GB2292957A

GB2292957A - Panel supporting pedestal for modular access floor unit

Info

Publication number: GB2292957A
Application number: GB9522715A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chien-Teh Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-06-08
Filing date: 1992-06-08
Publication date: 1996-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-08
Also published as: GB9212115D0; GB9522715D0; GB2267720A; GB2267720B; GB2292957B

Abstract

A pedestal is used for mounting a floor panel at a spaced distance above a grid system of structural beams. Each pedestal comprises a tubular member (30) and a shaft (31). The tubular member (30) has an upper portion (301) which supports the floor panel (2) and a lower portion (302) which receives the upper portion of the shaft (31). The shaft (31) has a lower portion (312) with an external screw thread which is fastened to the grid system at an adjustable height by a nut 34 above the grid and a nut 32 below the grid. A rotatable collar (43) is received in the tubular member (30) on top of shaft (31). The collar (43) is threadedly engaged with the tubular member (30) so that axial rotation of the collar (43) results in vertical translation of the collar (43) relative to the tubular member (30) to allow height adjustment of the panel. <IMAGE>

Description

PANEL SUPPORTING PEDESTAL FOR MODULAR ACCESS FLOOR UNIT The invention relates generally to the field of building construction and more particularly to a panel supporting pedestal for a modular access floor unit. This application is a divisional application of No. 9212115.1 (GB-A-2267720) filed 8 June 1992.

Modular access floor units are known in the art.

Examples of such flooring have been disclosed in US Patent Nos. 3,640,036 and 4,438,610 and are used extensively in general office areas, in computer and control rooms and in laboratory rooms.

Figure 1 is an illustration of a conventional modular access floor unit similar to that disclosed in US Patent No. 4,438,610. The floor unit has a concrete base floor which is formed by securing a joist (B) with troughs provided thereon on a structural steel beam (A) and by casting a concrete slab (C) on the joist (B). An array of floor panels (E) are supported on pedestals (F) a short distance from the base floor. The panels (E) cooperate with the base floor to form a plenum (G) which can be used for the distribution of electrical wiring and the like.

The following are the main drawbacks of the above described conventional flooring: 1. Installation of the panels (E) at equal levels is difficult to achieve. The panels (E) are supported by pedestals (F) which are fixed to the base floor and which must be individually adjusted to compensate for an uneven base floor. A layer of plaster (D) is usually applied on the surface of the concrete slab (C) since the surface of the slab (C) is uneven when the slab (C) is formed.

However, even with the provision of the plaster layer (D), it is still difficult to achieve an even base floor surface because of the size of the base floor and because weather and humidity conditions can affect the formation of the slab (C).

2. The panels (E) usually settle with age, thereby making the surface of the panels (E) uneven. This can cause the panels (E) to rock and make noise when walked upon.

3. Note that the base floor must be formed before the pedestals (F) can be installed. Since the formation of the concrete slab (C) is affected by weather and humidity conditions, the completion time of the conventional modular access floor unit is therefore similarly affected by weather and humidity conditions.

4. The conventional modular access floor unit can cause a substantial decrease in the ceiling height when installed. Since the distance between the base floor and the ceiling (not shown) should be within the government regulated range, installation of the panels (E), which are disposed above the base floor, can considerably reduce the ceiling height.

Therefore, an aim of the present invention is to provide a modular access floor unit which can overcome the above mentioned drawbacks. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide a panel supporting pedestal for detachably securing composite floor panels on structural steel beams.

More specifically, an aim of the present invention is to provide a modular access floor unit which can be easily installed on a building frame and which can provide an even raised floor surface.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a modular access floor unit which obviates the need for forming a concrete slab, thereby reducing the cost and the completion time thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a modular access floor unit which results in a smaller reduction in the ceiling height, approximately 10 centimetres, when installed.

Further embodiments of the present invention provide a modular access floor unit which has composite floor panels that are detachably connected to structural steel beams.

