JP2004522025A - Structurally integrated accessible floor system - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor system (100) for a building, comprising a primary structural support (102), a secondary structural support (104), a grid (106) attached to the support (104), and a grid (106). A floor system (100) removably mounted with a plurality of panels (108) that provide access to the space under the panels (108) and the grid (106). Floors for buildings include: a plurality of primary structural materials; a plurality of spaced secondary structural materials bridging the primary materials; a support grid on the top surface of the secondary materials; and on the support grid. It comprises a plurality of panels that are installed to form a floor.

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
(Technical field)
The present invention relates to floor structures, and more particularly, to floor assemblies having a plurality of primary structural supports and a removable access panel supported on a grid supported on secondary structural supports.
[Background Art]
[0002]
(Background of the Invention)
The increasing use of computers, communication devices, and other electronic hardware has placed new demands on architectural designers. Users desire a large number of outlets for access to power and communication signals, and need to be able to change the location of such outlets on a regular (sometimes weekly) basis. Power and data outlets were located in or below the floor, typically in a removable floor section that was raised above the original floor by a support. Two typical top floors are the gantry floor and the low profile floor.
[0003]
The gantry access floor has a gantry consisting of metal rods having a base plate at one end and a support plate (supporting a removable horizontal panel) at the other end, thus forming a raised floor structure. The metal rods are height adjustable and are placed on a conventional solid floor deck. Solid floor decks may be manufactured from wood, concrete, or a combination of a metal deck and a concrete topping slab. The rods are arranged in a grid (typically square). Rods and plates support the removable floor section. The height of the rod is typically about 18 inches and can be adjusted to the desired height before installing the floor section. Power and data cables are laid between the solid floor deck and the underside of the floor section. The cable passes through the floor section at the desired location according to the needs of the user. The piercing may consist of cables only or may be a connection box similar to a common wall outlet. Penetrations may accommodate power lines or signal cables (eg, cable television, speaker lines, computer networks, etc.). In some designs, the space between the floor deck and the raised floor section is sufficient to distribute air conditioning air through grills and / or registers located on the selected floor section. Because this system is relatively expensive, it is generally used when accommodations must be created for changes in floor height.
[0004]
There are extra labor costs associated with having to deploy and install the gantry system. The gantry must be reinforced to meet seismic code. This further increases labor and costs. In addition, the gantry increases the need for elevated ceilings, and ultimately increases the height of the building. Increasing the height increases the area of the shell, thereby increasing not only construction costs but also operating costs due to heat losses. If the gantry access floor is used only for part of a building, ramps or structural containment must be created for floor elevation changes. As the user reroutes the electrical cable under the access floor, the gantry may provide an obstacle as the cable is pulled to a new location. Access floors are also a separate step in the building schedule. The acoustic properties of this system are poor. Floor sections are usually relatively thin and hard, transmitting sound both horizontally and vertically.
[0005]
The second type of raised floor is of a low profile design. This can be approximately 21/2 inches high to 4 inches high. This design does not use a pedestal to raise and support the floor section, but rather relies on the "foot" at the corner of the section to make room under the lower surface of the panel at the top of the solid floor deck. The panel with this low "foot" is placed directly on the floor deck. This ultra-low design is cheaper than the gantry floor, but affects the cost of the traditional design floor of the building. This is because this ultra-low design requires the use of a solid floor deck. The problem of changing altitudes between existing and accessible floors remains.
[0006]
There are also disadvantages with ultra-low floors compared to gantry floors. The space under the ultra-low section is not deep enough to be used to supply air. The resulting floor is not as stable in both horizontal and vertical directions as the gantry access floor described above. Since the sections are not fixed to the floor deck, they may move in the event of cable pulling and re-routing. Ultra-low floors also increase the floor-to-floor height of the building, thus increasing building and operating costs. Generally, the smaller the distance between the solid floor deck and the surface of the floor section, the less flexible the ultra low floor will be. Both types require an underlying solid floor deck for support and to provide structural stability to the exterior building.
[0007]
In addition, the acoustic properties of both conventional types of raised floors are typically very poor. They tend to convey noise to the extent that it makes the raised floor impractical for use in many environments.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0008]
(Summary of the Invention)
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a building floor assembly is provided. The floor assembly includes a plurality of primary structural building materials; a plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials bridging the primary building materials; a support grid on a top surface of the secondary building materials; and a support grid on the support grid to form a floor. It has a plurality of provided panels. Each panel is individually removable from the support grid to provide access to the space below.
