The invention relates to a floor slab for producing a floor, which floor slab comprises a concrete shell with an upper surface, and a periphery delimiting said upper surface, as well as steel profiles, a part of which is embedded in the concrete shell and another part of which protrudes on the upper surface of the concrete shell.

A drawback of known floor slabs for producing a floor is the fact that the periphery of the concrete shell is hardly finished, if at all, as a result of which a relatively large amount of work has to be carried out at the construction site to finish the floor slab to a sufficient degree.

Another drawback is the fact that it requires a relatively large amount of time to produce a floor from several such floor slabs at the construction site.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a floor slab which is already finished to a relatively high degree before the floor slab is fitted at the construction site, so that finishing of the floor slab at the construction site becomes less labour-intensive. It is a further object of the invention to provide a floor slab which can be connected to further floor slabs relatively quickly at the construction site in order thus to form a floor.

To this end, the floor slab according to the invention is characterized by the fact that profiles extend at the periphery of the concrete shell.

As a result of the fact that profiles extend at the periphery of the concrete shell, the edges of the concrete shell, the finishing of which at the construction site usually requires a relatively large amount of work, are already finished to a relatively high degree before the floor slab is placed, thus saving the construction workers at the construction site a considerable amount of work. Furthermore, by means of such a floor slab, it is possible to construct a floor from several floor slabs relatively quickly in a modular way due to the fact that the floor slabs can be coupled to one another in a relatively simple manner by their profiles.

The floor slab may consist of a number of longitudinal beams and a cross beam which are connected to one another, wherein one of the longitudinal beams and/or the cross beam is tapered.

In a further embodiment, the profiles which extend on the periphery of the concrete shell are at a non-zero angle to one another. Due to the fact that the profiles which extend on the periphery of the concrete shell are at a non-zero angle to one another, it is possible to provide a floor slab which is highly adaptable to the other parts of the building structure in which the floor slab has to be placed. In this case, it is conceivable to use a floor slab which has, in top view, in addition to a generally customary rectangular shape, a triangular or other polygonal shape.

In yet a further embodiment, profiles extend along the entire periphery of the concrete shell. The fact that the profiles extend along the entire periphery of the concrete shell results in a convenient coffer which can be readily transported prior to the floor slab being placed in the building structure, and can subsequently also be readily installed.

In yet another further embodiment, profiles extending on the periphery adjoin each other in pairs. In this way, it is relatively easy to produce a floor slab which, in top view, is four-sided while using a minimal number of profiles.

In yet a further embodiment, the profiles are situated on the outermost boundary of the periphery of the concrete shell. By placing the profiles on the outermost boundary of the concrete shell, it is possible to produce a relatively simple connection between profiles of adjacent floor slabs.

Yet another further embodiment relates to a floor slab in which the profiles comprise at least a flange and a web, and the flange is embedded in the concrete shell. By embedding the flange in the concrete shell, the flange can efficiently absorb the tensile forces occurring in the concrete shell, while the web advantageously also provides the floor slab with resistance to bending.

Yet a further embodiment relates to a floor slab, in which the profiles have a C- shaped cross section and the hollow sides of the C-shaped cross section of the profiles extending on the periphery face each other. A profile with a C-shaped or a similar cross section, when compared with a profile of a different cross section, has the advantage that relatively little material is required to provide the profile with the necessary stiffness and strength. This has the further advantage that the floor slab can be made even more light-weight.

In a further embodiment, one or more profiles are made of cold-deformed steel. An advantage of cold-rolled steel is the fact that the profiles have a reduced weight as a result. Thus, the weight of the floor slab can be reduced still further.

In yet another further embodiment, one or more profiles are provided with a coupling with a centring point. By using a coupling with a centring point, profiles of adjacent floor slabs can be positioned relatively easily and accurately with respect to one another. Alternatively, instead of a centring point, a gusset plate can be used. The advantage of a gusset plate is that it does not readily "pull up".

Yet a further embodiment relates to a floor slab, in which one or more profiles are provided with one or more holes for passing through ducts. By providing one or more profiles with holes for ducts, installation of the floor is simplified further due to the fact that the ducts can be pulled through relatively quickly.

