The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a support system for raised floors.

EP1304426 and WO2008105012 disclose a support system for raised floors. Such a system comprises: a base element, a spacing element, a top element and a swinging cap that is coupled on the top element with spherical coupling mode. The base element is disposed on an inclined plane for water draining purposes. The swinging cap supports the elements of the raised floor in such a way to be maintained along a horizontal plane.

The base element, the spacing element and the top element of the support system are disposed coaxially one on top of the other, with axis orthogonal to the support plane. In case of a high inclination of the support plane, the axis of the base element, spacing element and top element is very inclined with respect to a vertical axis. Consequently, such a support system is especially unstable, with the risk that the orthogonal line passing by the center of gravity of the support system may come out of the base element, making the support system collapse.

Such a drawback is worsened in case of very long raised floors. As a matter of fact, in such a case, the support systems disposed in positions with a high distance between the support plane and the floor elements need to be especially long. Obviously, being inclined with respect to a vertical line, the longest support systems are the least stable ones, thus imposing very severe limitations for the application of the support system.

The swinging cap that is positioned on the top element is provided with vertical diaphragms that act as stops for the floor elements and are to be broken according to the arrangement of the floor elements. The breaking operation of such diaphragms is not easy because pliers are to be used to impose twisting moments and bending moments on the diaphragms. Moreover, such diaphragms tend to interfere with the floor elements, bending and becoming useless during the maintenance of the floor, when the floor elements are first removed and then replaced in position.

After mounting the floor, the swinging cap remains unstable. In fact, multiple portions of floor elements are disposed on the swinging cap, for example portions of four different floor elements. Therefore, if the user is positioned only on one portion of the floor, the swinging cap loses its compensation principle. In fact, the swinging cap will remain perfectly horizontal only if the weight is equally distributed on each portion of floor disposed on the swinging cap. In case of unbalance, the swinging cap will move, thus impairing the comfort of the raised floor. For example, the lack of balance can be caused by the unbalancing of the user on the floor or by the use of floor elements with different dimensions and weight.

US2013/0219809 discloses a support system for raised floors comprising:

- a base intended to be placed on the ground,

- a cap that is coupled with the base, and

- an upper element disposed on the cap and intended to support floor elements.

The base has an upward-facing concave seat. The cap has a bottom wall, shaped as a segment of a sphere, which is coupled with the concave seat of the base, forming a spherical joint. A key goes through the cap and is engaged in a receptacle for key obtained in the base, in such a way that the bottom wall of the cap can slide and rotate in the concave seat of the base and therefore the cap can oscillate with respect to the base. Such a system is impaired by drawbacks both during construction and assembly because of the mounting of the key and because of the fact that the cap always swings with respect to the base, being impossible to block it.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by disclosing a support system for raised floors that is reliable, effective, practical, and easy to make and install.

These purposes are achieved according to the present invention with the characteristics of the independent claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments will appear from the dependent claims. The support system for raised floors comprises:

- a base intended to be placed on a surface,

- a lower element coupled with the base, and

- an upper element coupled with the lower element and intended to support floor elements.

The base has a concave seat shaped as a segment of a sphere; the lower element has a bottom wall shaped as a segment of a sphere, in such a way that the lower element can be coupled to the base in spherical coupling mode.

In view of the above, when the base is placed on an inclined plane, the axis of the base is orthogonal to the inclined plane and consequently the axis of the base is inclined with respect to a vertical axis. Given the fact that the lower element is coupled with the base in spherical coupling mode, the axis of the lower element and of the upper element is orthogonal to the horizontal floor plane. Therefore the axis of the lower element and of the upper element is perfectly vertical, making the support system perfectly stable.

Moreover, the fact that the upper element has a fixed head that supports the floor elements eliminates the drawbacks of the prior art that are due to the unbalancing caused by the different weights imposed on the swinging cap. As a matter of fact, according to the support system of the invention, the head of the upper element is a fixed, non-swinging head and therefore its stability is not subject to weight balance laws. Consequently, the floor is stable, safe, and very comfortable for the user.

