CA2009061C - Floor structures particularly suitable for rooms with data processing equipment - Google Patents
Floor structures particularly suitable for rooms with data processing equipmentInfo
- Publication number
- CA2009061C CA2009061C CA002009061A CA2009061A CA2009061C CA 2009061 C CA2009061 C CA 2009061C CA 002009061 A CA002009061 A CA 002009061A CA 2009061 A CA2009061 A CA 2009061A CA 2009061 C CA2009061 C CA 2009061C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- base plate
- stand
- offs
- flooring system
- floor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/28—Installations of cables, lines, or separate protective tubing therefor in conduits or ducts pre-established in walls, ceilings or floors
- H02G3/283—Installations of cables, lines, or separate protective tubing therefor in conduits or ducts pre-established in walls, ceilings or floors in floors
- H02G3/285—Installations of cables, lines, or separate protective tubing therefor in conduits or ducts pre-established in walls, ceilings or floors in floors in modular floors, e.g. access floors
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
- E04F15/02194—Flooring consisting of a number of elements carried by a non-rollable common support plate or grid
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
- E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
- E04F15/02405—Floor panels
- E04F15/02411—Floor panels with integrated feet
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
- E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
- E04F15/02447—Supporting structures
- E04F15/02452—Details of junctions between the supporting structures and the panels or a panel-supporting framework
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F15/00—Flooring
- E04F15/02—Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements
- E04F15/024—Sectional false floors, e.g. computer floors
- E04F15/02447—Supporting structures
- E04F15/02494—Supporting structures with a plurality of base plates or like, each base plate having a plurality of pedestals upstanding therefrom to receive the floor panels
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Floor Finish (AREA)
- Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
- Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
- Building Environments (AREA)
Abstract
A floor structure for rooms housing data processing equipment having a raised false floor comprising removable tiles laid side by side over a series of supports in order to afford clearance for the routing of cables, wires, hoses or equivalent connections between the various parts of the equipment within the facility, wherein this structure is comprised of base plates 1 laid side by side on the existing floor 2 and carrying on their upper surface a certain number of stand-offs 3 which form the supporting structure, are fixed upon the base plates and are so distributed upon the plates as to form a network of channels 5 where the cables, wires, hoses or equivalent can be routed, and as to simultaneously form at their top plans 6 a fairly tight pattern of load bearing points for the floor tiles 4, wherein the base plates 1 and the stand-offs 3 are manufactured separately and can be assembled together.
Description
FLOOR STRUCTURES PARTICULARLY SUITABLE
FOR ROOMS WITH DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
The invention encompasses a flooring system especially designed for facilities which house data processing equipment such as data processing centers~
co~.puter roo~ls~ offices whereby there is a false floor raised above the existing floor; this false floor is comprised of removable panels laid side by side upon raised support members in order to afford a freè space where cables, hoses, wires and other computer interconnections can be routed.
Existing false flooring systems use adjustable jacks at each panel corner as a means of support.
These existing systems have considerable flaws.
As the supporting jacks are only located at the corners of the panels which are usually square shaped with sides of 500 to 600mm, rigidity and mechanical stability of the floor must be achieved through the use of very thick panels, usually 30 to 40mm with, sometimes, the adjunction of a framework which transfers the load to the jacks. Due to the loss of usable height, these types of false flooring require an overall height of 150 to 200mm, which is incompatible with low ceilings in existing buildings and requires new facilities to be built with added height. As an exa~ple~ if one considers a 200mm false floor at each level of a 30 storey building, the additional required height becomes 6 metres, the equivalent of two stor1es.
Installing such a false floor in existing buildings requires the construction of ramps and steps as well as fire and soundproofing barriers. Finally such structures are sometimes noisy and act as resonators.
In any event, installing existing false floors either as part of a building renovation or in new construction, is both involved and costly.
The aim of the present invention is to offer a false flooring system which has none of the above mentioned drawbacks.
To achieve this aim, a flooring system according to the invention is characterized by the inclusion of base plates laid side by side on the existing floor, with each base plate having on its top surface a fairly dense pattern of built-in stand-offs to serve as the load support for the tiles of the false floor while at the same time for.ming a network of channels where cables, hoses and similar connections can be routed.
One of the advantages of the invention, is the fact that each of the stand-offs has on its top surface the elements of the interlocking system for the removable - floor tiles which themselves have complementary elements built-in on their bottom surface.