Yet another further embodiment relates to a floor slab, in which one or more supporting blocks are fitted along one or more profiles. By fitting one or more supporting blocks along one or more profiles, pressure forces acting from above can be transmitted more efficiently to the concrete shell. This is advantageous if for example a wall is moved on top of the respective profile.

The invention also relates to a floor comprising a floor slab as described above and a cover layer which is supported on profiles which extend at least on the periphery of the floor slab. The cover layer may advantageously be made of so-called OSB board or other plate material.

A further embodiment relates to a floor, in which the cover layer of the floor slab protrudes with respect to one or more of at least the profiles which extend on the periphery of the floor slab. Allowing the cover layer to protrude slightly, for example when connecting several floor slabs, prevents a relatively large gap from occurring between the cover layers of adjacent floor slabs, thus giving the floor a more attractive appearance. A further advantage is the fact that objects which fall on the floor cannot end up between the floor slabs and thus become irretrievable.

In this case, it is advantageous that the protruding part of the cover layer can be supported by an adjoining profile of a further floor slab. When joining up several floor slabs, it is thus relatively simple to connect the cover layer to an adjoining profile of a further floor slab.

In this case, it is advantageous if one or more of at least the profiles extending on the periphery of the floor slab are partly not covered by the cover layer. The uncovered part of the respective profile can be used to support the protruding cover layer of a further floor slab.

In addition, the invention relates to a building comprising one or more such floor slabs or one or more floors comprising such floor slabs, wherein the upper surface of the concrete shell is situated on the top side of the concrete shell.

An embodiment relates to a building, wherein the floor slabs are only supported near two opposite peripheral profiles of the floor slab. As a result of the lightweight construction of the floor slab, it suffices to support the floor slab in said positions. Another aspect of the invention relates to the method for producing a floor slab for producing a floor, which floor slab comprises a concrete shell with an upper surface, and a periphery delimiting said surface, as well as steel profiles, a part of which is embedded in the concrete shell and another part of which protrudes on the upper surface of the concrete shell, wherein profiles extend on the periphery of the concrete shell, comprising the following steps: producing the peripheral profiles from a steel strip,

- connecting the peripheral profiles in order to form a frame,

- pouring concrete in order to form a concrete shell, wherein a part of the profiles is embedded in the concrete shell and another part protrudes on the upper surface of the concrete shell. An embodiment relates to a method, wherein one or more further profiles are fitted between two ooDosite Derioheral orofiles and extend substantially Darallel to the two opposite peripheral profiles. As a result of the additional structural strength, it becomes possible to span relatively large distances. Another embodiment relates to a method, wherein the profiles are made so as to be able to mate with one another due to one of the profiles being tapered with respect to a profile which is to be connected thereto. Thus, it is possible to produce profiles which mutually fit by means of a single, relatively simple operation. A further embodiment relates to a method according to one of the claims, wherein one or more supporting blocks are fitted along one or more profiles. Thus, pressure forces acting on the profiles can be transmitted efficiently to the concrete shell. These supporting blocks are preferably made of concrete. Other types of supporting bodies made of different materials are also conceivable.

Yet another further embodiment relates to a method, wherein the supporting blocks are partly embedded in the concrete while the concrete shell is being poured. Thus, an efficient transmission of force is achieved due to the fact that the supporting block and the concrete shell are in such close contact.

In addition, the supporting blocks, while being fitted along the one or more profiles, can be provided with anchor rods which extend in the supporting blocks and the concrete shell and connect these to one another. Thus, an optimum connection and transmission of forces between the supporting block and the concrete shell is achieved. Description of the figures

The invention will be described by means of an embodiment with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a floor slab according to the invention;

Fig. 2a shows a detail view in cross section of a head end of a floor slab according to the invention provided with an outer cross beam;

Fig. 2b shows a detail view in cross section of a head end of a floor slab according to the invention provided with an outer cross beam and a supporting block;

Fig. 3 shows a detail view of a side of a floor slab according to the invention provided with an outer longitudinal beam;

Fig. 4 shows a detail view of an intermediate longitudinal beam in a floor slab according to the invention provided with a passage opening for ducts; and

Fig. 5 shows a detail view of two floor slabs according to the invention, in which the floor slabs are coupled in the longitudinal direction.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a floor slab 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the floor slab 1 is provided with a top floor 2 which is connected to a concrete shell 3 by means of six longitudinal beams 4 and three cross beams 1 1. The number of beams 4, 1 1 depends on the distance which has to be spanned by the floor slab 1 and the distance which is maintained between the beams 4, 11 in order to ensure the stiffness of the floor slab 1.