In particular, the base comprises locking teeth upwardly protruding from the concave housing of the base for engaging into seats situated in said bottom wall of the lower element, so that a motion of the lower element is blocked with respect to the base. Such a type of coupling between the base and the lower element simplifies the assembly of the system.

Additional features of the invention will appear clear from the detailed description below, which refers to merely illustrative, not limiting embodiments shown in the attached figures, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a support system for raised floors;

Fig. 2 is an axial sectional view of the support system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is an exploded axial sectional view of the support system of Fig.

1 ;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a base of the support system of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a lower element of the support system of

Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a closing plate of the support system of

Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an upper element of the support system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the support system of Fig. 1 wherein an intermediate element is inserted between the lower element and the upper element;

Fig. 9 is an axial sectional view of the support system of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the intermediate element of the support system of Fig. 8;

Fig. 1 1 is an axial sectional view of the support system according to the invention;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a base of the support system of Fig. 1 1 ; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the lower element of the support system of Fig. 1 1 ;

Fig.14 is a perspective view of the head of the support system of Fig.

1 1 ;

Fig. 15A is an exploded perspective view that shows the assembly of the lower element onto the base;

Fig. 15B is the same view as Fig. 15A, except for it shows the lower element disposed in locking position;

Fig. 16A is a sectional view that shows an enlarged detail of the coupling between the base and the lower element, sectioned along a flexible tongue of the base, when the elastic tongue is in raised position; Fig. 16B is the same view as 16A, except for it shows the elastic tongue of the base in lowered position;

Fig. 17A is a sectional view that shows an enlarged detail of the coupling between the base and the lower element, sectioned along a locking tooth of the base, when the locking tooth is in a large seat of the lower element in oscillating configuration;

Fig. 17B is the same view as 17A, but showing the locking tooth in a small seat of the lower element in locking configuration.

With reference to Figs 1 -10, a support system is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference numeral 1 .

Now with reference to Figs. 1 , 2 and 3, the support system (1 ) comprises:

- a base (2) intended to be placed on a surface,

- a lower element (3) coupled with the base (2),

- a closing plate (4) coupled with the lower element (3), and

- an upper element (5) coupled with the lower element (3) and intended to support floor elements.

With reference also to Fig. 4, the base (2) comprises a base plate (20) with discoidal shape intended to be placed on the surface where the raised floor is to be mounted. Generally, such a surface is an inclined plane with respect to the horizontal direction for water draining purposes.

A cylindrical portion (21 ) protrudes in upper position and in axial direction from the base plate (20). Said cylindrical portion (21 ) has a concave housing (22) shaped as a portion of a segment of a sphere. The concave housing (22) is obtained by means of a plurality of radial ribs (23) that converge towards a central hub (24).

A cylindrical shank (25) protrudes from the central hub (24) in upper position. A plurality of radial tongues (26) radially protrudes from the cylindrical shank (25). Each radial tongue (26) has a slot (27). For illustrative purposes, three radial tongues (26) are provided and equally spaced angularly. The base plate (20) is provided with a plurality of radial ribs (29) going outwards from the cylindrical portion (21 ) and with at least one circumferential rib (28) extending peripherally with respect to the cylindrical portion (21 ).

With reference also to Fig. 5, the lower element (3) has a cylindrical shape, is internally empty and open on top. The lower element (3) comprises a bottom wall (30) and a lateral wall (33). The bottom wall (30) is shaped as a portion of a segment of a sphere with the same radius of curvature as the concave housing (22) of the base and with the same dimensions of the concave housing of the base.