[0009]
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of longitudinal structural supports; a grid assembly; a mounting system for mounting the grid assembly to a respective upper surface of the longitudinal structural supports, the longitudinal structural support comprising: An attachment system configured to allow adjustment of the position of the grid assembly relative to the body; and a plurality of panels, wherein a bottom of the panels is configured to be received in an opening in the grid and a top is configured. A floor assembly is provided that includes a panel configured to be supported on a top surface of a grid assembly.
[0010]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of primary structural materials; a plurality of spaced secondary structural materials bridging the primary materials; a support grid fixed to a top surface of the secondary materials; A support grid configured to receive the panel; a mounting system for mounting the support grid to a respective top surface of the secondary structural building material so as to enable adjustment of a position of the support grid relative to the secondary structural building material. And a plurality of panels received on the support grid to form a floor, wherein each panel supports access to a space between secondary structural building materials. Provided is a building comprising a plurality of panels that are individually removable from a grid.
[0011]
(Detailed description of the invention)
A structurally integrated accessible floor system (hereinafter floor system) is generally designated 100 and is shown in isometric view in FIG.
[0012]
A primary frame member 102 is provided. This can be formed as an integral part of a metal frame type building. Secondary frame member 104 (eg, a joist) is connected to primary frame member 102. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a structural support grid 106 is then formed over the secondary frame member 104. The grid 106 is configured to receive a removable floor panel 108 in an opening 110 formed by the grid 106. The removable floor panel 108 may be uniform in size to allow interchangeability, provide terminals or hookups 112 for power and communication access, and provide vents or registers 114 for ventilation. .
[0013]
For simplicity and clarity, one type of power terminal 112 is shown in FIG. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a wide variety of terminals may be used, including standard 110 volt sockets, coaxial cable terminals, fiber optic connections, heavy duty power terminals, T2 connectors, and the like. The user may further choose to provide openings in the panel to allow the passage of cables without using a terminal. These and other options are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
[0014]
Similarly, a wide variety of means for blowing air and gas may be used in place of vent 114. The various means, compressed air hookup, vacuum line, a fan, a direction adjustable vents, filters, emergency evacuation system, compressed oxygen, CO _2, propane, and the like nitrogen.
[0015]
FIG. 1 also shows an optional panel 116 attached to the metal channel 118. Metal channel 118 is then secured to the lower surface of the secondary frame member. These panels 116 are ideally constructed from a refractory material, thus forming a fire block. Panel 116 isolates one floor of the building from the next. This establishes a fire protection that can be required by many building codes. A panel 116 attached to the lower surface of the secondary frame member surrounds the space between the secondary frame members. This enclosed space can be used as an HVAC plenum. This can result in financial savings as piping is reduced or eliminated. Partitions can be used in this space so that separate sections of the floor system can be pressurized for use as a plenum.
[0016]
Referring to FIG. 2, a section of one embodiment of the structural support grid 106 is shown. According to this embodiment, the structural support grid comprises an L-shaped rail member 202 secured in a back-to-back relationship to a T-shaped joint node 200 to form a support for a removable floor panel. Nodes and rail members are standardized to allow interchangeability.
[0017]
It should be understood that the rail members can have many different cross-sectional shapes and node configurations. For example, some alternative cross-sectional shapes include channels, "Ts", and squares.
[0018]
FIG. 3 shows the floor system 100 in a cross section along the line III-III in FIG. The removable floor panel 108 has multiple layers, including a top layer 300. The top layer 300 is configured according to the requirements of the particular application and may have a carpeted or tiled surface. Alternatively, the top layer may be formed using a chemically resistant material for use in a laboratory or other corrosive environment. The top layer 300 and the bottom layer 306 are designed to provide structural rigidity to the panel 108 and are configured according to the strength and weight requirements of the particular application. The flame retardant layer 304 is composed of a flame resistant material (eg, gypsum) or other suitable material and serves to block the passage of flame from one side of the panel 108 to the other. The insulating layer 302 provides thermal insulation and acoustic isolation as well as additional rigidity.
[0019]
The composition of the removable floor panels will vary according to the requirements of the particular application, the expected environment, the required load-bearing capacity, the desired appearance, the expected degree of noise suppression, the local building codes and fire protection It will be appreciated that certain sub-indices are dictated by criteria and other factors.
[0020]
Although the removable floor panel 108 is supported by the structural support grid 106, panel fasteners 310 can be used to securely attach the panel 108 to the structural support grid 106. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the panel fastener 310 comprises a threaded fastener, which is threaded from the lower surface of the structural support grid 106 to an opening 311 in the rail member 202 of the structural support grid 106. Through the opening in the lower surface of the removable panel 108. The opening 311 is oversized relative to the threaded fastener 310 to allow for adjustment of the position of the removable panel 108 relative to the structural support grid 106. The threads of the threaded fastener 310 engage the removable panel, and the hex head of the fastener 310 rests on the lower surface 324 of the support grid 106. This tensions the removable panel against the structural support grid 106 without loosening. Thus, in this embodiment, access to panel fastener 310 is from below structural support grid 106.
[0021]
Level unit 308 is provided to control vertical distance 320 between structural support grid 106 and secondary frame member 104. FIG. 3 shows one of several similar units with a level system, which functions as described below.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3, the level unit 308 includes a threaded rod 312 mounted on a support plate 314 supported on the upper surface 322 of the secondary frame member 104. The threaded rod 312 passes through the lift plate 316 through an opening in the lift plate 316. Lift plate 316 upwardly supports lower surface 324 of structural support grid 106. Rod 312 is slidably received in opening 307 formed in grid 106. A pair of thin nuts 318 on the threaded rod support the lift plate 316. The location of the thin nut 318 on the threaded rod determines the distance 320 between the upper surface 322 of the secondary frame member 104 and the lower surface 324 of the structural support grid 106.
[0023]
By adjusting each of the plurality of units of the level system, the bearing surface 326 of the floor system 100 can be leveled even when the upper surface 322 of the secondary frame member is not level.
[0024]
In another embodiment of the present invention, a level device functionally similar to the level unit 308 described above includes an upper surface 120 (shown in FIG. 1) of the primary frame member 102 and a secondary device supported on the primary frame member. It can be used between the frame member 104 and the portion 105. By adjusting the vertical distance between the primary and secondary frame members, the level of the structural support grid 106 can be controlled.
[0025]
Other methods of controlling the vertical distance (not shown) between primary frame member 102 and secondary frame member 104 or between structural support grid 106 and secondary frame member 104 will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These methods include the use of wedges, shims, threaded devices accessed from above the floor system, self-adjustable or remotely adjustable devices, and the like. All of these are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of floor system 100 taken along line IV-IV, showing an alternative embodiment of removable panel 108. In this embodiment, a flexible gasket 400 is secured to the top end 412 of each panel 108,109. The gaskets 400 on adjacent panels 108, 109 press against each other, providing a seal between the removable panels 108, 109. Seals can be used to prevent spills from leaking through the floor system. In applications where corrosive or hazardous fluids may be expected to spill, the composition of gasket 400 is selected to be resistant to a particular class of materials used. Multiple gaskets or mating gaskets may also be used to provide a more secure seal. Alternatively, a single gasket may be pressed between the adjacent panels 108, 109 after the adjacent panels 108, 109 have been installed on the structural support grid 106. Gasket 400 may also be used in applications where it is desired to control the movement of air or other gas from one side of the floor system to the other.
[0027]
FIG. 4 also shows an alternative embodiment of the panel fastener. Here, panel fastener 410 is accessed from above the floor system surface with an instrument (not shown) inserted into the center of joint node 200. Panel fastener 410 is rotated about 45 °. The fastener blade 408 rotates from a location in the slot (not shown) of the joint node 200 into the corner slot of the removable panel 406 to secure the panel in place.
[0028]
Other fixation devices and systems will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Such devices include those using cam-type fasteners, devices accessible from the surface of the removable floor panel, and devices that automatically latch when the removable floor panel is installed.
[0029]
Depending on the height and local requirements, some buildings include building devices or methods that provide seismic resistance. In conventional building methods, a solid floor deck functions as a diaphragm, which is resistant to dimensional stress.
[0030]
According to one embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the structural support grid 106 is orthogonally mounted to the primary frame member 102 and the secondary frame member 104. The diagonal stay 500 is used to reinforce and provide the required stability for the structure. The stay 500 is attached directly to the primary column 502 of the building and passes through the bottom of the floor structure 100.
[0031]
FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Here, the structural support grid 106 is oriented diagonally with respect to the primary frame member 102 and the secondary frame member 104. In this embodiment, the structural support grid 106 itself forms a diagonal brace that strengthens the building structure.
[0032]
In a further embodiment of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 7, a repositionable wall 700 may be used as part of a structurally integrated accessible floor system. These relocatable walls consist of a floor divider from the floor to the ceiling. This can be assembled in place, as shown in FIG. 7, or it can be pre-fabricated and installed as a separate unit. Alternatively, they can be prefabricated with a cubic divider of the type common to office environments. The relocatable wall 700 is fixed directly to the structural support grid 104. The partial floor panel 108a can be cut to the required size for that location or made to common dimensions using conventional methods. By securing the wall 700 to the grid 106 and using partial floor panels, acoustic isolation is improved and the structural stability of the wall 700 is improved.
[0033]
The electrical components of the wall 700 (eg, light switches, thermostats, power connections, etc.) are routed directly through the bottom of the floor via harnesses (not shown) that can be connected to cables and connectors under the floor panel 108. Can be connected by This is a significant advantage over the methods currently used, especially in the case of small room dividers. This is because conventional small room dividers must bring power inside, require complex interconnections between the partitions, and power falls off the ceiling. Other methods include the use of wireless technology for switching and control. Such a technique has the advantage that no wiring connection is required in the wall.
[0034]
FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a structural support rail 800 is used. Rails 800 bridge the secondary frame member 104 and support the removable floor panel 108 on two sides. The floor panel 108 of this embodiment is configured to bridge the structural support rail 800.
[0035]
In a conventional building, a raised floor system of the type described in the "Technical Background" section of this specification is installed on top of an existing floor. The raised floor occupies space on the floor and is not part of the building structure. The accessible space provided by such a raised floor is the space between the panels forming the surface of the raised floor and the upper surface of the solid floor deck. In the structurally integrated and accessible floor system of the embodiments of the invention described herein, a solid floor deck is not required. Removable panels provide access to the space below the grid and between the individual secondary frame members. In conventional floor structures, this space is inaccessible and wasted. As the structural support grid of the present invention bridges the secondary frame members, the space below is unobstructed and provides simplified access for drawing cables and laying conduits, ducts and pipes.
[0036]
The cost of the floor system disclosed herein is significantly reduced by several factors. No conventional structural floor is required, and the floor system is essentially the same height as a conventional structural floor. This eliminates the need for slopes in areas where conventional floors are adjacent to the floor system. Because the floor system does not add a per-floor height to the final building structure, it saves building materials and operating costs over similar building costs using accessible floors according to the prior art. Also, the floor system has improved flexibility and changeability, as the space under the floor system is not blocked by cradle, feet, or other support devices. Pulling cables, installing conduits and pipes, and installing ducts are all easy. Labor and down time costs during retrofits are reduced.
[0037]
While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described herein by way of example, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0038]
FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a section of a floor system formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows details of a structural support grid element of a floor system formed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the floor system of FIG. 1 taken along line III-III.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the floor system of FIG. 3, taken along line IV-IV.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a floor system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a floor system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the floor system of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a floor system illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (28)

Floor for a building, with:
A plurality of primary structural building materials;
A plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials bridging the primary building material, wherein each of the spaced plurality of secondary structural building materials has a top surface and a bottom surface. ;
A support grid on a top surface of the secondary building material, the support grid being configured to receive a panel; and a plurality of panels mounted on the support grid to form a floor; A panel, wherein each of the plurality of panels is individually removable from the support grid to provide access to a space between the spaced plurality of secondary structural building materials;
Equipped with a floor. The floor of claim 1, comprising means for individually securing the plurality of panels to the support grid. The floor of claim 1 comprising a system for leveling the floor. The leveling system includes a plurality of structures that are individually interposed and spaced between each of the plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials and the support grid. The floor of claim 1, wherein the floor is individually adjustable to change a distance between each of a plurality of secondary structural building materials and the support grid. The at least one panel comprises at least one panel configured to allow passage of gas from a first side of the at least one panel to a second side of the at least one panel. Floor. 6. The floor of claim 5, wherein a partition is provided in the space between the plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials to subdivide the plenum formed by the floor. The floor of claim 1, comprising a refractory barrier secured to the bottom surface of the plurality of spaced secondary building materials. The floor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels are configured to buffer acoustic transmission. The floor of claim 1, wherein a major axis of the support grid is oriented at approximately 90 ° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of spaced secondary building materials. The floor of claim 1, wherein a major axis of the support grid is oriented at about 45 ° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of spaced secondary building materials. A floor structure for use with a primary support system, the structure comprising:
Means adapted to crosslink the primary support system to provide a secondary support system;
Means for supporting a plurality of floor panels on the bridging means, wherein the supporting means individually provide access to a space below the panels and between the supporting means. Support means configured to be removable from the floor panel of the vehicle; and means for adjusting the position of the support means on the bridging means;
A structure comprising: The structure of claim 11, wherein the support means comprises a grid having a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings being configured to receive one of the plurality of floor panels. The structure of claim 11, further comprising means for securing each of the plurality of floor panels to the support means. A floor structure, comprising:
A plurality of horizontal structural members held in spaced relation;
A grid assembly having a plurality of intersecting first and second grid members attached to the plurality of horizontal structural members and defining a plurality of openings; and A plurality of panels, each sized and shaped to individually removably engage with the grid assembly to cover the plurality of openings;
A structure comprising: 15. The structure of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of panels is removable to provide access to a space below the plurality of panels and between the plurality of horizontal structural members. Each of the plurality of panels is configured to fit within a respective opening, and each panel includes an upper surface, the upper surface defining the respective openings. 15. The structure of claim 14, wherein the structure is configured to extend beyond a portion of the structure. Each of the plurality of panels comprises a flexible gasket surrounding the top surface such that when the plurality of panels are disposed within a succession of the plurality of openings, an adjacent flexible gasket is provided. 17. The structure of claim 16, wherein the gaskets engage one another. 17. The structure of claim 16, wherein the plurality of panels comprises at least one panel configured to allow gas to pass from a first side to a second side. 17. The structure of claim 16, wherein the plurality of panels comprises at least one panel configured to distribute power via an electrical outlet. 17. The structure of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of panels is configured to buffer acoustic transmission from one of the plurality of panels to an adjacent one of the plurality of panels. 17. The structure of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of panels is configured to be removably attached to the grid assembly. A mounting system for mounting the grid assembly to the plurality of structural members and maintaining an adjustable gap between the grid assembly and each of the plurality of structural members. 15. The structure of claim 14, wherein the structure is configured to provide leveling of a grid assembly. The structure of claim 14, further comprising a wall removably attached to the grid assembly. Floor assembly, comprising:
A plurality of longitudinal structural supports, each of the plurality of longitudinal structural supports having an upper surface and a lower surface;
A grid assembly having a plurality of openings;
An attachment system for attaching the grid assembly to the upper surface of each of the longitudinal structural supports, wherein the mounting system is configured to allow adjustment of a position of the grid assembly relative to the longitudinal structural supports. A mounting system; and a plurality of panels, each panel having a top and a bottom, wherein at least the size and shape of the bottom are slidably received in one of the plurality of openings. Wherein the size and shape of the top is selected to be supported on a top surface of the grid assembly;
A floor assembly. 25. Each of the plurality of panels is individually removable to allow access to a space below the grid assembly and between the plurality of longitudinal structural supports. Floor. The building is as follows:
A plurality of primary structural building materials;
A plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials bridging the primary building material, wherein each of the spaced secondary structural building materials has a top surface and a bottom surface. ;
A support grid secured to a top surface of the secondary building material and configured to receive the panels; and a plurality of panels removably received on the support grid to form a floor, the plurality of panels comprising: Panels, each of which is individually removable from the support grid to provide access to a space between the plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials.
A building with The building is as follows:
A plurality of primary structural building materials;
A plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials bridging the primary building material, wherein each of the spaced plurality of secondary structural building materials has a top surface and a bottom surface. ;
A support grid secured to the top surface of the secondary building material and configured to receive a panel;
An attachment system for attaching the support grid to the top surface of each of the plurality of spaced secondary structural materials, the mounting system comprising: a location of the support grid relative to the spaced plurality of secondary structural materials. A mounting system configured to allow adjustment; and a plurality of panels removably received on the support grid to form a floor, each of the plurality of panels being spaced apart. A panel individually removable from the support grid to provide access to a space between a plurality of secondary structural building materials;
A building with The building is as follows:
A plurality of primary structural building materials;
A plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials bridging the primary building material, wherein each of the spaced plurality of secondary structural building materials has a top surface and a bottom surface. ;
A support grid secured to the top surface of the secondary building material and configured to receive a panel;
A plurality of panels removably received on the support grid to form a floor, each of the plurality of panels providing access to a space between the plurality of spaced secondary structural building materials. A panel that is individually removable from the support grid so as to:
A building with