Access Floor and Installation Method Therefor

Abstract

An access floor and the installation method therefor includes a plurality of basic structural units ( 1 ) usually made from a lightweight plastic material, each unit including at least one surface ( 2 ), at least one lower cavity ( 8 ) defined by the upper surface ( 2 ), at least one lower unit-supporting edge ( 3 ) in contact with the supporting floor ( 13 ) and at least one opening ( 10 ) provided in the aforementioned surface ( 2 ). A method for installing the access floor, includes the following steps: pre-positioning the pipes, assembling the units ( 1 ) and positioning the pipes in the cavities ( 8 ), forming the cavities for the pillars ( 12 ), positioning a grating ( 11 ) on the surface ( 2 ) of the units ( 1 ), sealing the openings ( 10 ) using the corresponding cover, pouring concrete ( 14 ) or another resistant material, and positioning the coating ( 15 ) and/or the final floor ( 17 ).

1 . A technical floor, comprising a plurality of basic structural units, each of these units in turn comprising:
 at least one upper surface;   at least one lower interior space defined by said upper surface;   at least one lower edge for supporting said unit on a floor on which said unit rests;   at least one cut-back portion for setting up a support pillar, formed at each corner of each of the units, so that adjacent cut-back portions of four adjacent units define a housing for a structural filling material;   the upper surfaces having upper edges adapted to be assembled with upper surfaces of corresponding adjacent units, so that each item can be fitted together with an adjacent item; and   at least one opening made in said upper surface which communicates the interior space with an exterior of said unit, said opening being surrounded by a perimeter wall.   
     
     
         2 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening surrounds a frame item with a section of the frame item decreasing towards a bottom thereof, that can be fitted into the perimeter wall. 
     
     
         3 . A technical floor, according to  claim 2 , wherein the decreasing section of the frame item decreases in steps. 
     
     
         4 . A technical floor, according to  claim 2 , wherein the decreasing section of the frame item decreases regularly. 
     
     
         5 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , wherein lateral zones of each of the cut-back portions comprise an edge which is one of:
 identical to and   different to   
       the upper edge and which is also able to fit together with one said lateral zone of the adjacent unit. 
     
     
         6 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , further comprising a grid of rods and a strength-giving material at a top of the upper surface. 
     
     
         7 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the openings comprises a protection cover which is removable. 
     
     
         8 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the openings comprises a basin for housing concrete. 
     
     
         9 . A technical floor, according to  claim 8 , wherein the basin comprises a central zone with a protuberance with a circular section in which one of:
 an extraction screw and   a hook   
       is adapted to be housed. 
     
     
         10 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , further comprising blocking pieces, each with a section essentially identical to that of the lower space in which the blocking piece is adapted to be located, and said lower space comprises a set of securing tabs for said blocking piece. 
     
     
         11 . A technical floor, according to  claim 10 , wherein the blocking piece comprises a set of pre-cut zones for allowing through tubes of different conduits. 
     
     
         12 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , further comprising a connections unit adapted to be fitted for covering the technical floor, and which comprises a connection base adapted to be secured to the technical floor, and a connections zone being a few centimetres higher than the floor itself. 
     
     
         13 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the connections zone comprises a plurality of pre-cut areas for fitting the corresponding connection bases. 
     
     
         14 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the units are combined one of:
 with one another and   with other non-opening units   
       to form a single body, and defining at least one non-perimeter space for forming pillars. 
     
     
         15 . A method for installing the technical floor according to  claim 1 , comprising the following stages:
 assembling and coupling of the units;   fitting, where applicable, conduits in the spaces,   forming hollows for receiving pillars;   fitting blocking pieces in the spaces of the units not adjacent at least one of:
 to another unit and 
 to a wall; 
   fitting a grid on the upper surface of the units;   pouring in concrete;   fitting, where applicable, at least one of:
 cladding and 
 a final floor ( 17 ); and 
   after assembling the units and before pouring the concrete performing the following steps:   fitting blocking pieces in the spaces of the units not adjacent at least one of:
 to another unit or and 
 to a wall; 
   fitting frames of inspection hatches; and   blocking the openings by one of:
 a corresponding cover and 
 basins adapted to be filled with concrete. 
   
     
     
         16 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the structural units are made of a light plastic material. 
     
     
         17 . A technical floor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper edges of the upper surfaces are provided with grooves. 
     
     
         18 . A technical floor, according to  claim 6 , wherein the strength-giving material is concrete.