In another aspect of the invention, the interlocking elements of a supporting stand-off are formed by a cruciform pattern of grooves while those on the underside of the floor tile are a complementary 20~9061 pattern formed by the bottom lip running around its perimeter; the grooves on the stand-offs are twice the thickness of the bottom lip of the floor tile in order to receive two adjacent tiles while also permitting the corners of four adjacent tiles to be interlocked;
similarly, the built-in stand-offs on the bottom base plates are so aligned as to allow for the juxtaposition of both rectangular and square floor tiles with their underside resting on the inner stand-offs.
Another aspect is the fact that the base plates are rnade of a rnaterial sufficiently flexible, plastic, sheet steel, to guarantee full contact with the exicting substrate, the base plates and their stand-offs can be made in one piece or as discrete parts.
Still another aspect of the invention is that the false floor's tiles are to be made of a rigid yet sufficiently supple material in order to bear fully on 2~QgO6~
all the stand-offs even if the substrate is somewhat uneven.
The invention will be better understood, and its aims, aspects, details and advantages will appear more clearly in the following description with reference to the diagrams appearing in the appendix whose sole purpose are illustrative, showing two different mode~ of manufacturing the invention and in which:
- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective of a first method of installation of a false floor according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective in a larger scale~ showing a detail of Figure l;
- Figure 3 is a top view of part of the flooring system shown in Figure l;
- Figure 4 is a cross-section along line IV-IV of Fig. l;
- Figure 5 shows an alternate construction method for the base plate in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 7~ of a stand-off for the alternate construction ~ethod shown in Fig. 5:
- Figure 7 is a top view of the stand-off shown in Fig. 6;
- Figure 8 is a side view of a web with an electrical iunction block which can be installed in the wiring channels as shown in Figs. 5 to 7; and - Figure 9 is a front view of a web as shown in Fig. 8, prior to the installation of a junction block.
Figures 1 through 4, which show one type of construction for the false flooring system according to this invention, demonstrate how the system is comprised of base plates (1) which are laid side by side upon the substrate or existing floor (2~ and carry the stand-offs (3) upon their top surface which in turn receive the floor tiles (4) which must bear the weight of the rnachines and equipment as well as that of the personnel.
Each bace plate (1) carries a number of built-in stand-offs (3) regularly spaced on its top surface, thus forming a network of channels (5) where cables, wire.
hoses, interconnections, compressed air lines, power lines, phone lines, water pipes can be routed. Locating the stand-offs ~3) in parallel rows along the edges of the base plates, which ideally are square, forms a series of parallel channels, perpendicular to each other. The arrangement of the stand-offs (3) is identical for all base plates and is such that the ~oa306l rows of stand-offs ~3) and the channels (~) thus for~ed on the various adjacent base plates are all in axial align~ent.
As shown in Figure 2, the top plane (6) where the floor tiles (4) are supported has a configuration of crucifor~i grooves (7). According to Figures 2 and 4, the floor tiles (4). also square shaped, have a continuous lip (5) around their bottol.. peri~:eter. This lip is perpendicular to the plane of the tile, and is designed to engage the grooves (7) cut into the stand-offs.
Each groove (7) is at least slightly wider than twice the thickness of the floor tile lip (5) and its depth is at least equal to that of the vertical inner side of the lip. As shown in the figures. all the grooves (7~ of a row of stand-offs ~3) are in alignment.
The length of one side of the floor tile (4) is a multiple of the center to center distance (a) of the two axis of the grooves (7~ of the two adjacent stand-offs (3). Offset (b) of the median long axis of the groove (7) of a stand-off belonging to a row adjacent to the edge of a base plate is exactly half of distance (a).
This permits a floor tile (4) to fit into the stand-offs (3) of adjacent base plates (1) and to still interlock via its bottom lip (9! and grooves (7`) while its under surface (10) rests upon the plane (6) of the stand-offs.
Given their aforementioned dimensions, each groove (7) can receive the lips (9) of the two coinciding floor tiles (4).
The cruciform configuration of the grooves (7) enables four adjacent floor tiles to be engaged~ thus positively interlocking the four tiles at their corners.
Alternatively, the width of the grooves (7) could have a sli~ht downward taper or even an undercut with a corresponding swell of the lip (9) of the floor tile and thus afford a friction or ~nap action fit.
`- 2009061 1~ -- .
In the first fabrication mode, the base plates (1) and their stand-offs (3~ are a one piece construction, formed by heat forming or injection moulding of a plastic compound such as polystvrene, polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS. Alternatively they could easily be stamped from sheet metal.
Generally, the base plates can be ~ade of anv material which. without being soft~ can conform to the possible irregularities of the subctrate (2). It would be advantageous to build the base plates in such a way as to obtain hollow stand-offs.