Accordingly, the present invention provides panel supporting pedestals for mounting a floor panel at a spaced distance above a grid system of structural beams, each of the panel supporting pedestals comprising: a tubular member having an upper portion which supports one of the floor panels and a lower portion; a shaft having an upper portion received in the lower portion of the tubular member and a lower portion fastened to the grid system; and a rotatable collar received in the tubular member on top of the shaft and threadedly engaging the tubular member. The collar is axially rotated so as to result in a vertical translation of the same relative to the tubular member, thereby permitting adjustments in the height of the corresponding floor panel.

The pedestals may be employed in a modular access floor unit of the parent patent application 9212115.1 which comprises: a grid system of structural steel beams; a number of the present panel supporting pedestals mounted at spaced intervals on the grid system and extending upwardly to a substantially common height; and a number of polygonal floor panels arranged side by side in rows to cover a top side of the grid system, each of the floor panels being supported at each corner by one of the pedestals.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an illustration of a conventional modular access floor unit; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of a panel supporting pedestal according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an illustration of a modular access floor unit which employs pedestals according to embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the modular access floor unit of Figure 3; and Figure 5 illustrates the modular access floor unit of Figure 3 when installed on a building frame.

Referring to Figures 2 to 4, an example modular access floor unit is shown to comprise a grid system (1) of structural steel beams, a number of composite floor panels (2) and a number of height adjustable panel supporting pedestals (3), according to embodiments of the present invention.

The illustrated grid system (1) as shown in Figure 4, includes four main structural steel beams (10) which cooperatively define a square floor section (T) and a plurality of secondary structural steel beams (11) which are smaller than the main steel beams (10). The steel beams (11) are connected to the steel beams (10) using conventional mounting methods which will not be detailed herein. The steel beams (11) are parallel to one another and extend along the width of the floor section (T), thereby forming an elongated space (12) between two adjacent steel beams (11). The width of each elongated space (12) is slightly smaller than the standard width of the floor panels (2). Furthermore, the area of the floor section (T) should be a multiple of the standard area of the floor panel (2).

The floor panels (2) are arranged side by side in rows to cover the top side of the grid system (1). The floor panels (2) are uniformly sized, i.e. 600 mm x 600 mm. Each corner of the floor panel (2) is formed with an engaging hole (20) which is shaped so as to be slipped on the top end of one of the panel supporting pedestals (3). This facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the floor panels (2) from the pedestals (3). Each of the floor panels (2) is preferably made of an aluminum alloy and has concrete pieces (22) embedded therein so as to prevent rocking of the floor panels (2) and so as to minimize the noise made when the floor panels (2) are walked upon.

The pedestals (3) according to embodiments of the present invention are mounted at spaced intervals on the grid system (1) and extend upwardly to a substantially common height so as to support the floor panels (2) a spaced distance above the grid system (1). Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each of the pedestals (3) comprises a tubular member (30) and a shaft (31). The tubular member (30) has an upper portion (301) which supports the floor panel (2) and a lower portion (302) which receives the upper portion (311) of the shaft (31). The shaft (31) has a lower portion (312) which extends through a mounting hole (14) in the tope side of the grid system (1) and which is provided with an external screw thread (313). A first nut (34) engages the lower portion (312) and is disposed above the mounting hole (14).A first compression spring piece (35) is provided between the first nut (34) and the grid system (1) and biases the first but (34) away from the grid system (1). A second nut (32) similarly engages the lower portion (312) of the shaft (31) and is disposed below the mounting hole (14).

A second compression spring piece (33) is provided between the second nut (32) and the grid system (1) and biases the second nut (32) away from the grid system (1). This illustrates how the pedestal (3) is tightly fastened to the grid system (1).

The second nut (32) has a closed bottom (40). A third compression spring piece (41) is provided in the tubular member (30) on top of the upper portion (311) of the shaft (31). The upper portion (301) of the tubular member (30) is provided with an internal screw thread (411). The shaft (31) is provided with an axial through bore (410). A bolt (42) has a head portion (420) which rests against the closed bottom (40) of the second nut (32) and a rod portion (421) which extends upwardly from the head portion (420) and through the through bore (410) in the shaft (31) and the third compression sprint piece (41). The distal end of the rod portion (421) is provided with an external screw thread (4210) and an engaging groove (422). A collar (43) is received in the tubular member (30) on top of the third compression spring piece (41) and threadedly engages the internal screw thread (411).The collar (43) has a lower axial screw hole (431) which engages the screw thread (4210) of the bolt (42) and an upper axial access hole (430) which is larger than the screw hole (431) to access the screw hole (431). A cap (45) is provided on top of the collar (43) and has an upper surface which is flushed with the top surface of the floor panel (2). The cap (45) has a downwardly extending portion (451) which is detachably received in the access hole (430) and which extends into the engaging groove (422) in the bolt (42). The cap (45) prevents any untimely rotation of the bolt (42).