The bottom wall (30) is centrally provided with a hole (31 ) with circular shape and radial slots (32) that permit the insertion of the radial tongues (26) of the cylindrical shank of the base. In view of the above, after inserting the radial tongues (26) of the cylindrical shank of the base inside the slots (32) of the central hole of the lower element, the lower element (3) is rotated with respect to the base (2) in such a way that the edge of the central hole (31 ) of the lower element is engaged inside the slots (27) of the radial tongues of the shank of the base, fixing the lower element (3) to the base (2). The engagement of the edge of the central hole (31 ) of the lower element inside the slots (27) of the radial tongues of the shank of the base provides a clearance. In view of the above, the bottom wall (30) of the lower element can slide inside the concave housing (22) of the base in spherical coupling mode, permitting an inclination in all directions of the axis of the lower element (3) with respect to the axis of the base (2).

Therefore a spherical joint is obtained between the base (2) and the lower element (3). Obviously, likewise, the lower element (3) can be provided with a housing shaped as a segment of a sphere and the base (2) can be provided with a protruding portion shaped as a segment of a sphere that is engaged in the housing of the lower element, thus obtaining a spherical joint.

The lateral wall (33) of the lower element has an external thread (34). Protruding parts (39) protrude outwards from the lateral wall (33) in the proximity of the bottom wall. Reinforcement ribs (35) protrude inwards from the lateral wall (33). Two teeth (36) radially protrude inwards from the upper edge of the lateral wall (33). The teeth (36) are disposed in diametrally opposite positions.

Two slots (37) are obtained in the lateral wall (33) in the proximity of the upper edge of the lateral wall, in diametrally opposite positions. The slots (37) are spaced by an angle of 90° with respect to the teeth (36).

A slot (38) shaped as an overturned "U" is obtained in the lateral wall (33) in the proximity of the upper edge of the lateral wall and in the proximity of one of the slots (27). Such a slot (38) acts as a hook in order to prevent the coming out of a fixing screw that is used to block the lower element (3) and the upper element (5) in position. Moreover, such a slot (38) acts as detecting means to inform the user about the fixing moment of the support system, indicating the minimum holding angle of the thread of the fixing screw that represents the lower limit value.

With reference to Fig. 6, the closing plate (4) is shaped as a disc that substantially has the same diameter as the internal diameter of the lower element (3).

The closing plate (4) is centrally provided with a parallelepiped projection (40) that projects downwards and defines a seat (41 ) that is open towards the top.

Two elastic tongues (42) protrude in lower position from the edge of the closing plate (4), in diametrally opposite directions along the major axis of the projection (40). The elastic tongues are provided at the ends with retention teeth (43) intended to engage in the slots (37) of the lower element in snap-in coupling mode.

Two notches (44) are obtained in the edge of the closing plate (4) in diametrally opposite directions and spaced by an angle of 90° from the elastic tongues (42). When the closing plate (4) is mounted in the lower element (3), the teeth (36) of the lower element are engaged in the notches (44) of the plate.

With reference to Fig. 7, the upper element (5) has a cylindrical lateral wall (50) provided with an internal thread (51 ) intended to be engaged with the external thread (34) of the lower element in threaded screwing mode.

Longitudinal projections (59) project outwards from the lateral wall (50). A head (52) shaped as a discoidal plate is disposed on the cylindrical lateral wall (50). The head (52) has a larger diameter than the cylindrical lateral wall (50). The head (52) is provided with a central hole (53) intended to receive a tool that is engaged in the seat (41 ) of the closing plate in order to screw the lower element with respect to the upper element. Four teeth (54) radially protrude inwards from the edges of the central hole (53).

Four peripheral holes (55) are obtained in the head (52) in equally spaced position towards the teeth (54).

A disc (56) is disposed inside each peripheral hole (55) and connected to the head (52) by means of strips (57) made of breakable material. For example, each disc (56) is connected to the head by means of four strips of breakable material (57) disposed in equally spaced position.

A tongue (58) protrudes in upper position from each disc (56). The diametrally opposite tongues (58) lie on the same plate, dividing the head (52) in four sections, inside which portions of rectangular floor elements, such as wooden panels, tiles and the like, can be disposed. Therefore, the rigid tongues act as stop and positioning part for the floor elements.

