deemed to be characteristic of the present invention and the specific significative characterising features disclosed thereby are that there have hereby been created the preconditions in order, in a rational manner, to be able to produce one or more floor elements, where each one of these floor elements will be able to form a complete planar and horizontal floor surface, dimensioned for a certain loading.

The floor element is to be structured as a frame, formed by using a thin metal (steel) material, and where metal frame parts, provided for this frame, are adapted to

surround a slab, formed by solidified or set concrete mass, ideally together with a, sound and/or heat, insulating layer or mat.

Said metal frame, and/or its metal frame parts, is formed to be thin and vertically elongated (height), but nevertheless adapted and dimensioned to be able to absorb flexural stresses and display a high moment of mass inertia, acting in the longitudinal direction of the frame and for vertically directed forces.

There have thus hereby been created the preconditions for a floor element, in accordance with the present invention, that it shall be able to absorb force stresses against the concrete slab and the frame formed of metal and its metal frame parts and simultaneously, or in a subsequent process, to make for the application of a sound and/or heat insulating layer or mat, to the lower portion of the floor element.

The floor element also displays a number of metal profiles, serving as a reinforcement of the slab, and which metal profiles are fixedly connected to opposing metal frame parts and where interjacent sections are formed via a fresh liquefied concrete mass, passing through structured recesses in the metal profiles.

The frame, with its metal frame parts and/or metal profiles, forms, via a pressure and/or an anchorage means, a flexurally rigid or flexurally fast cooperation with allocated metal frame parts and metal profiles.

That which may principally be deemed to be characteristic of a floor element, in accordance with the present invention, is disclosed in the characterising clause of appended Claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The prior art technology and a number of currently proposed embodiments, displaying the significative characterising features associated with the present invention, relating to a floor element, will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow for

purposes of exemplification and with reference to the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic and perspective presentation of a house complex, built from a number of "standardised" modules and module units, where each one of these modules is to display a lower frame construction, for a loosely implaced floor element supporting against parallel support beams, an upper supporting frame construction for a roof and a number of support members or support columns extending between the frame constructions;

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a corner portion of one such module, schematically illustrated in Fig. 1, with upper and lower frame constructions, with one (of four) allocated support beams;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art steel skeleton construction, illustrated in Fig. 1, in the International Patent Publication WO-Al-00/09827, disclosed by way of introduction;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one end portion of a floor element, constructed according to the principles of the present invention, and with a simple frame, formed of metal, with associated metal frame parts, and a concrete liquified slab mass cast within the metal frame parts against a sound and/or heat insulating mat and, in a slightly magnified view, one example of selected thicknesses of a cast concrete slab and a utilised said concrete slab supporting insulating mat;

Fig. 5 illustrates a loosely implaced floor element, supporting against a frame construction with its support beams, and where this floor element displays a number of metal profiles oriented in parallel, in order to divide the floor element into successive sections;

Fig. 6 is a section taken through Fig. 5 in order to illustrate the floor element, constructed according to the present invention, so as to form a horizontal floor surface;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a transverse profile of a metal frame part, forming one side of a metal frame connecting to or related to the floor element;

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a metal frame, with only three of its metal frame parts, and a number of metal profiles (four) oriented in parallel and shown a distance over the metal frame parts; and

Fig. 9 illustrates a number "A" to "D" of different metal profiles and selected cross sections and where a fire safety concrete portion may be oriented in order to define adjacent sections in the concrete slab and define the insulation mat, in association with a subjacent wall portion (not shown).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART ACCORDING TO FIGS. 1 to 3

With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the basic preconditions relating to the present invention will be illustrated in greater detail and further details of this construction is to be found in the International Patent Application, allotted the Publication number WO 00/09827.

Thus, Figs. 1-3 illustrate schematically and in detail a house construction, 1 built up from a number of alike or unlike modules 3 and where a floor element 4, disclosed according to the present invention, is more closely described with reference to Figs. 4 to 9, to form a horizontal floor surface (and a ceiling surface) within each module.

Thus, Fig. 1 illustrates a house body or house construction 1, with a number of laterally oriented and with a number of mutually superposed modules 3, 3', each one formed as a steel skeleton construction.

It is here assumed that all modules 3 in the house construction 1 are identically alike, for which reason the following description will only encompass the module 3 and the support structure, illustrated with reference numeral 2 (but also a subjacent adjacent module 2').

