FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stilted floor unit, particularly to a stilted floor unit which, by using connecting rods, distributes load and has increased strength and buckling resistance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 7, a conventional stilted floor has a plurality of floor units 8 set on stilts 2, which in turn are mounted on a ground floor 3. Each floor unit 8 comprises a floor plate 81 with a lower side, to which reinforcing ribs 82 are attached, and four corners with bearing elements 83, which respectively are set on four of the stilts 2 and fastened thereto by holes 84 and fixing elements 85.
Conventional floor units are buckling resistant, but load on a center thereof will still result in considerable deforming thereof. Increasing thickness of floor plates leads to higher strength, but also causes higher cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a stilted floor unit, which, by using connecting rods, spatially distributes load and has increased strength and buckling resistance.
For achieving the object, the present invention comprises a floor plate, having a lower side and four corners, four bearing elements on the lower side of the floor plate at the four corners thereof, respectively fastened to four stilts by holes and fixing elements, and connecting rods, each connecting two of the bearing elements. Thereby load on the floor plate is distributed, so that stability and buckling resistance thereof is enhanced.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stilted floor unit of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the stilted floor unit of the present invention with dismounted connecting rods.
FIG. 3 is a sectional side view from below of the stilted floor unit of the present invention, showing fixing of the connecting rods by screws.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of the stilted floor unit of the present invention in the second embodiment with two diagonal connecting rods.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below of the stilted floor unit of the present invention in the third embodiment with four diagonal connecting rods along edges.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below of the stilted floor unit of the present invention in the fourth embodiment with four diagonal connecting rods along edges and two diagonal connecting rods.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional stilted floor unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is a stilted floor unit 1, carried by a plurality of stilts 2, which are fixed to a ground gloor 3. Each of the floor units 1 comprises: a floor plate 21 with a lower side and four corners; four bearing elements 23, attached to the four corners of the floor unit 1 at the lower side thereof; and at least two connecting rods 31, each connecting two of the bearing elements 23. Thereby pressure on a center of the floor plate 21 will not result in deforming thereof. Below a detailed description is given.
For each floor unit 1, the floor plate 21 has a rectangular shape and is reinforced on the lower side thereof by a plurality of reinforcing ribs 22. The four bearing elements 23 are set on four of the stilts 2 and by holes 24 and fixing elements 25 fastened thereto. Thereby the floor plate 21 is on the four corners thereof mounted on four of the stilts 2. The at least two connecting rods 31 are parallelly arranged, running along edges of the floor unit 1.
Each of the connecting rods 31 has two ends, each carrying a thread 32, with which a nut 33 engages. Thereby each of the connecting rods 31 is fastened to two bearing elements 23.
Referring to FIG. 3, for each connecting rod 31, the nuts 33 generate a force which presses two connected bearing elements 23 together, deforming the connecting rod 31 to an arc. Thereby load on the floor plate 21 is distributed, so that stability and buckling resistance thereof are enhanced.
Referring to FIG. 4, the present invention in a second embodiment has two connecting rods 31a which each connect two diagonally opposite bearing elements 23. Load on the floor plate 21 is thereby distributed into horizontal force, so that stability and buckling resistance thereof are enhanced.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the present invention in a third and fourth embodiment has four connecting rods 31b and six connecting rods 31c, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the four connecting rods 31b run along the edges of the floor plate 21, connecting neighboring bearing elements 23. As shown in FIG. 6, the six connecting rods 31c run along the edges of the floor plate 21, connecting neighboring bearing elements 23, and diagonally, connecting two diagonally opposite bearing elements 23.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.