[Background Art] Korean hypocaust, namely, ondol, has been scientifically proven to be superior to sitting in chairs, western-style, which tends to cause a variety of diseases. In Korea having well- defined four seasons, hypocaust floors, built in traditional Korean houses, are effective at keeping houses warm in the winter, and conversely, cool in the summer since the hypocaust floors exhibit excellent heat retention. Traditionally, the hypocaust floors were heated using firewood, etc, and nowadays, hypocaust flooring becomes more and more popular, and developments and studies related thereto are actively in progress.

Considering construction of a boiler of the type buried in the floor for realzing the above described hypocaust floor, generally, a hot-water pipe is first arranged in the floor in a zigzag pattern, and nails are fixed around the hot-water pipe.

Then, in order to fix the hot-water pipe position in the floor, the hot-water pipe is securely fastened to the nails by means of wires, etc. Finally, concrete is poured to bury the hot-water pipe in the floor.

However, the above described boiler construction method is

troublesome since concrete must be poured twice, once for initial floor construction and once to bury the hot-water piping in the floor, and excessive time is required due to the lengthy concrete curing time. Further, exchange and repair of the hot- water pipe is very difficult and expensive since the buried hot- water pipe must be removed by breaking the concrete floor, and the broken concrete pieces produce a great deal of environmental waste.

For these reasons, prefabricated assembly-type piping panels, for use in the construction of hypocaust floors, have been disclosed in patent applications and commercialized.

However, since the existing assembly-type hypocaust piping panels exhibit poor thermal durability, fastening means, used to fasten the piping panels to upper cover panels, are easily loosened, resulting in unintentional separation therebetween.

[Disclosure] [Technical Problem] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems in the prior art, and it is an object of the invention to provide an easily assembled indoor floor heating system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an indoor floor heating system for allowing a hot-water pipe to be arranged in various patterns depending on the size and shape of construction sites.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an indoor floor heating system having a high structural heat resistance.

[Technical Solution]

In order to accomplish the above objects, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an indoor floor heating system having a hot-water pipe defining a flow passage of hot water in the floor of a building, including: a plurality of upper cover panels disposed above the hot-water pipe, and each having a plurality of coupling holes; a plurality of base supporting panels located at the floor so as to correspond to the upper cover panels by interposing the hot-water pipe therebetween, the base supporting panels being assembled with one another to provide a place where the hot-water pipe is arranged; a plurality of support posts protruding upwardly from an upper surface of the respective base supporting panels so that they are vertically and horizontally spaced apart from one another by constant predetermined distances for allowing the hot-water pipe to be arranged in various pattenrs on the base supporting panels, each of the support posts having supporting wings oppositely provided at an upper end thereof for supporting the hot-water pipe, and vertical through-bore centrally defined threin so as to be used for the assembly of the base supporting panels and the upper cover panels; and a plurality of rivets each penetrating through the aligned through-bore of the support post and the coupling hole of the upper cover panel for riveting, thereby coupling the base supporting panel and the upper cover panel while interposing the hot-water pipe therebetween.

Preferably, the support post may further have annualr detents defined above and beneath the through-bore for supporting the rivet upon riveting.

Preferably, the system may further comprise hollow reinforcing members installed between the base supporting panels.

Preferably, the system may further comprise a far-infrared rays emitting material, such as jade, bio stone, which is filled in a space around the support posts of the respective base

supporting panels.

Preferably, the rivet may be made of any one material selected from among rimmed steel, stainless steel, copper, and duralumin.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an indoor floor heating system having a hot-water pipe defining a flow passage of hot water in the floor, including: a plurality of upper cover panels disposed above the hot-water pipe; a plurality of base supporting panels assembled with one another at the floor so as to be located beneath the upper cover panels by interposing the hot-water pipe therebetween, each of the base supporting panels having a plurality of fitting openings providing a place for use in the arrangement of the hot-water pipe; and a plurality of hot-water pipe support units separably coupled in the fitting openings of the base supporting panels, respectively, each of the hot-water pipe support units having a hot-water pipe receiving recess into which the hot-water pipe is fitted so as to be arranged on the base supporting panel.

Preferably, the hot-water pipe support unit may have holding hooks, and correspondingly, the fitting opening may have holding protrusions configured to engage with the holding hooks.

Prefeably, the hot-water pipe support unit may further have lateral portions at opposite sides of the hot-water pipe receiving recess, both the lateral portions having a hollow structure for providing the hot-water pipe support unit with flexibility.

Preferably, the hot-water pipe receiving recess may have inwardly tapered entrance edges, and a center circular cross- section portion defined between the entrances edges thereof.