In the embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 1, the longitudinal beams 4 and the cross beams 11 are configured as C-beams. It is also possible to use similar beams, such as sigma beams. The beams 4, 1 1 are provided with a web plate 6 which extends between the top floor 2 and the concrete shell 3, and a bottom flange 5 and an upper flange 7 which are connected to the bottom end and the top end of the web plate 6, respectively. The bottom flange 5 is in this case embedded in the concrete shell 3. The upper flange 7 is connected to the top floor 2 by means of suitable connecting means, such as screw connections. As an alternative, use can be made of other types of beams, such as the sigma beams, which have already been mentioned, or I beams - a person skilled in the art will understand.

Advantageously, the top floor 2 may be made from Oriented Strand Board or OSB illustrated in Fig. 1 or of different plate material.

Furthermore, the longitudinal beams 4 are provided with passage openings 9 for passing ducts through an installation space which is formed by the space between the top floor 2 and the concrete shell 3.

Near the outer cross beams l ib, the floor slab 1 is provided with supporting blocks 8, for example concrete supporting blocks, which are placed between the top floor 2 and the concrete shell 3 in a close-fitting manner. The supporting blocks 8 are intended to transmit relatively large pressure loads acting from above from the top floor 2 to the concrete shell 3, such as pressure loads caused by other structural parts, such as walls, which rest on the respective edge of the floor slab 1 during use. The supporting blocks 8 can also be fitted near the outer longitudinal beams 4b in a similar manner.

Fig. 1 furthermore shows that the top floor 2 protrudes slightly with respect to the web plate 6 on the right-hand longitudinal side of the floor slab 1. At the same time, it can be seen that the top floor 2 leaves the upper flange 7 of the outer longitudinal beam 4b partly uncovered there on the left-hand longitudinal side of the floor slab 1. This is aimed at ensuring that when two floor slabs 1 are coupled, in which case the web plates 6 of the outer longitudinal beams 4b of the floor slabs 1 are placed against each other, the protruding part of the top floor 2 of the one floor slab may come to rest on the uncovered part of the upper flange of the outer longitudinal beam of the other floor slab, as a result of which the width of the gap produced between the top floors of the floor slabs is minimized.

Fig. 2a shows a detail view in cross section of a head end of a floor slab 1 according to the invention which is provided with an outer cross beam 1 lb. More specifically, Fig. 2a shows the outer cross beam 1 lb as illustrated in Fig. 1 on the head end facing the reader of the floor slab 1 illustrated there.

On the left-hand side of Fig. 2a, the outer cross beam l ib configured as a C beam can be seen, provided with a web plate 6, as well as the upper flange 7 and bottom flange 5 connected to the web plate 6. The upper flange 7 is connected to the top floor 2 and the bottom flange 5 is embedded in the concrete shell 3. In the embodiment as illustrated, both the bottom flange 5 and the upper flange 7 are provided with a raised edge.

The concrete shell 3 as illustrated is provided with distribution reinforcement bars 14 and main reinforcement 15 to render the concrete shell 3 better able to withstand pulling forces. It is also possible to see a pyramid-shaped spacer 13 for keeping the bottom flange 5 at a distance from the bottom of the concrete shell 3 while the bottom flange 5 of the outer cross beam 1 lb is being embedded in the concrete shell 3. The spacer 13 also serves to keep the bottom of the concrete shell 3 at a distance while the reinforcement 14, 15 is being embedded. In this case, the bottom flange 5 is provided with holes for accommodating the ends of main reinforcement 15. In this embodiment, the illustrated outer cross beam l ib has a height Hi of 150

- 500 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the concrete shell 3 has a thickness D _b of 60

- 120 mm. These dimensions depend on the demands which are to be met by the floor slab 1 in relation to the building structure of which the floor slab 1 forms part. In the illustrated embodiment , both the reinforcement and the beams ar e covered by the concrete shell, which offers advantages with regard to fire-resistance.