The principle structure of the module and support structure 2, 2' is schematically illustrated in Fig. 2 and where said module displays a lower frame construction 2', intended for supporting a floor element (4), an upper frame construction 2 supporting a roof or ceiling and carrying a floor element 4 and a number of support members or structures 14, in the form of first vertical support beams or support columns extending between the support constructions 2 and 2' and where one has been given reference numeral 14a.

Figure 2 also discloses a number of second horizontal support beams 14b, (14b').

With reference to Fig. 3, this shows, in an exploded view, a coordination between a lower support construction 2', intended for supporting a not illustrated floor element, and supporting an upper or adjacent support structure 2.

A lower frame or support structure 2' is thus supporting a roof, for a subjacent upper support structure 2, and where the frame structures 2, 2' are interconnected by pins 10, 10a.

For a more detailed description of the technique and construction, illustrated in Fig. 3, reference is made to the above-disclosed International Patent Publication WO-Al-00/09827, in particular to page 4 and following pages.

The contents of said patent publication may be considered as the most relevant or proximal prior art technology and the present invention is to be considered as a direct development form the idea presented in that publication.

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENTLY PROPOSED EMBODIMENT

By way of introduction, it should be emphasised that, in the following description of one currently proposed embodiment displaying the significative characterising features associated with the present invention and clarified by means of Figs. 4 to 9 in the accompanying Drawings, we have selected terms and a specific terminology with the intention in such instance principally of clarifying the inventive concept.

However, in this context it should be taken into account that expressions selected here should not be seen as restrictive exclusively to the terms selected and utilised here, but that it should be understood that every such selected term is to be interpreted so that in addition it encompasses all technical equivalents which function in the same or substantially the same manner in order, in such instance to be able to attain the same or substantially the same intention and/or technical effect.

The present invention, which has as its specific direction the construction of a single self-supporting floor and/or ceiling element 4, partly illustrated in perspective presentation in Fig. 4, where such an element 4, ideally with a plurality of identical first and second etc. floor sections 4b, 4c etc., are to be able to be coordinated and united with one another, in order thereby to form a superjacent horizontal and planar floor surface 4a, 4a'.

The interface between the illustrated sections 4b and 4c is formed by a metal profile 8' reinforcing the element 4, partly or completely cast in the formed set concrete slab 6.

The floor element 4 and its sections 4b, 4c is adapted, with its divergent end regions 4d, 4e; 4f, 4g to be able to rest against a support structure 14 and mutually spaced apart support beams 14b, (14b').

The floor element 4, in accordance with the present invention, is based on the utilisation of an outer frame structure 5 formed of, first to fourth, metal or steel frame

parts, illustrated here as beams 5a, 5b, 5c, as well as an obscured metal frame part (5d) in Figure 4, however illustrated in Figure 5 as a fourth metal frame part 5d.

The metal frame parts 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are adapted so as tightly and under pressure to surround a slab 6', formed of set concrete material 6 and are to constitute a casting frame, when a viscous fresh concrete mass 6' is placed within the metal frame parts and fills up section 4b, 4c etc., ideally during a vibration sequence.

The frame parts 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are given a "L" configuration in Figure and a "U" configuration in figure 7 in cross section and are flexurally rigidly united with one another in the corners and further rigidified with the aid of a number of mutually parallel metal profiles, where only three has been given reference numeral 8, 8' and 8".

These metal profiles 8, 8' and 8", and further metal profiles are displaying through- going flaps and/or holes or other similar recesses 8d, so that the sections 4b, 4c and other sections within said frame structure can be filled with fresh concrete mass 6' at the same time, (see also the embodiments which are shown and described with reference to Fig. 9 and illustrations "A" to "D".)

The metal profiles 8, 8', 8" have an upper region 8a and an intermediate region 8b with an angled section 8e within the set concrete slab 6 and a lower region 8c which can indirectly serve as fixing means for an insulation mat 7 and/or to form a downwardly directed concrete reinforcement 6a.

Here, it should be observed in Fig. 4 that the total height "h" of the frame parts 5 a, 5b, 5c and 5d may be adapted to exceed the height or the thickness "hi" of the concrete slab 6, in order thereby to be able to form a flexurally stable rigid frame structure 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, with a high moment of mass inertia, especially in the disclosed direction "P".