[Advantageous Effects]

As described above, according to a hypocasut heating system of the present invention, from resoective base supporting panels, assembled with one another at the floor, protrude upwardly a plurality of hot-water pipe support posts for allowing a hot- water pipe to be arranged in various patterns, thereby enabling easy construction of the hot-water pipe as well as appropriate arrangement thereof, resulting in maximized heating efficiency.

Further, by increasing durability of coupling means used to couple upper cover panels, located above the hot-water pipe, to the base supporting panels assembled on the building floor, structural stability of the indoor floor heating system can be remarkably increased.

Furthermore, the indoor floor heating system achieves a reduction in weight, and applies only a small amount of load to the floor, resulting in an improvement in structural stability of the floor.

[Description of the Drawings] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more. fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an indoor floor heating system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a base supporting panel and support posts of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an assembled state of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6 is a diagramtic view illustrating various arrangement patterns of a hot-water pipe of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor floor heating system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a hot-water pipe support unit of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the coupling structure of the hot-water pipe support unit and a base supporting panel of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a constructed state of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Best Mode] The preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an indoor floor heating system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a base supporting panel and support posts of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross

sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an assembled state of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagramtic view illustrating various arrangement patterns of a hot-water pipe of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGs. 1 to 6, the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of upper cover panels 16 ; a plurality of base supporting panels 12, which are assemblable with one another at the floor so as to be located beneath the upper cover panels 16; and a plurality of support posts 18 protruding upwardly from an upper surface of the respective base supporting panels 12 by a predetermined height. In Fig. 1, for the sake of clearness, only one of the upper cover panels and only one of the base supporting panels are shown.

The upper cover panels 16 are located above a hot-water pipe 14 defining a flow passage of hot-water in the floor, and are adapted to uniformly emit heat, transmitted from the hot- water pipe 14, for keeping a room warm by making use of the emitted heat. Each of the upper cover panels 16 has a plurality of coupling holes 16a.

The base supporting panels 12 are assembled with one another at the floor so that they define a horizontal flat panel assembly mounted at the floor, thereby providing a place where the hot-water pipe 14 is installed.

Explaining such base supporting panels 12 in more detail, they are structures each having a predetermined width and thickness. The base supporting panels 12 are provided in

predetermined numbers and are assembled with one another at the floor to have an area required for the installation of the hot- water pipe 14. Each of the base supporting panels 12 has boundary grooves 20, which sectionalize the panel 12 into a plurality of square sections. The grooves 20 serve as guide paths for use in the arrangement of the hot-water pipe 14, and enable the base supporting panel 12 to support the hot-water pipe 14 disposed thereon with a good flexibility. This facilitates installation of the hot-water pipe 14. In addition, at the base supporting panel 12 are formed a plurality of rectangular openings 22. The openings 22 serve to reduce the amount of a material required to form the base supporting panel 12, and hence reduce manufacturing cost thereof.

The plurality of support posts 18, integrally protruding upwardly from the flat upper surface of the base supporting panel 12, are vertically and horizontally spaced apart from one another by constant predetermined distances, thereby defining a space serving as a piping path for the arrangement of the hot- water pipe 14.

If the space is irregular or uneven, it makes impossible to install the hot-water pipe 14 therein. Therefore, it is important that the support posts 18 are vertically and horizontally spaced apart from one another on the base supporting panel 12 by the constant predetermined distances.

Each of the support posts 18 has a pair of supporting wings 23 oppositely formed at an upper end thereof. Both the supporting wings 23 are aligned to extend in an X-axis or Y-axis direction. Such supporting wings 23 serve to hold the hot-water pipe 14 arranged in various patterns between the support posts 18, thereby preveting the hot-water pipe 14 from being separated from the base supporting panel 12.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, instead of extending

only in the X-axis or Y-axis direction, one pair or two pairs of supporting wings may extend in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions to cross each other. As a result, the hot-water pipe 14 is arrangeable in more increased various patterns on the base supporting panel 12.

Preferably, tip ends of the supporting wings 23 are inclined downwardly to face the base supporting panel 12. Such a donwnwardly inclined configuration of the suppprting wings 23 are effective to prevent separation of the hot-water pipe 14 arranged on the base supporting panel 12. If the tip ends of the supporting wings 23 are inclined upwardly, the hot-water pipe 14 is easily movable upwardly along the upwardly inclined supporting wings 23. Thus, it is preferable that the tip ends of the supporting wings 23 are inclined downwardly.

With the base supporting panel 12 and the support posts 18 configured as stated above, the hot-water pipe 14 is arrangable in various patterns. FIG. 6 shows various arrangement examples of the hot-water pipe 14. For example, the hot-water pipe 14 may be arranged in a circular pattern, a zigzag pattern in a horizontal or vertical direction, or a combination pattern thereof.

The indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention as stated above is constructued by arranging the hot-water pipe 14 on the base supporting panels 12 in various patterns, and covering them with the upper cover panels 16. In this case, the coupling of the upper cover panel 16 to the base supporting panel 12 is achieved through riveting. Existing coupling means tend to be easily loosened and released due to repetitive thermal constrictions and expansions of the hot-water pipe 14, thereby causing unintentional separation of the upper cover panel 16 from the base supporting panel 12.

For this reason, in the indoor floor heating system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, each of the support posts 18, having a vertically extending center through-bore 24, is formed with an annular detent portion 25 at a lower end of the through-bore 24 for enabling firm riveting.

In this way, the support posts 18 are effective to maintain firm coupling between the upper cover panels 16 and the base supporting panels 12.

The use of rivets 19, employed in the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, is well known. Each of the rivets 19 has a rod portion 28 having a pointed tip end 28a, a coupling portion 27 connected to a lower end of the rod portion 28 and having a diameter larger than that of the rod portion 28, and a flange 27a formed between the rod portion 28 and the coupling portion 27.

The rivet 19 is adapted to couple the upper cover panel 16 to the base supporting panel 12 as it is inserted into the through-bore 24 defined in the support post 18. That is, in a state wherein the through-bore 24 of the support post 18 is aligned with the coupling hole 16a of the upper cover panel 16, the rivet 19 is successively inserted through the coupling hole 16a and the through-bore 24 so that the coupling portion 27 of the rivet 19 is located inside the through-bore 24.

The coupling portion 27 of the rivet 19 is continuously inserted into the through-bore 24 until the flange 27a of the rivet 19 is seated in a first space 26a defined in the support post 18 above the through-bore 24. In this case, the coupling portion 27 of the rivet 19 is located in a second space 26b defined in the support post 18 beneath the through-bore 24.

Afer completing insertion, as a pressure is applied to the rivet 19, the coupling portion 27 of the rivet 19, located in

the second space 26b beneath the through-bore 24, is compressed and confined in the second space 26b, and the flange 27a of the rivet 19, located in the first space 26a above the through-bore 24, is also compressed and confined in the first space 26a. In this way, the firm coupling of the upper cover panel 16 to the base supporting panel 12 is achieved.

The rivet 19 is preferably made of any one material selected from among rimmed steel, stainless steel, copper and duralumin. The above enumerated materials restrict constrictions and expansions of the rivet 19 caused by heat transmitted from the hot-water pipe 14, thereby being capable of stably keeping the coupling force of the rivet 19 for a long time.

The total number of the base supporting panels 12 to be assembled is adjustable, so as to achieve a desired installation area, by making use of reinforcing members 29. The reinforcing members 29 are respectively located between the assembled base supporting panels 12, and preferably between the support posts 18 adjacent to each other. The respective reinforcing members 29 have a hollow structure. Through the use of the reinforcing members 29, the base supporting panels 12 are firmly assemblable to achieve the desired installation area.

In the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, before installing the upper cover panel 16, a far-infrared rays emitting material is filled in a space 31 between the support posts 18, which is remained after installation of the hot-water pipe 14. The far- infrared rays emitting material is a mineral, such as jade, bio stone, yellow soil, or germanium, and the like, beneficial to the health.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor floor heating system in accordance with a second embodiment of the

present invention. FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a hot-water pipe support unit of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the coupling structure of the hot-water pipe support unit and a base supporting panel of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a constructed state of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGs. 7 to 10, the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention comprises: a hot-water pipe 118 defining a flow passage of hot water in the floor; a plurality of upper cover panels 130 installed above the hot-water pipe 118 ; a plurality of base supporting panels 112 assembled at the floor so as to be located beneath the upper cover panels 130; and a plurality of hot-water pipe support units 114 for allowing the hot-water pipe 118 to be arranged in various patterns. In Fig. 7, for the sake of clearness, only one of upper cover panels and only one of the base supporting panels are shown.

The base supporting panels 112 respectively takes the form of a square or rectangle having a predetermined area. The plurality of base supporting panels 112 are assembled with one another at the floor, providing a place where the hot-water pipe 118 is arranged. Such an assembled structure of the base supporting panels 112 enables easy construction in corner regions of the floor.

Each of the base supporting panels 112 has a plurality of fitting openings 116, which are vertically and horizontally spaced apart from one another by constant predetermined distances. The fitting openings 116 are used for the fitting of

the hot-water pipe support units 114, and each of the fitting openings 116 is formed at opposite inner edges thereof with holding protrusions 120. The holding protrusions 120 serve to allow the hot-water pipe support unit 114 to be securely fitted in the fitting opening 116 so as not to be easily separated.

The hot-water pipe support units 114 are arrangable in various patterns, and hence provide freedom in arrangement of the hot-water pipe 118 on the base supporting panel 112 for uniform heating. Such hot-water pipe support units 114, thus, simplify installation of the hot-water pipe 118 relative to the base supporting panel 112.

