Connecting and plugging element for modular floor construction

Abstract

A connecting and plugging element for modular floor construction comprising a modular element having a substantially U-shaped cross section defined by two lateral walls connected by an arched surface, and further having two head walls each connecting the two lateral walls on opposing sides of the modular element. The connecting and plugging element is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, and the two lateral walls and one of the head walls may have free edges that extend to form an enlarged bearing base with holes for connecting to the floor base and also with couplers or relieves for connecting to reinforcing bars or to adjacent connecting and plugging elements.

1 . A system of modular floor construction comprising:
 a plurality of modular filler elements, one or more of the modular filler elements having a multi-sided shape configured for resting on a floor slab and comprising an upper side and a plurality of lateral sides, at least one of the lateral sides having an opening extending from the floor slab toward the upper side; and   a connecting and plugging element having a cross-section dimensioned to fit within the opening, the connecting an plugging element comprising,
 a modular element having a substantially U-shaped cross section comprising two lateral walls and an arched surface connecting the two lateral walls; 
 a first and a second head walls, each of the first and second head walls connecting the two lateral walls on opposing sides of the modular element; 
 an extension protruding laterally from a free edge of the first head wall, the second head wall having a free edge that is substantially extension-free; and 
 means for coupling the extension to a concrete reinforcing bar, to one of the modular filler elements, or to a second connecting and plugging element. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting and plugging element comprises three extensions, two of which protrude from the lateral walls and one of which protrudes from one of the two head walls. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the extension comprises holes for affixing the connecting and plugging element to the floor slab. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprise a hook-shaped coupler. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting and plugging element is structured to carry a load applied to the arched surface of 50 kg or more. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein an outer surface of the connecting and plugging element comprises ribs disposed at least along the arched surface. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein connecting and plugging element comprises ribs disposed on the lateral walls. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting and plugging element comprises ribs disposed on the head walls. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting and plugging element is made of a thermoplastic material. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the ribs have flattened crests. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the lateral walls and head walls are inclined in relation to the floor slab. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the lateral sides having an opening contacts the arched surface. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one of the lateral sides having an opening contacts the arched surface by extending toward to the arched surface and upward from the arched surface to form a channel shape, and wherein at least a bottom portion of the channel shape contacts the arched surface. 
   
   
       14 . An accessory for a system of modular floor construction, the system comprising:
 a plurality of modular filler elements, one or more of the modular filler elements having a multi-sided shape configured for resting on a floor slab and comprising an upper side and a plurality of lateral sides, at least one of the lateral sides having an opening extending from the floor slab toward the upper side;   the accessory comprising:
 a connecting and plugging element having a cross-section dimensioned to fit within the opening, the connecting an plugging element comprising, 
 a modular element having a substantially U-shaped cross section comprising two lateral walls and an arched surface connecting the two lateral walls; 
 a first and a second head walls, each of the first and second head walls connecting the two lateral walls on opposing sides of the modular element; 
 an extension protruding laterally from a free edge of the first head wall, the second head wall having a free edge that is substantially extension-free; and 
 means for coupling the extension to a concrete reinforcing bar, to one of the modular filler elements, or to a second connecting and plugging element. 
   
   
   
       15 . The accessory of  claim 14 , wherein the connecting and plugging element comprises three extensions, two of which protrude from the lateral walls and one of which protrudes from one of the two head walls. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the means for connecting comprise a hook-shaped coupler. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein an outer surface of the connecting and plugging element comprises ribs disposed at least along the arched surface. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein connecting and plugging element comprises ribs disposed on one or more of the lateral walls and the head walls. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the lateral sides having an opening contacts the arched surface. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one of the lateral sides having an opening contacts the arched surface by extending toward to the arched surface and upward from the arched surface to form a channel shape, and wherein at least a bottom portion of the channel shape contacts the arched surface.