Fig. 2b shows a detail view in cross section of the head end of the floor slab 1 from Fig. 2a which is provided with the outer cross beam l ib with a (concrete) supporting block 8. In Fig. 2b, the supporting block 8 is clamped between the top floor 2 and the concrete shell 3 in order to transmit pressure forces acting from above to the concrete shell 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the supporting block 8 has a width of 150 mm. Near an underside, the supporting block 8 is provided with a roughened profile in order to achieve a good connection to the concrete shell 3. Near the underside, the (concrete) supporting block 8 is partly embedded in the concrete of the concrete shell 3. The supporting block 8 is fixed with respect to the outer cross beam 1 lb by means of some fixing pins 16. The cross section shows three fixing pins 16, two of which have been forced through the web plate 6 in the supporting block 8 and one through the upper flange 7. The fixing pins 16 may, for example, comprise screws. It can also be seen that the upper flange 7, which is provided with a raised edge in Fig. 2b, extends approximately as far as halfway of the supporting block 8. There, the supporting block 8 is provided with a slot to accommodate the raised edge of the upper flange 7. The supporting block 8 is thus connected to the top floor 2, partly indirectly via the upper flange 7 and partly directly via an upper surface of the supporting block 8 itself.

Fig. 3 shows a detail view of a side of a floor slab 1 according to the invention which is provided with an outer longitudinal beam 4b. In principle, it is possible, as is illustrated, to use the same type of beam as the outer cross beams 4b illustrated in Figs. 2a and 2b, such as beams having a C profile. However, there is a significant difference to the detail view illustrated in Fig. 2b, namely that a connecting reinforcement 17 is provided in the vicinity of the bottom flange 5, on top of the main reinforcement 15, and partly extends along the distribution reinforcement bars 14 in order to withstand bending moments at the location of the bottom flange 5. The connecting reinforcement 17 is attached to the distribution reinforcement bars 14 by pins and thus fixed with respect to the distribution reinforcement bars 14.

Fig. 4 shows a detail view of an intermediate longitudinal beam 4a in a floor slab 1 according to the invention which is provided with a passage opening 9 for a duct 19. As in Fig. 3, a longitudinal beam 4 can again be seen, but in this case it is not an outer longitudinal beam, but rather an intermediate longitudinal beam 4a which is arranged at a distance from the edge of the concrete shell 3. In the concrete shell 3, at the location of the bottom flange 5, a connecting reinforcement 18 is provided which runs parallel to the distribution reinforcement bars 14 and serves to withstand bending moments in said location. The passage opening 9 which is provided in the web plate 6 has a diameter of, for example, 50 - 180 mm. This diameter is adapted to the diameter of the duct 19 to be passed through. On the hollow side of the C profile, the web plate 6 is bent around the duct 19 by means of a flange.