Obviously, if two floor elements are to be disposed on the head (52), two tongues (58) can be removed easily by rotating each tongue (58), breaking the strips of breakable material (57) and removing the tongue together with the disc (56).

Advantageously, the tongues (58) are made of rubber and can be firmly fixed to the head (52). In such a way the tongues (58) can bend without breaking. If a plate hits the tongue (58) accidentally, the tongue (58) will not break. Moreover, in case of maintenance, the tongues (58) do not break when the floor plates are raised or laid again. The tongues (58) can be removed with a cutter in order to cut the rubber.

The support system (1 ) can be adjusted in height by screwing or unscrewing the upper element (5) with respect to the lower element (3).

When the base (2) is placed on an inclined plane, the axis of the base is orthogonal to the inclined plane and consequently the axis of the base is inclined with respect to a vertical axis. Given the fact that the lower element (3) is coupled with the base (2) in spherical coupling mode, the axis of the lower element (3) and of the upper element (5) is orthogonal to the horizontal floor plane. Therefore the axis of the lower element (3) and of the upper element (5) is perfectly vertical, giving a perfect stability to the support system (1 ).

With reference to Figs. 8 and 9, an intermediate element (6) acting as extension is added to the support system (1 ) in order to increase the height of the support system (1 ). The intermediate element (6) is disposed between the lower element (3) and the upper element (5). The closing plate (4) is fixed to the intermediate element (6) in order to screw the intermediate element (6) with a tool inserted in the central hole (53) of the head of the upper element.

With reference to Fig. 10, the intermediate element comprises:

- a first cylindrical portion (60) provided with an internal thread (61 ) intended to be engaged with the external thread (34) of the lower element; and

- a second cylindrical portion (62) provided with an external thread (63) intended to be engaged with the internal thread (51 ) of the upper element.

Obviously, multiple identical intermediate elements (6) can be used. In fact, the internal thread (61 ) of an intermediate element can be screwed onto the external thread (63) of another intermediate element.

Two teeth (66) radially protrude inwards from the upper edge of the second cylindrical portion (62) of the intermediate element. The teeth (66) are disposed in diametrally opposite positions.

Two slots (67) are obtained in the second cylindrical portion (62) of the intermediate element, in the proximity of the upper edge of the second cylindrical portion (62) of the intermediate element, in diametrally opposite positions. The slots (67) are spaced by an angle of 90° with respect to the teeth (66).

A slot (68) shaped as an overturned "U" is obtained in the second cylindrical portion (62) of the intermediate element, in the proximity of the upper edge of the lateral wall and in the proximity of one of the slots (27). The slot (68) of the intermediate element has the same functions as the slot (38) of the lower element. In the following description, parts that are identical or correspond to the parts described above are identified with the same numerals, omitting their detailed description.

Fig. 1 shows the support system according to the invention, which is generally indicated with reference numeral 101 .

With reference to Fig. 12, the base (2) of the support system (101 ) comprises a housing (22) that consists in a cup (122) shaped as a portion of a segment of a sphere. Elastic tongues (7) obtained by means of "U"-shaped notches (70) in the cup (122) are provided in the housing (22). The elastic tongues (7) are peripherally connected to the cup (122) and extend radially towards the center of the cup (122).

A positioning tooth (71 ) that protrudes in upper position from the tongue is provided on each elastic tongue (7). The positioning tooth (71 ) is shaped as a rib shaped as an arc of circle.

The elastic tongue (7) is provided with an ending portion (73) that extends centrally with respect to the positioning tooth (71 ), having a higher thickness than the portion of tongue that extends peripherally with respect to the positioning tooth. In normal conditions, the ending portion (73) protrudes in upper position with respect to the cup (122). The elastic tongue (7) can elastically bend downwards in such a way that the upper surface of the ending portion (73) reaches the same level as the upper surface of the cup (122).

For illustrative purpose, six elastic tongues (7) are provided in diametrally opposite positions and spaced by an angle of 60°. Three elastic tongues (7) are aligned with the three tongues (26) of the central shank (25) of the base.