As regards the floor tiles (4), they must be made of a rigid material and yet allow for possible variations in the plane (6) formed by the tops of the stand-offs while yielding~ when butted, a rigid and strong floor. The floor tiles (4) could to advantage be made of sheet metal, perhaps galvanized steel, or any ~0~061 other appropriate material. As shown in Figure 4, these tiles could be finished, on their top surface, with carpeting (12) while their underside (10) could be lined with fireproofing and soundproofing layers (13~.
Figures 5 through 7 show a second r,ode of construction whereby the base plates (1) and stand-offs (3) are separate modular pieceC. In this version. the plates (1) are replaced bv an overlay made of PV~ thin galvanized sheet or any other suitable material, where the stand-offs (3) of the first version are replaced by a matrix of circular holes 115) with diaretricall~
opposed keywavs (15). As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the stand-offs 13) are truncated cones, sir.ilar to those of the first r.ode. They retain the cruciforr. groove (7) of the former. However, the base diameter of the cone is slightly smaller than the holes (15) of the matrix.
This base has two pairs of axially offset and diametrically opposed tabs (17) and (18). The lower 2~0~9~61 tabs (18~ or lock tabs, contrary to the upper tabs (17) are so dimensioned as to fit through the keyways (1~) of the base plate.
The stand-offs (3~ can thus be mounted to a base plate bY placing them so that the lock tabs (18~ fit through the keywavs (1~) while the upper tabs (17) keep the~. from falling through. The distance between the upper and lower tabs is more than the thickness of the plate and thus the stand-offs can be locked into position by givinO them a 90 degree twist.
It must be noted that the stand-offs are equipped with radial projections (21~ and (22) along the vertical axis of the cone. These provide a vertical axial slot (23) in which partitions and jambs can be inserted for closing off sections of the false floor.
As shown on Figures 8 and 9, the axial slots (23) can also be used to receive a web (25) which bears an electrical outlet. As such, the web (25) is pierced by a hole (26) to allow the installation of an electrical junction block (27). On one side, the plate (25) is provided with wire connectors, while on the other side the junction block (27) terminates in a standard electrical outlet (29~. The junction block (27~ can be attached to the web (25) with a nut (30) on each side or be any other available means.
The flooring structure according to the invention also allows for the fitting of separators anywhere in the wiring channel matrix. These separators are formed by a series of filler-blocks (32) fitted in rows between lS the stand-offs as shown in Figure 1. These filler-blocks (32) should ideally be made of an acoustically and thermally insulating material. Each corner of these filler-blocks is indented (33) to complement the profile , ~0090~1 of four diagonally opposed stand-offs (3). So configured, these filler-blocks can be installed in the channels in such a way as to form a continuous wall.
Such walls can be used with the system represented by Figures 1 to 4 as well as with that shown in Figures 5 to 7. Such partitioning can yield a high degree of thermal as well as acoustic insulation.
The stand-offs can be made of any material but injection moulded ABS would be advantageous.
As an example, a base plate built according to the invention would ideally be square, 500mm on a side with a matrix of 16 stand-offs. Each stand-off has a base diameter of 50mm and an upper diameter of 40mm. Groove (7) width is 10mm with a depth of 7mm. The height of the stand-offs varies with the application.
Obviously, the number of stand-offs and the base plate size can vary as a function of the application.
In general. many modifications can be brought to the above-described structure. Thus the shape of the stand-offs can be different from the description and the means of interlocking the floor tiles can vary widely without leaving the scope of this invention.
It is, however. essential that each base plate~
through its nu.iber of ctand-offs and their configuration, provide multiple load bearillg areas for each floor tile in such a way that the said floor tile can be made of thin material. Therefore, and contrary to existing false floor syste~s, there is practically no loss in usable ceiling height due to the thickness of the structure. The false floor system described in this invention has the further advantage of easy installation while maintaining easy access to any part of the under floor equipment. Moreover, due to the multitude of bearing areas, it is easy to accommodate inspection hatches where necessary.
FOR ROOMS WITH DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
The invention encompasses a flooring system especially designed for facilities which house data processing equipment such as data processing centers~
co~.puter roo~ls~ offices whereby there is a false floor raised above the existing floor; this false floor is comprised of removable panels laid side by side upon raised support members in order to afford a freè space where cables, hoses, wires and other computer interconnections can be routed.
Existing false flooring systems use adjustable jacks at each panel corner as a means of support.
These existing systems have considerable flaws.
