Constructive arrangement in floor finishing element

Abstract

Floor panels are secured to a sub-floor by elongated elements, one of which is secured to the floor itself and has an inverted T-shape, the other of which elements defines downwardly open socket means for receiving an arrow shaped projection on the stem portion of that T-shaped support element. A precise fit is afforded between these elements 1 and 2 so that the floor panels are locked in place by engagement between the arrow shaped projection in the support element and the socket portion of the upper retaining element. An alternative version of the disclosure shows a more secure connection between these elements.

1 . A support structure for floor panels (P, P), said support structure comprising;
 a plurality of elongated panel support elements  1 ,  1  having a cross section of inverted T-shape with upwardly facing lands for supporting a bottom surface of the panels, said T-shape including a central stem having an arrow shaped upper portion defined by depending divergent legs that terminate above said retaining element lands,   a plurality of elongated panel retaining elements  2 ,  2  having downwardly facing lands for abutting a top surface of the panels, said panel retaining elements further including downwardly open elongated socket means for receiving and retaining said arrow shaped upper portion of said support elements, said socket means more particularly defined by barbed ends  9 ,  9  provided on resiliently deformable projections  8 ,  8  in said panel retaining elements.   
   
   
       2 . The support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said retaining element is symmetrical about a vertical plane centered between said downwardly facing lands, and said socket means cooperating with said arrow shaped portion for clamping side-by-side floor panels in laterally spaced relation to one another, said lateral spacing of the panels being at least approximately equal to the lateral width of each of said retaining element lands. 
   
   
       3 . The support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said retaining element is not symmetrical about a vertical plane centered in said downwardly open socket, and said retaining element land defined on one side only of said socket means, the opposite side thereof defining an inclined ramp having a height of approximately the thickness of the panels. 
   
   
       4 . The support structure according to  claim 1  wherein support element lands have anchor screw guiding groves  7 ,  7  that are also used to align the marginal edges of the panels during assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said support elements and said retaining elements are extruded, and wherein said elements have a constant cross section throughout the lengths thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said retaining element downwardly facing lands define a slightly concave configuration that tends to flatten out when the floor panels are provided between said assembled panel support and retaining elements. 
   
   
       7 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said central stem has a secondary arrow shaped upper portion spaced below said first mentioned arrow shaped upper portion and defined by depending divergent legs that are spaced below said first mentioned depending divergent legs, and said panel retaining element having a depending flange parallel to and laterally spaced from said central stem for abutting said panel support element when these elements are assembled.