Ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies

Abstract: A ventilation grille (10) for use in elevated floor assemblies comprising longitudinal ribs (12) arranged vertically and parallel to each other between a first and a second outer rib (14, 16), at least two base plates (22) transversely extending between the first and second outer ribs (14, 16) and an adjustable foot (32) fixed to each end of the base plates (22) for supporting the ventilation grille (10) on a support structure. According to an important aspect of the invention, the transverse base plates (22) include a reinforcement flange (24) extending downwardly and transversely to the ribs (12, 14, 16).

Description: The present invention generally relates to a ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies. Ventilation grilles are integrated in elevated floor assemblies as air in- or outlets. For easy integration of such ventilation grilles in elevated floors, they are generally rectangular, with a longitudinal edge having the same length than a floor panel. They comprise longitudinal ribs arranged vertically and parallel to each other between two outer ribs. Two flat base plates transversely extend on the shorter edges of the ventilation grille between the outer ribs. These base plates have an adjustable foot fixed to each their ends for supporting the ventilation grille on the support structure of the elevated floor. These height adjustment feet allow to compensate for leveling inaccuracies in the support structure. They also enable a standardized size of ventilation grille to be used in conjunction with floor panels of different thickness. In US-4825603 is shown one example of ventilation grille with vertical ribs. An important aspect of such ventilation grilles integrated in elevated floor assemblies is their ability to resist to floor travelling loads in commercial and office buildings, without important deformation or breakage. While the longitudinal ribs do provide a good longitudinal rigidity, transverse rigidity of known ventilation grilles is generally insufficient. The object of the present invention is hence to provide a ventilation grille for mounting in an elevated floor assembly, which has good longitudinal and good transverse rigidity. Such a ventilation grille is defined in claim 1. In order to overcome the abovementioned problems, the present invention provides a ventilation grille for use in elevated floor assemblies comprising longitudinal ribs arranged vertically and parallel to each other between a first and a second outer rib, at least two base plates transversely extending between the first and second outer ribs and an adjustable foot fixed to each end of the base plates for supporting the ventilation grille on a support structure. According to an important aspect of the invention, the transverse base plates include a reinforcement flange extending downwardly and transversely to the ribs. Due to their vertical arrangement, the longitudinal ribs give the ventilation grille good longitudinal rigidity. Similarly, due to its vertical arrangement, the reinforcement flange gives the ventilation grille good transversal rigidity. The ventilation grille hence has good longitudinal and transverse rigidity, thus enabling the ventilation grille to resist to floor traveling loads in commercial and office buildings, without important deformation or breakage. The base plates are advantageously made of folded sheet metal and the reinforcement flange are e.g. formed by folding one edge downwardly. This means that the base plates can be produced very cheaply. For increased rigidity, the reinforcement flange can be double-backed. At each of its ends, the base plate preferably comprises a fixing flange extending upwardly and parallel to the ribs. The fixing flange enable the base plates to be secured to the outer ribs. The adjustable feet are preferably adjustment screws, which allow an quick and easy height adjustment of the ventilation grille on the support structure of the elevated floor assembly. These adjustable feet allow to compensate for leveling inaccuracies in the support structure. They also enable a standardized size of ventilation grille to be used in conjunction with floor panels of different thickness. The present invention will be more apparent from the following description of a not limiting embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, wherein Fig.1 is a longitudinal section through a ventilation grille according to the invention; Fig.2 is a transverse section through the same ventilation grille; and Fig.3 is a perspective view of a mounting frame. Fig.1 and Fig.2 show a longitudinal, resp. transversal, side view of a ventilation grille 10. The ventilation grille is best described by referring to both these figures. Fig.2 is a cut along line A-A of Fig.1 and Fig.1 is a cut along line B-B of Fig.2. The ventilation grille 10 has several longitudinal ribs 12 including two outer ribs 14, 16. The ribs 12, 14, 16 are arranged vertically and parallel to each other and are interconnected by means of transversal rods 18. The ends of the ribs 12, 14, 16 rest on a mounting frame 20 for mounting the ventilation grille 10 on a support structure of an elevated floor assembly. The mounting frame 20 can be more clearly seen on Fig.3. It comprises a base plate 22 made of folded sheet metal. One edge of the base plate 22 is folded downwardly and forms a reinforcement flange 24. For further rigidity, the reinforcement flange 24 is double-backed. At each of its ends, the mounting frame 20 comprises a fixing flange 26 for securing the mounting frame 20 to the outer ribs 14, 16. Securing of the fixing flange 26 to an outer rib 14, 16 can be achieved by any fixing means, e.g. by a screw through a bore 28. At each end of the base plate 22, a bore 30 is arranged for receiving an adjustment screw 32. By means of the adjustment screws 32, the ventilation grille 10 can be adjusted in height on the support structure of the elevated floor assembly. Four adjustment screws 32, one in each corner of the ventilation grille 10, act as support feet for supporting the ventilation grille 10 on the support structure of the elevated floor assembly. The ribs 12, 14, 18, give the ventilation grille 10 good longitudinal rigidity due to their vertical arrangement. Good transversal rigidity is achieved by the reinforcement flange 24 of the mounting frame 20.

Claims: A ventilation grille (10) for use in elevated floor assemblies comprising: longitudinal ribs (12) arranged vertically and parallel to each other between a first and a second outer rib (14, 16); at least two base plates (22) transversely extending between said first and second outer ribs (14, 16), and an adjustable foot (32) fixed to each end of said base plates (22) for supporting said ventilation grille (10) on a support structure; characterised in that said transverse base plates (22) include a reinforcement flange (24) extending downwardly and transversely to said ribs (12, 14, 18). Ventilation grille (10) according to claim 1, wherein said base plates (22) are made of folded sheet metal, said reinforcement flange (24) being formed by folding one edge downwardly. Ventilation grille (10) according to claim 2, wherein said reinforcement flange (24) is double-backed. Ventilation grille (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said base plate (22) comprises a fixing flange (26) at each of its ends for fixing it to the outer ribs (14, 16), said fixing flanges (26) extending upwardly and parallel to said outer ribs (14, 16). Ventilation grille (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said adjustable feet (32) are adjustment screws.

Inventors: ISAAC ERIC PETER, ISAAC, ERIC PETER
Applicants: UNIFLAIR INTERNAT S A, UNIFLAIR INTERNATIONAL S.A.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F24F13
IPC codes: E04F15, F24F13