Slight adjustments in the height of the floor panel (2) can be achieved by removing the cap (45) and by using a driving tool (not shown) to engage the groove (422) in the bolt (42) so as to drive rotatably the bolt (42) and the collar (43), thereby causing upward or downward translation of the collar (43) relative to the tubular member (41). The floor panel (2) has an inward radial flange (21) formed at the engaging hole (20) and abutting the top side of the collar (43). Vertical translation of the collar (43) can thus cause corresponding vertical movement of the floor panel (2).

A modular access floor unit which employs panel supporting pedestals of the present invention is preferably pre-formed before being transported to the building construction site. Computer numerical control (CNC) processes are employed when fabricating the different elements of the preferred embodiment. Optical sensors can also be used to check if tilting of the raised floor surface formed by the floor panels (2) is within a tolerable range.

Referring to Figure 5, a plurality of the modular access floor units employing panel supporting pedestals of the present invention are arranged side by side in rows and are rivetted to the structural beams (60) of the building frame. A cover plate (70) is used to cover the bottom side of the grid system (1) in order to prevent objects from falling therethrough when the floor panel (2) is removed.

By comparing Figures 1 and 5, it can be shown that height of the modular access floor unit employing panel supporting pedestals of the present invention (approximately 9 cm) is smaller than that of the prior art. A smaller decrease in the ceiling height is therefore obtained when the preferred embodiment is installed.

An optional pressure detecting device (not shown) may be connected to the compression spring piece (35). The pressure detecting device may serve as part of an anti burglar alarm system which generates an alarm signal whenever a burglar's foot applies pressure on the floor panel (2).

Modular access floor units employing panel supporting pedestals of the present invention may have advantages as follows: 1. Computer numerical control (CNC) processes are employed when fabricating the different elements of the preferred embodiment. A high degree of precision can therefore be attained, making it easy to obtain an even raised floor surface.

2. The modular access floor unit can be easily installed on a building frame.

3. The panels do not rock and make noise when walked upon because they form an even raised floor surface.

4. The height of the preferred embodiment is smaller than that of the prior art, thereby resulting in a smaller decrease in the ceiling height.

5. A hidden anti-burglar alarm system may be incorporated in the modular access floor unit.

6. Adjustments in the height of the floor panels can be easily and effectively achieved.

Claims

1. A panel supporting pedestal for mounting a floor panel at a spaced distance above a grid system of structural beams, comprising: a tubular member having an upper portion which supports one of said floor panels and a lower portion; a shaft having an upper portion received in said lower portion of said tubular member and a lower portion fastened to said grid system; a rotatable collar received in said tubular member on top of said shaft and threadedly engaging said tubular member, axial rotation of said collar resulting in a vertical translation of said collar relative to said tubular member.

2. The panel supporting pedestal as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said shaft is provided with an axial through bore; said collar has an axial access hole; and said pedestal further comprises a bolt with a rod portion which extends upwardly through said through bore of said shaft, said rod portion having a distal end secured to said collar and formed with an engaging groove which is accessible via said access hole in said collar, said bolt being rotated so as to drive rotatably said collar.

3. The panel supporting pedestal as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a cap having a downwardly extending projection which is detachably received in said access hole of said collar and which engages said engaging groove in said rod portion of said bolt.

4. The panel supporting pedestal as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a compression spring provided inside said tubular member between said collar and said shaft.

5. The panel supporting pedestal as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said lower portion of said shaft is provided with an external screw thread; and said pedestal further comprises first and second nuts which engage said lower portion of said shaft.

6. The panel supporting pedestal as claimed in claim 5, further comprising at least one compression spring provided between said first and second nuts.

7. A panel supporting pedestal as substantially described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying Figures 2 and 3.