Each of the hot-water pipe support units 114 is configured in such a manner that a hot-water pipe receiving recess 122 is centrally formed therein. The hot-water pipe receiving recess 122 has inwardly tapered entrance edges, and a center portion thereof between the inwardly tapered entrance edges has the same circular cross section as that of the hot-water pipe 118 for enabling stable fitting of the hot-water pipe 118.

At opposite lower edges of the hot-water pipe support unit 114 are formed holding hooks 126 corresponding to the holding protrusions 120 of the fitting opening 116. As the holding hooks 126 are caught by the holding protrusions 120, the hot- water pipe support unit 114 is securable in the fitting opening 116.

About the hot-water pipe receiving recess 122, opposite lateral portions of the hot-water pipe support unit 114 have a hollow structure. Such hollowed lateral portions of the hot- water pipe support unit 114 provide flexibility, allowing the hot-water pipe support unit 114 to be easily inserted and fitted in the fitting opening 116. In order to enhance the flexibility, the hot-water pipe support unit 114 is preferably made of an elastic material.

Considering construction of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention as stated above, first, a predetermined number of the base supporting panels 112 are assembled with one another at the floor. In succession, the hot-water pipe support units 114 are fitted in the fitting openings 116 of the base supporting panels 112, and are secured as the holding hooks 126 of the respective hot-water pipe support units 114 are caught by the holding protrusions 120 of the respective fitting openings 116.

In actual, the size of the fitting opening 116 of the base supporting panel 112 is smaller than that of the hot-water pipe support unit 114 in order to increase a coupling force therebetween. In addition, the hot-water pipe support unit 114 is elastically bent and fitted in the fitting opening 116 by virtue of both the hollowed lateral portions 128 of the hot- water pipe support unit 114.

That is, the holding hooks 126 of the hot-water pipe support unit 114 are bendable inward toward each other and are fittable in the fitting opening 116 with the result that the hcllowed lateral portions 128 are open at the bottom of the'-hot- water pipe support unit 114.

Since the hot-water pipe support unit 114, fitted in the fitting opening 116 in such an inwardly bent state, can elastically restore its original shape, the holding hooks 126 are smoothly captured by the holding protrusions of the fitting opening 116. In addition, by virtue of elasticity continuously applied to the hot-water pipe support unit 114, the coupling force of the hot-water pipe support unit 114 to the fitting opening 116 is strongly maintained.

After completing the coupling of all of the hot-water support units 114 relative to the base supporting panel 112, the hot-water pipe 118 is fitted in the hot-water pipe receiving

recesses 122 of the hot-water support units 114. Then, as the upper cover panels 130 are installed above the hot-water pipe 118, the construction of the indoor floor heating system in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is completed.

As the hot-water pipe 118 transmits heat generated from hot water to the upper cover panels 130, it acts to keep a room warm.

For this reason, the arrangement position of the hot-water pipe 118 relative to the floor is very important. Therefore, as the base supporting panels 112 are provided in desried numbers and are assembled at desired positions of the floor, the hot-water pipe 118 is arrangable in various patterns through the use of the hot-water pipe support units 114 coupled in the base supporting panels 112.

In relation with the arrangement position of the hot-water pipe 118, it must not be easily displacable. For this, the hot- water pipe support unit 114 has the inwardly tapered entrance edges, and the hot-water pipe receiving recess 122 centrally formed in the hot-water pipe support unit 114 has the same circular cross section as that of the hot-water pipe 118. With such a configuration of the hot-water pipe support unit 114, the hot-water pipe 118 is easily fittable in the hot-water pipe receiving recess 122 without the risk of unintentional displacement.

An upper surface of the hot-water pipe support unit 114 is preferably flat for allowing the upper cover panel 130 to be horizontally mounted thereon.

Prefeably, before installing the upper cover panel 130, inside a space 125 defined between the hot-water pipe support units 114 is filled a material emitting far-infrared rays, for example, jade, bio stone, yellow soil, germanium, or the like, beneficial to the health.

[Industrial Applicability] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a hypocasut heating system wherein from resoective base supporting panels, assembled with one another at the floor, protrude upwardly a plurality of hot-water pipe support posts for allowing a hot-water pipe to be arranged in various patterns, thereby enabling easy construction of the hot- water pipe as well as appropriate arrangement thereof, resulting in maximized heating efficiency.

Further, according to the present invention, by increasing durability of coupling means used to couple upper cover panels, located above the hot-water pipe, to the base supporting panels assembled on the building floor, structural stability of the indoor floor heating system can be remarkably increased.

Furthermore, the indoor floor heating system achieves a reduction in weight, and applies only a small amount of load to the floor, resulting in an improvement in structural stability of the floor.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.