Modular assembly for covering a floor

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a series of unitary support modules ( 10 ) that arc assembled to one another to form a lower flat support that can be inserted vertically between the floor and a modular upper cover comprising a series of cover elements ( 102 ) which are affixed to the upper surfaces ( 12 ) of the unitary support modules ( 10 ). The assembly is characterised in that each modular cover element ( 102 ) is affixed to the tipper surfaces of the unitary support modules ( 10 ) using securing means ( 118, 50 ) having co-operating complementary shapes and by means o f a vertical elastic interlocking arrangement.

1 . An assembly for producing a floor coating of the type comprising:
 a lower modular support structure ( 100 ) which comprises a series of unitary support modules ( 10 ) whereof each is a plate of polygonal contour which is delimited by a flat horizontal upper face ( 12 ) and which are assembled together to constitute a flat support capable of being interposed vertically between the ground and an upper coating;   a modular upper coating which comprises a series of adjacent modular coating elements ( 102 ), such as slabs or boards, which are fixed on the upper faces ( 12 ) opposite said unitary support modules ( 10 ),   characterized in that each modular coating element ( 102 ) is fixed on the upper faces of said unitary support modules ( 10 ) by fastening means ( 118 ,  50 ) cooperating with complementary forms and by snap fitting according to the vertical direction (V).   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to the previous claim, characterized in that said fastening means ( 118 ) comprise:
 at least one section of fixing rail which is formed on the lower face ( 106 ) of each modular coating element ( 102 ) and which delimits two opposite longitudinal hooking grooves ( 120 );   a series of elastically deformable hooks ( 50 ) which are formed on the upper face ( 12 ) of each modular support element ( 10 ) and which are arranged by pairs of opposite hooks, said pairs of hooks ( 50 ) being aligned longitudinally and arranged such that the two opposite hooks of a pair of hooks ( 50 ) are received respectively in the two opposite grooves ( 120 ) of a fixing rail ( 118 ) when the modular coating element ( 102 ) is fixed on the upper faces ( 12 ) opposite said unitary support modules ( 10 ).   
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to the previous claim, characterized in that, in section via a transversal vertical plane, each fixing rail ( 118 ) has a dovetail profile. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the lower face ( 106 ) of each modular coating element ( 102 ) is fitted with a series of parallel fixing rails ( 118 ) which are arranged according to a regular transversal pitch, and in that the upper face ( 12 ) of each modular support element ( 10 ) comprises several parallel series of pairs of hooks ( 50 ) aligned longitudinally and which are arranged according to the same regular transversal pitch. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to any one of  claims 2  to  4 , characterized in that each section of fixing rail ( 118 ) extends over the entire length of the modular coating element ( 102 ). 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the upper face of each unitary support module ( 10 ) is fitted with a series of positioning pins ( 60 ) which are formed in relief and which cooperate with associated positioning ribs ( 110 ,  116 ) protruding below the lower face ( 106 ) of the modular coating elements opposite. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to any one of  claims 2  to  6 , characterized in that each modular coating element ( 102 ) has a regular polygonal contour, especially rectangular, and in that each section of fixing rail ( 118 ) extends parallel to the length of its contour. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to the previous claim, characterized in that the greatest length of each modular coating element ( 102 ) is greater than the greatest length of a modular support element. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that each support module and/or each modular coating element is made in a single moulded piece, especially of plastic material.