As the supporting jacks are only located at the corners of the panels which are usually square shaped with sides of 500 to 600mm, rigidity and mechanical stability of the floor must be achieved through the use of very thick panels, usually 30 to 40mm with, sometimes, the adjunction of a framework which transfers the load to the jacks. Due to the loss of usable height, these types of false flooring require an overall height of 150 to 200mm, which is incompatible with low ceilings in existing buildings and requires new facilities to be built with added height. As an exa~ple~ if one considers a 200mm false floor at each level of a 30 storey building, the additional required height becomes 6 metres, the equivalent of two stor1es.
Installing such a false floor in existing buildings requires the construction of ramps and steps as well as fire and soundproofing barriers. Finally such structures are sometimes noisy and act as resonators.
In any event, installing existing false floors either as part of a building renovation or in new construction, is both involved and costly.
The aim of the present invention is to offer a false flooring system which has none of the above mentioned drawbacks.
To achieve this aim, a flooring system according to the invention is characterized by the inclusion of base plates laid side by side on the existing floor, with each base plate having on its top surface a fairly dense pattern of built-in stand-offs to serve as the load support for the tiles of the false floor while at the same time for.ming a network of channels where cables, hoses and similar connections can be routed.
One of the advantages of the invention, is the fact that each of the stand-offs has on its top surface the elements of the interlocking system for the removable - floor tiles which themselves have complementary elements built-in on their bottom surface.
In another aspect of the invention, the interlocking elements of a supporting stand-off are formed by a cruciform pattern of grooves while those on the underside of the floor tile are a complementary 20~9061 pattern formed by the bottom lip running around its perimeter; the grooves on the stand-offs are twice the thickness of the bottom lip of the floor tile in order to receive two adjacent tiles while also permitting the corners of four adjacent tiles to be interlocked;
similarly, the built-in stand-offs on the bottom base plates are so aligned as to allow for the juxtaposition of both rectangular and square floor tiles with their underside resting on the inner stand-offs.
Another aspect is the fact that the base plates are rnade of a rnaterial sufficiently flexible, plastic, sheet steel, to guarantee full contact with the exicting substrate, the base plates and their stand-offs can be made in one piece or as discrete parts.
Still another aspect of the invention is that the false floor's tiles are to be made of a rigid yet sufficiently supple material in order to bear fully on 2~QgO6~
all the stand-offs even if the substrate is somewhat uneven.
The invention will be better understood, and its aims, aspects, details and advantages will appear more clearly in the following description with reference to the diagrams appearing in the appendix whose sole purpose are illustrative, showing two different mode~ of manufacturing the invention and in which:
- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective of a first method of installation of a false floor according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective in a larger scale~ showing a detail of Figure l;
- Figure 3 is a top view of part of the flooring system shown in Figure l;
- Figure 4 is a cross-section along line IV-IV of Fig. l;
- Figure 5 shows an alternate construction method for the base plate in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 7~ of a stand-off for the alternate construction ~ethod shown in Fig. 5:
- Figure 7 is a top view of the stand-off shown in Fig. 6;
- Figure 8 is a side view of a web with an electrical iunction block which can be installed in the wiring channels as shown in Figs. 5 to 7; and - Figure 9 is a front view of a web as shown in Fig. 8, prior to the installation of a junction block.
Figures 1 through 4, which show one type of construction for the false flooring system according to this invention, demonstrate how the system is comprised of base plates (1) which are laid side by side upon the substrate or existing floor (2~ and carry the stand-offs (3) upon their top surface which in turn receive the floor tiles (4) which must bear the weight of the rnachines and equipment as well as that of the personnel.
Each bace plate (1) carries a number of built-in stand-offs (3) regularly spaced on its top surface, thus forming a network of channels (5) where cables, wire.
hoses, interconnections, compressed air lines, power lines, phone lines, water pipes can be routed. Locating the stand-offs ~3) in parallel rows along the edges of the base plates, which ideally are square, forms a series of parallel channels, perpendicular to each other. The arrangement of the stand-offs (3) is identical for all base plates and is such that the ~oa306l rows of stand-offs ~3) and the channels (~) thus for~ed on the various adjacent base plates are all in axial align~ent.
As shown in Figure 2, the top plane (6) where the floor tiles (4) are supported has a configuration of crucifor~i grooves (7). According to Figures 2 and 4, the floor tiles (4). also square shaped, have a continuous lip (5) around their bottol.. peri~:eter. This lip is perpendicular to the plane of the tile, and is designed to engage the grooves (7) cut into the stand-offs.
Each groove (7) is at least slightly wider than twice the thickness of the floor tile lip (5) and its depth is at least equal to that of the vertical inner side of the lip. As shown in the figures. all the grooves (7~ of a row of stand-offs ~3) are in alignment.
