Systems for recessing subfloor structures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11142905-B2
Application number	US-201916507421-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 10, 2019
Priority date	Jul 11, 2018
Publication date	Oct 12, 2021
Grant date	Oct 12, 2021

Abstract

A method is provided for supporting a recessed subfloor panel in a lowered position relative to an adjacent, primary subfloor, the primary subfloor being supported from beneath by one or more floor supports. The method includes positioning a spanning brace between a pair of floor supports and adjusting a length of the spanning brace such that the spanning brace engages and is supported by lateral, vertical sides of the pair of floor supports. A recessed subfloor panel is supported atop the spanning brace, the recessed subfloor panel being supported at a lower elevation than an adjacent, primary subfloor.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method for supporting a recessed subfloor panel in a lowered position relative to an adjacent, primary subfloor, the primary subfloor including an overhanging portion extending over and being supported from beneath by one or more floor supports defining a bay therebetween, the method comprising:
positioning a spanning brace within a bay between a pair of floor supports with a first end of the spanning brace positioned beneath and at least partially overhung by an overhanging portion of the primary subfloor;
adjusting a length of the spanning brace at an opposing end of the spanning brace such that the spanning brace engages and is supported by lateral, vertical sides of the pair of floor supports; and
supporting the overhanging portion of the primary subfloor atop and spaced at least a thickness of the recessed subfloor panel from the spanning brace;
supporting a recessed subfloor panel atop the spanning brace, the recessed subfloor panel being supported at a lower elevation than the adjacent, primary subfloor.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the recessed subfloor panel includes a width equal to or less than a span distance between the lateral, vertical sides of the pair of floor supports.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one lateral brace carried by a side of at least one of the pair of floor supports, and wherein engaging the vertical sides of the floor supports includes engaging the lateral brace with an end of the spanning brace.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein engaging the vertical sides of the pair of floor supports includes engaging at least one floor support with cleats carried by an end of the spanning brace.

5. A flooring installation, comprising:
at least two floor supports separated from one another by a span distance, the at least two floor supports each having lateral, vertical side walls between which an opening is defined;
a bay, defined between the at least two floor supports;
a primary subfloor, supported atop and attached to one of the at least two floor supports, the primary subfloor including an overhanging portion overhanging a portion of the bay;
a lengthwise-adjustable spanning brace disposed between the at least two floor supports in the bay, the spanning brace engaging on opposing ends the lateral, vertical side walls of the floor supports, one end of the spanning brace extending beneath and spaced from the overhanging portion of the primary subfloor and an opposing end of the spanning brace being adjustable in length; and
a recessed subfloor panel supported atop the spanning brace, the recessed subfloor panel being supported at a lower elevation than the overhanging portion of the adjacent, primary subfloor.

6. The installation of claim 5 , further comprising one or more endcaps interchangeably coupleable to the ends of the spanning brace.

7. The installation of claim 6 , further comprising one or more lateral braces coupleable to the lateral, vertical sides of the floor supports, the lateral braces cooperating with ends of the spanning brace to secure the spanning brace relative to the floor supports.

8. The installation of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the endcaps includes a series of cleats operable to engage the sides of the floor supports.

9. The installation of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the endcaps includes a support block operable to be received within a receiving opening formed in one of the lateral braces.

Assignees

• Schluter Systems Lp
• Schuter Systems L P

Inventors

• Kelly Lyle James
• Price Joshua Michael
• Daffer John Christopher

Classifications

• E04C2003/026

  Braces · CPC title

• A47K3/405 Primary

  flush with the surrounding floor, e.g. for easy access · CPC title

• E04B5/02 Primary

  Load-carrying floor structures formed substantially of prefabricated units (E04B5/43 - E04B5/48 take precedence) · CPC title

• E04B5/12

  with wooden beams (E04B5/14 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E04B5/046

  with beams placed with distance from another · CPC title