Fasteners for pedestal supported tiles or decking

Abstract

A fastener ( 30 ) for attaching surface tiles ( 12 ) or the like to a support pedestal ( 10 ), wherein the pedestal includes a base and a head member for directly or indirectly supporting a tile. Each tile corner comprises a triangular slot ( 24 ) for receiving the fastener ( 30 ), which is generally rhomboidal in shape, with a central slot ( 32 ) extending between two opposed corners of the fastener. A tab ( 34 ) projects from the corner of the fastener adjacent each slot ( 32 ) end. An anchoring means such as a screw, in use, is located in the slot, and screws into the head of the pedestal ( 10 ). In use, the fastener can be located in or moved out of the slots in the sides of the surface tiles and the sliding movement can be used to secure the tiles to the pedestal or to disengage a tile when removal of a tile is required.

1 . A fastener for attaching surface tiles or the like to a support pedestal, the pedestal including a base which can be located on a surface, and a head member for directly or indirectly supporting a tile, the tile defining a slot in its side for receiving the fastener, wherein the fastener is generally rhomboidal in shape and defines a central elongate slot which extends between two opposed corners of the fastener. 
     
     
         2 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a tab projects up from the fastener adjacent each end of the slot. 
     
     
         3 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 2 , including an anchoring means having a head and wherein the head of the anchoring means is wider than the width of the slot. 
     
     
         4 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 2 , including a circular recess defined in the centre of the slot for receiving the head of the anchoring means for use in locking the fastener in position in the centre of four tiles and preventing accidental movement of the fastener. 
     
     
         5 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 4 , including a generally cruciform support element for supporting the fastener the support element defining a central hole for receiving a shaft of the anchoring means. 
     
     
         6 . A raised floor including a plurality of tiles supported on a plurality of pedestals wherein the pedestals including a base which can be located on a surface, and a head member for directly or indirectly supporting a tile, wherein the tiles defining a slot in their sides for receiving a fastener, wherein the fastener which attaches the tile to the pedestal is generally rhomboidal in shape and defines a central slot which extends between two opposed corners of the fastener and wherein sliding the fastener moves the fastener into or out of the slots in the tiles to allow tiles to be lowered onto the pedestal or removed to secure the tiles to the pedestal or to disengage a tile when removal of a tile or tiles is required. 
     
     
         7 . A raised floor as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a tab projects up from the fastener adjacent each end of the slot. 
     
     
         8 . A raised floor as claimed in  claim 7 , including an anchoring means having a head and wherein the head of the anchoring means is preferably wider than the width of the central slot. 
     
     
         9 . A raised floor as claimed in  claim 7 , including a circular recess defined in the centre of the slot for receiving the head of the anchoring means for use in locking the fastener in position in the centre of four tiles and preventing accidental movement of the fastener. 
     
     
         10 . A raised floor as claimed in  claim 8 , including a paver spacer comprising four tabs arranged in a cruciform orientation provided on the top of the head, the tabs being spaced from one another and spaced from the centre of the paver spacer, the tabs locating between adjacent pavers, and including a cruciform support element which supports the fastener and locates in the centre of the paver spacer, the support element defining a central hole for receiving a shaft of the anchoring means. 
     
     
         11 . A method of securing a tile to a pedestal using a fastener wherein the fastener is generally rhomboidal in shape and defines a central elongate slot which extends between two opposed corners of the fastener, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a pedestal including a base which can be located on a surface, and a head member for directly or indirectly supporting a tile and a paver spacer located on the head;   providing a tile defining a slot in its side for receiving the fastener;   providing a support defining a central hole for receiving a shaft of the fastener;   attaching the fastener and support are attached to the top of the pedestal using the fastener with the shaft of the fastener passing through the support;   locating corners of the tiles on the top of the pedestal in between two adjacent tabs of the paver spacer; and   sliding the fastener to move it into or out of the slots in the tiles to allow tiles to be lowered onto the pedestal or removed to secure the tiles to the pedestal or to disengage a tile when removal of a tile or tiles is required.   
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a tab projects up from the fastener adjacent each end of the slot. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  including an anchoring means having a head and wherein the head of the anchoring means is wider than the width of the slot. 
     
     
         14 . A fastener as claimed in  claim 12  including a circular recess defined in the centre of the slot for receiving the head of the anchoring means for use in locking the fastener in position in the centre of four tiles and preventing accidental movement of the fastener.