Locking teeth (72) that protrude in upper position from the cup (122) are provided on the cup (122) of the seat of the base. The locking teeth (72) are disposed peripherally. Each locking tooth (72) has a rounded shape.

Preferably, three locking teeth (72) are equally spaced by an angle of 120°. Each locking tooth (72) is angularly spaced between two elastic tongues (7). Otherwise said, an angular distance of 30° exists between the locking tooth (72) and the elastic tongues (7). A first symbol (A) and a second symbol (B) are peripherally disposed on the base plate (20). The first symbol (A) indicates an opening position and the second symbol (B) indicates a closing position. The first symbol (A) is disposed in angular position between two elastic tongues (7) without the locking tooth (72). The second symbol (B) is spaced by an angle of 60° from the first symbol (A) and is disposed in angular position in correspondence of a locking tooth (72).

With reference to Fig. 13, an annular groove (81 ) with center that coincides with the axis of the lower element (3) is obtained in the bottom wall (30) of the lower element (3). The annular groove (81 ) is disposed in such a way to receive the positioning teeth (71 ) of the elastic tongues of the base.

First seats (82A) and second seats (82B) are obtained in the bottom wall (30) of the lower element in peripheral position with respect to the annular groove (81 ). The first seats (82A) and the second seats (82B) are defined by a peripherally open "U"-shaped edge.

The second seats (82B) have a similar shape to the locking teeth (72) of the base in such a way to receive the locking teeth (72) of the base and block the motion of the lower element (3) with respect to the base (2).

The first seats (82A) are larger than the second seats (82B). In this way, when the locking teeth (72) of the base are in the second seats (82A) of the lower element, the lower element can oscillate with respect to the base by means of the spherical joint between the base and the lower element.

Three first seats (82) are equally spaced by an angle of 120° and are disposed in correspondence of the slots (32) of the central hole (31 ). Three second seats (82B) are equally spaced by an angle of 60° with respect to the first seats (82A).

With reference to Figs. 15A and 15B, a notch (T) is provided on the external surface of the lower element (3). The notch (T) can be obtained by making a longitudinal notch on the external thread (34). The notch (T) is spaced by an angle of 30° with respect to a first seat (82A) and a second seat (82B).

With reference to Fig. 15A, in order to mount the lower element (3), the notch (T) of the lower element is disposed in correspondence with the first symbol (A) of the base. In this way, the locking tooth (72) of the base is situated in the first seat (72A) of the lower element (see Fig. 17A). In such a condition the lower element (3) can oscillate with respect to the base (2).

Successively, the lower element (3) is rotated by 60° with respect to the base (2), the locking tooth (72) of the lower element comes out of the first seat

(82A) and enters the second seat (82B) (see Fig. 17B). In such a condition the lower element (3) is blocked with respect to the base (2).

The rotation of the lower element (3) on the base (2) is possible when weight is not applied on the lower element (3). In fact, as shown in Fig. 16A, in such a condition the elastic tongues (7) maintain the bottom wall (30) of the lower element in spaced position from the cup (122) of the seat of the base. In this way, the locking teeth (72) can disengage from the first seat (82A), passing beyond the edge of the first seat (82A).

On the contrary, as shown in Fig. 16B, when a weight is applied on the lower element (3), the elastic tongues (7) are lowered and the bottom wall (30) of the lower element is stopped against the cup (122) of the seat of the base.

In such a condition, the locking tooth (72) is situated in the second seat (82B) and cannot come out of the second seat (82B). Therefore the upper element is blocked with respect to the base.

With reference to Figs. 1 1 and 14, the head (52) can be a separate piece with respect to the cylindrical lateral wall (50) of the upper element (5). In such a case, the head (52) comprises a disc (152) provided with an internal annular seat (9) that is engaged by a collar or tongues (150) externally protruding from the cylindrical lateral wall (50).

Numerous variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiments of the invention, which are within the reach of an expert of the field, falling in any case within the scope of the invention.