The length of one side of the floor tile (4) is a multiple of the center to center distance (a) of the two axis of the grooves (7~ of the two adjacent stand-offs (3). Offset (b) of the median long axis of the groove (7) of a stand-off belonging to a row adjacent to the edge of a base plate is exactly half of distance (a).
This permits a floor tile (4) to fit into the stand-offs (3) of adjacent base plates (1) and to still interlock via its bottom lip (9! and grooves (7`) while its under surface (10) rests upon the plane (6) of the stand-offs.
Given their aforementioned dimensions, each groove (7) can receive the lips (9) of the two coinciding floor tiles (4).
The cruciform configuration of the grooves (7) enables four adjacent floor tiles to be engaged~ thus positively interlocking the four tiles at their corners.
Alternatively, the width of the grooves (7) could have a sli~ht downward taper or even an undercut with a corresponding swell of the lip (9) of the floor tile and thus afford a friction or ~nap action fit.
`- 2009061 1~ -- .
In the first fabrication mode, the base plates (1) and their stand-offs (3~ are a one piece construction, formed by heat forming or injection moulding of a plastic compound such as polystvrene, polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS. Alternatively they could easily be stamped from sheet metal.
Generally, the base plates can be ~ade of anv material which. without being soft~ can conform to the possible irregularities of the subctrate (2). It would be advantageous to build the base plates in such a way as to obtain hollow stand-offs.
As regards the floor tiles (4), they must be made of a rigid material and yet allow for possible variations in the plane (6) formed by the tops of the stand-offs while yielding~ when butted, a rigid and strong floor. The floor tiles (4) could to advantage be made of sheet metal, perhaps galvanized steel, or any ~0~061 other appropriate material. As shown in Figure 4, these tiles could be finished, on their top surface, with carpeting (12) while their underside (10) could be lined with fireproofing and soundproofing layers (13~.
Figures 5 through 7 show a second r,ode of construction whereby the base plates (1) and stand-offs (3) are separate modular pieceC. In this version. the plates (1) are replaced bv an overlay made of PV~ thin galvanized sheet or any other suitable material, where the stand-offs (3) of the first version are replaced by a matrix of circular holes 115) with diaretricall~
opposed keywavs (15). As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the stand-offs 13) are truncated cones, sir.ilar to those of the first r.ode. They retain the cruciforr. groove (7) of the former. However, the base diameter of the cone is slightly smaller than the holes (15) of the matrix.
This base has two pairs of axially offset and diametrically opposed tabs (17) and (18). The lower 2~0~9~61 tabs (18~ or lock tabs, contrary to the upper tabs (17) are so dimensioned as to fit through the keyways (1~) of the base plate.
The stand-offs (3~ can thus be mounted to a base plate bY placing them so that the lock tabs (18~ fit through the keywavs (1~) while the upper tabs (17) keep the~. from falling through. The distance between the upper and lower tabs is more than the thickness of the plate and thus the stand-offs can be locked into position by givinO them a 90 degree twist.
It must be noted that the stand-offs are equipped with radial projections (21~ and (22) along the vertical axis of the cone. These provide a vertical axial slot (23) in which partitions and jambs can be inserted for closing off sections of the false floor.
As shown on Figures 8 and 9, the axial slots (23) can also be used to receive a web (25) which bears an electrical outlet. As such, the web (25) is pierced by a hole (26) to allow the installation of an electrical junction block (27). On one side, the plate (25) is provided with wire connectors, while on the other side the junction block (27) terminates in a standard electrical outlet (29~. The junction block (27~ can be attached to the web (25) with a nut (30) on each side or be any other available means.
The flooring structure according to the invention also allows for the fitting of separators anywhere in the wiring channel matrix. These separators are formed by a series of filler-blocks (32) fitted in rows between lS the stand-offs as shown in Figure 1. These filler-blocks (32) should ideally be made of an acoustically and thermally insulating material. Each corner of these filler-blocks is indented (33) to complement the profile , ~0090~1 of four diagonally opposed stand-offs (3). So configured, these filler-blocks can be installed in the channels in such a way as to form a continuous wall.
Such walls can be used with the system represented by Figures 1 to 4 as well as with that shown in Figures 5 to 7. Such partitioning can yield a high degree of thermal as well as acoustic insulation.
The stand-offs can be made of any material but injection moulded ABS would be advantageous.
As an example, a base plate built according to the invention would ideally be square, 500mm on a side with a matrix of 16 stand-offs. Each stand-off has a base diameter of 50mm and an upper diameter of 40mm. Groove (7) width is 10mm with a depth of 7mm. The height of the stand-offs varies with the application.
Obviously, the number of stand-offs and the base plate size can vary as a function of the application.