Fig. 4 further illustrates that said steel frame 5, with its metal frame parts, 5a to 5d, is also dimensioned with a height in order to be able to surround a sound and/or heat insulation layer, mat or slab 7, which is then intended principally to be able to cause a support of the wet concrete slab 6', during its production and casting process.

The embodiment illustrated here suggests that the mat 7 is of a thickness "h2" and adapted for sound and heat insulating and is moreover of a fire resistant material.

Naturally, it falls within the scope of the present invention to make for dimensioning of the vertical total dimension or height "h" to be greater than the dimensions ("hi" + "h2"), so that lower edges 5a', 5b' and 5c' of the metal frame parts will be exposed. It likewise falls within the scope of the present invention to dimension the vertical height "h" to be less than the dimensions ("hi" + "h2").

According to the basic preconditions of the present invention, there is a possibility of being able to select the height/thickness dimensions of the frame parts 5a, 5c, 5b and 5d, respectively, and their configuration so as to connect to a selected and desired moment of mass inertia "J". Hereby, the metal frame parts can be selected with mutually alike or unlike moments of mass inertia "J", when these may be expected to rest against a first support beams 14b and an opposed oriented second support beam 14b'.

Further, the present invention discloses that said metal frame 5 and the individual metal frame parts 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are to be formed to be thin and adapted and dimensioned so as to be able to absorb or support vertical flexural stresses "P", acting in the longitudinal direction of the frame parts 5a to 5d and particularly, as regards to the frame parts 5a, 5c, these could be dimensioned for a higher moment of mass inertia within their central portions than within their end portions or divergent end regions.

The possibility therefore falls, within the scope of the present invention, of dimensioning the frame parts 5 a and 5 c, as regards the height/thickness dimensions,

otherwise than the frame parts 5b and 5d, or alternatively the frame parts 5a and 5c may be dimensioned and configurated differently as illustrated in figure 5.

In accordance with the present invention, it is disclosed that said steel frame 5 and its "L"-shaped, in Figure 4 or "U"-shaped metal frame parts in Figure 7 are to be adapted so as to be fixedly united with the wet slab 6', formed as of a solid and set concrete mass 6, so that the concrete slab 6 can cooperate with the frame parts with the aid of a pressure and/or via fixing means, such as discrete fixing means, illustrated in Figure 7.

This may then be put into effect either by imparting to the frame parts 5a and 5c an irregular configuration, such as angled, or alternatively adding to the frame parts 5a and 5c specific discrete anchorage means 5f, 5f ' and 5f ', as illustrated in said Figure 7.

The practical application of the present invention discloses that the slab 6, formed of a set concrete mass, is to be given a thickness "hi" of 0.1 m or thereabouts when the floor element 4 has been given a.surface 4a, a' extent of dimensions 6.0 x 15.0 m and with a calculated normal loading.

With reference to Fig. 5, a "L"-shaped and/or a "U"-shaped steel frame 5 is illustrated there, with parallel elongate metal frame parts 5a and 5c and parallel short metal frame parts 5b and 5d, and where a floor or ceiling element 4, with its first and second floor sections 4b, 4c and the remaining sections, is implaced in order to form a horizontal floor surface 4a and a planar horizontal ceiling lower surface 4a' and where each floor element 4 and its floor sections rest against support beams 14b, 14b', respectively, with a free span (the length given by the orientation of the metal frame parts 5a, 5b) between them.

With closer reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, it is there shown that said metal frame 5, with its metal frame parts 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, may be given an irregular transverse profile.

The magnified partial section in Fig. 6 then illustrates a cross section along or parallel to the frame part 5c which three metal profiles 8, 8' and 8" supported thereby creates, within the concrete slab 6, for a rotationally rigid reinforcement of the concrete slab 6.

The support beams 14b, 14b' supporting the frame constructure 5, may, in accordance with Figs. 2, 3 and 5, be given a "L", or "U" profile in cross section.

The constructions of the floor element 4, in accordance with the present invention, offers a transversely directed orientation of each floor section 4b, 4c etc. selected to be in any event over 4.0, for instance under 8.0 m, preferably 6.0 m or slightly less.

In this respect, the present invention may particularly disclose a floor element 4 with standardised dimensions.

A longitudinally directed orientation of the floor element 4 may be selected to be 10-15 m, but even longer, for instance 20 m.