Fig. 5 shows a detail view of two floor slabs , 1 " according to the invention, wherein the floor slabs , 1 " are connected in the longitudinal direction by means of a coupling with a centring point 20 or a coupling plate. Fig. 5 shows how the top floor 2" of the floor slab 1 " protrudes slightly with respect to the web plate 6 of the floor section 1 " and in this case rests on the upper flange 7 of the floor section and is attached thereto. Top floor 2' then leaves just a portion of the upper flange 7 of the floor section uncovered so as to allow the top floor 2" to come to lie partly on the upper flange 7, as has been described above. The protruding top floor 2" is in this case connected to the upper flange 7 of the floor slab 1 " by one screw and connected to the upper flange 7 of the floor slab 1 " by another screw.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the method for producing such a floor slab. First and foremost, the profile for a longitudinal beam 4 or cross beam 1 1 for forming a frame is formed by a flat steel strip. Together with the concrete shell 3, these beams 4, 11 form the main supporting structure of the floor slab. Incidentally, in this context, the term frame is understood to mean: the assembly of mutually connected longitudinal beams 4 and cross beams 1 1. If necessary, the strip is provided with necessary passage holes for connecting reinforcement 18 and passage openings 9 for ducts. Preferably, so-called flared holes are used for the passage openings 9: by flanging the edge, a reinforcement rib is formed, thus reducing the weakness of the respective profile/the beam to a minimum. Thereafter, the profile is moulded to the correct shape by means of a machine which is suitable for this purpose. At the locations where the longitudinal beams 4 and cross beams 11, 1 lb are connected to each other, the height of the longitudinal beams 4, 4b is slightly reduced, also known as "tapering", so that they fit in the cross beams 1 lb. As an alternative, the cross beams 11, 1 lb are tapered in the locations where the longitudinal beams 4 and cross beams 11, l ib are connected to one another, so that they fit in the longitudinal beams 4b. In order to connect the profiles to one another, a recessed rounding is provided in the flange 7, so that the head of the screw which is to be used does not protrude above the flange 7. In addition, it is possible to click-fit the profiles to one another in a dimensionally stable way by means of these roundings.

The construction frame assembled in this way can be used in floors, but also in walls and roofs. Depending on the desirability or necessity, it is possible to fit a structural plate on one or two sides, in which case the floor slab 1 has a sealing and supporting function.

As discussed, such a floor slab 1 is used with a bottom concrete shell 3. The assembled structure consists of the frame, in which the supporting beams 4, 1 1 on the underside are embedded in concrete. Underneath the main beams, a reinforcement mat 14, 15 is provided and this mat is suspended from the steel frame by means of connecting reinforcement 18 which comprises round steel rods and is inserted into the profile. These rods and the passage holes provided in the bottom edge of the longitudinal beams 4 ensure good attachment between the steel and the concrete. It is also possible to couple the reinforcement 14, 15 to the profiles by means of these passage holes. The distance between the passage holes is preferably 100-200 mm, more preferably 150 mm. The diameter of the passage holes in that part of the bottom flange 5 which is horizontal during use, is preferably 20-40 mm, more preferably 32 mm. The diameter of the passage holes in the bottom part of the web plate and those in a raised end part of the bottom flange 5, also referred to as a "lip", is preferably 5-15 mm, more preferably 10 mm.

The concrete with the required covering provides an improved resistance to fire penetration. If desired, it is possible to provide the top side of the frame with different types of finishing plates which are preferably detachable. In this way, a hollow space is created between the concrete shell 3 and the finishing plates in which ducts can be fitted which can also be readily modified due to the removable top plate. Incidentally, the concrete shell 3 is poured in the factory under controlled conditions. The thickness of the concrete shell 3 may vary, depending on the demands with regard to fire resistance and/or sound insulation.

In order to be able to build onto these floor slabs 1 (for example brick walls, steel frames or the like), supporting blocks are provided in the cross beams 11, l ib situated underneath and embedded in the concrete, so that the profile cannot bend under the load on top. These supporting blocks 8 directly transmit the force to the embedded bottom edge and the concrete shell 3. The supporting blocks 8 are directly embedded in the concrete shell 3 when the concrete is being poured using inserted coupling rods or anchor rods.

By using the steel frame as the shape-defining part of the floor slab, a rigid floor slab of good dimensional accuracy is produced, which has the features and properties of a concrete floor, but is lighter and which furthermore does not require any further finishing operations on the construction site.

List of reference numerals

1, 1 ', 1 ". Floor slab

2, 2', 2". Top floor

3. Concrete shell

4. Longitudinal beam

4a. Intermediate longitudinal beam

4b. Outer longitudinal beam

5. Bottom flange

6. Web plate

7. Upper flange

8. Supporting block

9. Passage opening

10, 10', 10". Floor

11. Cross beam

1 1a. Intermediate cross beam l ib. Outer cross beam

13. Spacer

14. Distribution reinforcement bars

15. Main reinforcement

16. Fixing pin

17. Connecting reinforcement

18. Connecting reinforcement

19. Duct

20. Coupling with centring point