In general. many modifications can be brought to the above-described structure. Thus the shape of the stand-offs can be different from the description and the means of interlocking the floor tiles can vary widely without leaving the scope of this invention.
It is, however. essential that each base plate~
through its nu.iber of ctand-offs and their configuration, provide multiple load bearillg areas for each floor tile in such a way that the said floor tile can be made of thin material. Therefore, and contrary to existing false floor syste~s, there is practically no loss in usable ceiling height due to the thickness of the structure. The false floor system described in this invention has the further advantage of easy installation while maintaining easy access to any part of the under floor equipment. Moreover, due to the multitude of bearing areas, it is easy to accommodate inspection hatches where necessary.
Claims (42)
1. Floor structure comprising:
a base plate having a plurality of apertures;
each of said base plate apertures including at least one keyway;
a floor tile having an interlocking element;
a plurality of load bearing stand-offs for insertion through said base plate apertures, said stand-offs being removably secured to said base plate to support said floor tile in spaced relation to said base plate;
said stand-offs forming a plurality of channels beneath said floor tile;
said stand-offs including means for removably engaging said floor tile locking element of removably interlocking said base plate to said floor tile; and each of said stand-offs having a base portion including at least one radially located locking tab formed to pass through said base plate aperture keyways such that upon insertion of said stand-offs through said base plate apertures said stand-offs are removably secured to said base plate.
a base plate having a plurality of apertures;
each of said base plate apertures including at least one keyway;
a floor tile having an interlocking element;
a plurality of load bearing stand-offs for insertion through said base plate apertures, said stand-offs being removably secured to said base plate to support said floor tile in spaced relation to said base plate;
said stand-offs forming a plurality of channels beneath said floor tile;
said stand-offs including means for removably engaging said floor tile locking element of removably interlocking said base plate to said floor tile; and each of said stand-offs having a base portion including at least one radially located locking tab formed to pass through said base plate aperture keyways such that upon insertion of said stand-offs through said base plate apertures said stand-offs are removably secured to said base plate.
2. Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said base plate is formed of a flexible material such that the bottom surface of said base plate substantially conforms to variations in the surface of an existing floor.
3. Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said base plate is formed of plastic.
4. Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said base plate is formed of sheet steel.
5. Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said floor tile is formed of a rigid material with sufficient flexibility to allow the bottom surface of said floor tile to be in contacting relation with substantially all stand-off top surfaces.
6. Floor structure according to claim 1 further including a floor tile covering layer.
7. Floor structure according to claim 1 further including a sound proofing layer.
8. Floor structure according to claim 1 further including a fire proofing layer.
9. Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein each said stand-off is placed in locked engagement with said base plate by rotation of said stand-off about its vertical axis such that said stand-off locking tab is slidably secured against the bottom surface of said base plate.
10. Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said stand-off base portion further includes at least one second radially located tab in axial alignment with and separated from said locking tab, said second tab forming a depth stop to limit axial movement of said stand-off through said base plate aperture.
11. Floor structure according to claim 10 wherein said the distance separating said stand-off locking tab and second tab slightly exceeds the thickness of said base plate.
12. Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein each said stand-off has side portions including axial slots.
13. Floor structure according to claim 12 wherein said axial slots are formed by two parallel radial projections.
14. Floor structure according to claim 12 further including webs mounted upon said stand-off axial slots, said webs including means for removably attaching an electrical junction block.
15. Floor structure according to claim 12 further including filler blocks removably mounted upon said stand-off axial slots, said filler blocks forming a continuous separating wall between adjacent stand-offs.
16. A flooring system comprising:
(a) a removable floor panel having a top surface and a bottom surface having a first interlocking element; and (b) a support member comprising a base plate and a plurality of hollow stand-offs, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the removable floor panel, wherein the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs includes a second interlocking element for engaging the first interlocking element of the removable floor panel.
(a) a removable floor panel having a top surface and a bottom surface having a first interlocking element; and (b) a support member comprising a base plate and a plurality of hollow stand-offs, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the removable floor panel, wherein the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs includes a second interlocking element for engaging the first interlocking element of the removable floor panel.
17. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs comprises a hollow truncated cone.
18. The flooring system according to claim 167 wherein at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs integrally formed with the base plate.
19. The flooring system according to claim 17, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of hollow stand-offs is greatest at that portion of each hollow stand-off adjacent the base plate.
20. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein the second interlocking element comprises a cruciform groove structure arranged to engage the first interlocking element of the removable floor panel and thereby resist movement of the removable floor panel relative to the base plate.