The mixed concrete slab 6' may, as a basic construction, be totally lacking any reinforcement and/or reinforcing means, in the fresh concrete mass 6', apart from the used metal profiles 8, 8' and 8", and the mutual distance between them in order to form said floor sections 4b, 4c etc..

Alternatively, there may be introduced into the mixed concrete mass 6', intended to form the floor slab 6, a reinforcement, in the form of steel fibres or the like and in exceptional cases one or more metal reinforcement rods or the like.

Fig. 7 shows in a perspective presentation, a "U"-shaped metal frame part, such as one or more of the frame parts 5a to 5d, of a specific metal frame part 5e, corresponding in use to frame part 5c or 5a, connecting to one side of the floor element 4 with three or more projections and recesses, illustrated here with reference

numerals 5f, 5f and 5f , where these projections are adapted to be cast into the wet concrete slab 6' and there over create the preconditions for simply distributing the liquid fresh concrete mass 6' between the sections 4b, 4c etc.

Fig. 8 shows in an exploded view a metal frame 5, illustrated with three of its metal frame parts 5a, 5b and 5c, and a number of parallel (four) metal profiles designated the reference numerals 8, 8' and 8" oriented over the frame 5 and without concrete mass 6'.

Fig. 9 shows a number, distributed as to "A", "B", "C" and "D", of different metal profiles 8, and where a fire resistive or safety or mechanical strength-increasing concrete reinforcement portion is oriented so as to define adjacent floor sections 4b, 4c etc. in the concrete slab 6 and define the insulation mat 7, in association with a subjacent wall portion (not shown).

Different cross sectional configurations for the steel metal profiles 8 are illustrated here.

Thus illustration "A" discloses an embodiment where the upper region 8a is sloping and is in right angle connected to an intermediate region 8b and an 45° bent lover region 8 c, where the hole or recesses 8d are in the form of flaps.

Illustration "B" illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown with illustration "A", however here said recesses 8d exposing simply holes.

Illustration "C" indicates the use of a rod or bar 8f, extending parallel to the angle section 8e.

Illustration "D" indicates the use of a "Z"-formed cross section of the metal profile, exposing an upper, the planar floor surface 4a, adjacent planar region 8g and a lower planar region 8c'.

A profile 8 (not shown) formed to a "X" or any other cross sectional form, as illustrated may advantageously be put into use so as to create a joint connection between adjacent sections 4b and 4c.

The present invention is naturally not restricted to the embodiment disclosed above by way of example, but may undergo modifications without departing from the scope of the inventive concept as illustrated in the appended Claims.

In particular, it should be observed that every illustrated unit and/or circuit may be combined with every other illustrated unit and/or circuit within the scope in order to be able to attain the desired technical function.

In the description hereinbefore the following reference numerals have been used for explaining purposes; L A complete house construction, formed form a number of modules.

2. Support structure.

2'. Adjacent support structure.

3. Module.

4. Floor and/or ceiling element. 4a. Planar floor upper surface.

4a' Planar ceiling lower surface. 4b First floor (or ceiling) forming section. 4c Second floor (or ceiling) forming section. 4d First end region related to said first floor section. 4e Second end region related to said first floor section.

4f First end region related to said second floor section. 4g Second end region related to said second floor section.

5. Outer frame structure, adapted to form a metal frame around a floor and/or ceiling element. 5a. A first metal frame part.

5b. A second metal frame part. 5c. A third metal frame part.

5d. A fourth metal frame part.

6. A hardened concrete slab.

6' A wet concrete structure mass in the form of a high viscosity exposing freshly mixed concrete mass. 6a. A downwardly directed concrete slab section, causing a reinforcement function to floor and/or ceiling element.

7. A sound and/or heat insulating mat, exposing fire resistant properties and is adapted to cooperate with slab sections.

8. Metal, floor and/or ceiling element reinforcing first profile, arranged to be secured to parallel metal frame parts.

8' A first adjacently oriented second metal profile.

8" A second adjacently oriented third metal profile.

8a An upper, floor adjacent, first region.

8b An intermediate region. 8c A lower, ceiling adjacent, second region .

8c' Lower planar region.

8d A recesses, as flaps and/or holes, for distributing a freshly mixed concrete mass.

8e An angled section. 8f Rod or bar.

8g Planar region.

10 Interconnecting means, illustrated as pins.

10a Interconnecting means, illustrated as pins.

14 Support structure. 14a First vertical support beam arrangement.

14b Second horizontal support beam arrangement.