21. A flooring system according to claim 16 in which:
(a) the first interlocking element is a lip having a thickness;
(b) the stand-off including the second interlocking element defines an upper diameter greater than 40 mm; and (c) the second interlocking element comprises a groove having a width at least one-fourth the upper diameter and at least twice the thickness of the lip.
(a) the first interlocking element is a lip having a thickness;
(b) the stand-off including the second interlocking element defines an upper diameter greater than 40 mm; and (c) the second interlocking element comprises a groove having a width at least one-fourth the upper diameter and at least twice the thickness of the lip.
22. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein the top surface of at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs abuts the bottom surface of the removable floor panel.
23. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein the base plate is formed of a flexible material such that the bottom surface of the base plate substantially conforms to variations in the surface of an existing floor.
24. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the base plate and the plurality of hollow stand-offs is formed of plastic.
25. The flooring system according to claim 24, wherein said plastic consists of a plastic from the following group: polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS.
26. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein the removable floor panel is formed of a rigid material with sufficient flexibility to allow the bottom surface of the removable floor panel to be in contacting relation with the top surfaces of substantially all of the plurality of hollow stand-offs.
27. The flooring system according to claim 16, further comprising a floor tile covering layer.
28. A flooring system adapted to support a removable floor panel, the flooring system comprising:
(a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the removable floor panel, wherein the floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element included in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs.
(a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the removable floor panel, wherein the floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element included in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs.
29. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs comprises a hollow truncated cone.
30. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs is integrally formed with the base plate.
31. The flooring system according to claim 29, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of hollow stand-offs is greatest at that portion of each hollow stand-off adjacent the base plate.
32. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein the second interlocking element comprises a cruciform groove structure arranged to engage the first interlocking element of the removable floor panel and thereby resist movement of the removable floor panel relative to the base plate.
33. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein the top surface of at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs abuts the bottom surface of the removable floor panel.
34. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein the base plate is formed of a flexible material such that the bottom surface of the base plate substantially conforms to variations in the surface of an existing floor.
35. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the base plate and the plurality of hollow stand-offs is formed of plastic.
36. The flooring system according to claim 35, wherein said plastic consists of a plastic from the following group: polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS.
37. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein the removable floor panel is formed of a rigid material with sufficient flexibility to allow the bottom surface of the removable floor panel to be in contacting relation with the top surfaces of substantially all of the plurality of hollow stand-offs.
38. The flooring system according to claim 28, further comprising a floor tile covering layer.
39. A flooring system comprising:
(a) a floor panel having a first interlocking element;
(b) a first support member comprising:
(i) a first base plate having an edge; and (ii) a first stand-off extending from the first base plate and having a top surface, which top surface includes a groove, symmetric about a first axis parallel to the edge of the first base plate, for engaging the first interlocking element of the floor panel; and (c) a second support member adapted to be positioned adjacent the first support member, comprising:
(i) a second base plate having an edge adapted to abut the edge of the first base plate, and (ii) a second stand-off extending from the second base plate and having a top surface, which top surface includes a groove, symmetric about a second axis parallel to the edge of the second base plate, for engaging the first interlocking element of the floor panel, and in which the distance from the first axis to the second axis is (1) twice the distance from the first axis to the edge of the first base plate and (2) twice the distance from the second axis to the edge of the second base plate when the edge of the second base plate abuts the edge of the first base plate.
(a) a floor panel having a first interlocking element;
(b) a first support member comprising:
(i) a first base plate having an edge; and (ii) a first stand-off extending from the first base plate and having a top surface, which top surface includes a groove, symmetric about a first axis parallel to the edge of the first base plate, for engaging the first interlocking element of the floor panel; and (c) a second support member adapted to be positioned adjacent the first support member, comprising:
(i) a second base plate having an edge adapted to abut the edge of the first base plate, and (ii) a second stand-off extending from the second base plate and having a top surface, which top surface includes a groove, symmetric about a second axis parallel to the edge of the second base plate, for engaging the first interlocking element of the floor panel, and in which the distance from the first axis to the second axis is (1) twice the distance from the first axis to the edge of the first base plate and (2) twice the distance from the second axis to the edge of the second base plate when the edge of the second base plate abuts the edge of the first base plate.
40. The flooring system according to claim 28 in which the top surface of at least one stand-off spans that stand-off.
41. A flooring system adapted to support a floor panel, the flooring system comprising:
(a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs shaped as truncated cones, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the floor panel, wherein the floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element included in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs.
(a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs shaped as truncated cones, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the floor panel, wherein the floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element included in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs.
42. A flooring system adapted to support a floor panel, the flooring system comprising:
(a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs at least one of which is integrally formed with the base plate, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the floor panel, wherein the floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element including in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs.
(a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs at least one of which is integrally formed with the base plate, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the floor panel, wherein the floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element including in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR8901419A FR2642782B1 (en) | 1989-02-03 | 1989-02-03 | FLOOR STRUCTURE, IN PARTICULAR FOR PREMISES PROVIDED WITH COMPUTER EQUIPMENT |
| FR8901419 | 1989-02-03 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2009061A1 CA2009061A1 (en) | 1990-08-03 |
| CA2009061C true CA2009061C (en) | 1997-03-25 |
Family
ID=9378461
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002009061A Expired - Fee Related CA2009061C (en) | 1989-02-03 | 1990-01-31 | Floor structures particularly suitable for rooms with data processing equipment |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0381571B1 (en) |
| JP (2) | JP3035311B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE84103T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2009061C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69000666T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0381571T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2038495T3 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2642782B1 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR3007488T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04343969A (en) * | 1991-05-17 | 1992-11-30 | Oyo Kikaku:Kk | Method of forming under-floor space of double floor |
| NL1027424C2 (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2006-05-08 | Soluflex B V | Floor and assembly. |
| JP5086794B2 (en) * | 2007-12-25 | 2012-11-28 | パナソニック株式会社 | DC power supply device and lighting apparatus |
| CN104411901A (en) * | 2012-02-10 | 2015-03-11 | 贾科·瓦尔坦伦 | Insulation element and a system comprising the insulation element |
| GB201609336D0 (en) * | 2016-05-26 | 2016-07-13 | Donnell Mark And Boyle Craig O | A cable and building services management system |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1759372A1 (en) * | 1968-04-25 | 1971-06-16 | Mengeringhausen Max | Single plate for covering supporting scaffolding or the like. |
| US4074488A (en) * | 1974-06-05 | 1978-02-21 | Liskey Archectural Mfg. Inc. | Elevated floor assembly |
| FR2483990A1 (en) * | 1980-06-06 | 1981-12-11 | Bolle Jean Pierre | Interlocked surface for floors - consists of square plastics slabs clipped together by connecting cups |
| DE3117497A1 (en) * | 1981-05-02 | 1983-01-20 | Artus 5060 Bergisch Gladbach Feist | FLOOR UNIT |
| FR2564509A1 (en) * | 1984-05-21 | 1985-11-22 | Slym | REMOVABLE COMPOSITE STRUCTURE SUITABLE FOR CONSTITUTING A FLOORING OR THE LIKE |
| DE3535632A1 (en) * | 1985-10-05 | 1987-04-23 | Huchzermeyer Herforder Teppich | FLOORING |
| JPS62284854A (en) * | 1986-05-30 | 1987-12-10 | 共同カイテック株式会社 | Floor panel apparatus |
| JP2552157B2 (en) * | 1986-10-22 | 1996-11-06 | ケーブルスケープ アクセス フローリング ピーテーワイ リミテッド | Modular hollow floor panel with built-in duct |
| DK681987D0 (en) * | 1987-07-09 | 1987-12-22 | Henkel Kgaa | OF TWO LAYER EXISTING SPACES FLOORING |
-
1989
- 1989-02-03 FR FR8901419A patent/FR2642782B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-01-29 ES ES199090400243T patent/ES2038495T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-01-29 DK DK90400243.3T patent/DK0381571T3/en active
- 1990-01-29 EP EP90400243A patent/EP0381571B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-01-29 AT AT90400243T patent/ATE84103T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-01-29 DE DE9090400243T patent/DE69000666T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-01-31 CA CA002009061A patent/CA2009061C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-02-02 JP JP2024299A patent/JP3035311B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1993
- 1993-03-29 GR GR930400675T patent/GR3007488T3/el unknown
-
1999
- 1999-07-09 JP JP11196119A patent/JP2000220279A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2642782B1 (en) | 1993-02-26 |
| ATE84103T1 (en) | 1993-01-15 |
| JP2000220279A (en) | 2000-08-08 |
| JP3035311B2 (en) | 2000-04-24 |
| CA2009061A1 (en) | 1990-08-03 |
| EP0381571A1 (en) | 1990-08-08 |
| FR2642782A1 (en) | 1990-08-10 |
| EP0381571B1 (en) | 1992-12-30 |
| DK0381571T3 (en) | 1993-04-19 |
| GR3007488T3 (en) | 1993-07-30 |
| DE69000666D1 (en) | 1993-02-11 |
| JPH02236353A (en) | 1990-09-19 |
| DE69000666T2 (en) | 1993-07-15 |
| ES2038495T3 (en) | 1993-07-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |