WO2000066850A1

WO2000066850A1 - Molded raised panel flooring

Info

Publication number: WO2000066850A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/011728
Authority: WO
Inventors: John J. Doris; Richard A. Kroko; Robert O. Davison
Original assignee: Interface, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-04-29
Filing date: 2000-04-28
Publication date: 2000-11-09
Also published as: AU4685600A

Abstract

Systems and methods for a molded, integrated raised panel flooring. The molded raised flooring includes integrally formed panels (12) having passages (18) formed therethrough, a side portion in the panels having a latch opening (22) and panel clips (36). Adjacently placed panels (12) are attached together using the panel clips (36) positioned into the latch openings (22). This assembled configuration of panels forms a flooring surface that is suitable for conventional floor covering finishes.

Description

MOLDED RAISED PANEL FLOORING

Related Application

This application claims priority to a U.S. Patent Application serial no.

0/131 ,521 filed April 29, 1999, entitled, "Molded Raised Panel Flooring," which

s incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to the field of raised floor distribution of services, and in particular to systems and methods for molded raised panel flooring.

Background of the Invention

Raised flooring systems and are frequently used in commercial settings. For example, computer rooms typically use raised floors for concealing cables and other electrical equipment. When required, a section of the raised floor can be removed providing access to previously hidden wiring. Upon completion of any work on the exposed equipment, the removed section of the raised floor is replaced, once again hiding the equipment underneath. Typical raised flooring include panels supported by structurally separate pedestal columns installed on top of subfloors. An ample distance between the panels and the subfloor exists to conceal distribution mediums such as electrical equipment boxes, power conductors, telecommunications cables, air distribution and the like. The concealed services can be horizontally distributed along the subfloor underneath the raised flooring.

Raised floors can also be useful in non-commercial applications. Homeowners may have a need to efficiently and effectively conceal cable, wires and the like underneath a raised floor. In a non-commercial setting, ease of handling, installation and removal are important factors in the design of a raised flooring system. Therefore, a need exists for a raised panel flooring system adaptable to both commercial and non-commercial environments.

Summary of the Invention This invention is molded integrated raised panel flooring. The molded raised flooring includes integrally formed panels having passages formed therethrough, a side portion in the panels having a latch opening and panel clips. Adjacent panels may be attached together using the panel clips positioned into the latch openings. This assembled configuration of panels forms a flooring surface that is suitable for conventional floor covering finishes including carpet and carpet tile.

Objects of this invention include:

To provide systems and methods for a low height flooring structure with maximum cavity space therein and having structural strength inherent in the design.

To provide a molded raised panel flooring system that is easy to transport, install and remove.

To provide a molded raised panel flooring system that is appropriate for both a commercial and non-commercial environment. To provide a molded raised panel flooring system having an attached power distribution apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of a panel of this invention with a slot for receiving a panel clip.

Figure 2 shows an underside view of the panel of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the panels of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the panel clip of Figure 4.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a panel clip. Figure 6 shows an optional power distribution apparatus for utilization with this invention.

Detailed Description The attached Figures 1-6 depict alternative embodiments of a new molded raised flooring system including a panel and panel clips.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an edge portion the panel 12 of this invention. As shown in Figure 1, the panel 12 includes an upper surface 14, a lower structure 16, a passage 18, a side portion 28 and a latch opening 22. The panel 12 conforms to a surface 13 such as an unfinished floor in a basement or other area of a residential environment. The upper surface 14 of the panel 12 is suitable for walking on or for covering with carpet tile or other finish floor coverings. The passage 18 is formed as a stair step design 34 for illustrative purposes. Any passage 18 design providing appropriate clearance for wiring, cables may also be used. The passage 18 could, for instance, be in the shape of a single arch or multiple scallops, among many other alternatives. The passage 18 through the lower structure 16 creates a space between the panel 12 and a floor or subfloor. Wires, cables, cords or other service elements can be routed through the passage 18 to a service provider. Panels 12 may be injection or compression molded from a wide variety of suitable polymers and can for instance be 12 inches wide by 24 inches long and 1- 5/8 inch thick. Panels 12 can be manufactured from recycled and/or virgin non- toxic polymers or co-polymers. Recycled or reclaimed materials such as nylon 6.6 fiber are suitable for the panels 12. Suitable recycled or reclaimed materials can be obtained from floor covering manufacturers such as Interface Flooring Systems, Inc., Bentley Mills, Inc. and Prince Street Technologies, Inc. or a wide variety of other post consumer or industrial sources. Such polymeric materials allow the finished panel 12 to be relatively light weight and inexpensive as well as waterproof, shatter proof, and vermin proof. The polymeric materials can be sufficiently plastic to permit the panels 12 to conform to building floor irregularities. Panels 12 can also prevent bacterial growth, and are non-soluble in water or other liquids. Further, the entire panel 12 is recyclable by the consumer utilizing normal recycling procedures, such as curb recycling.

Panels 12 manufactured from recycled or reclaimed nylon 6.6 fiber and a number of other polymers readily chosen by those skilled in the art can meet flame and smoke characteristics required by ASTM E 84. Additionally, the panels 12 can meet requirements of Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Building Code requirements. Installation of the panels 12 can be performed by a professional installer or a non-professional. If the panel 12 is made, for instance, less than or equal to 24 inches in length, it easily fits within a truck bed or car trunk. Installation is facilitated by the light weight, manageable size and minimum number of parts. The injection or compression molded raised platform of panels 12 manufactured from suitable polymeric materials conforms to the floor or subfloor, accommodating minor variations in floor level. A user can cut the panels 12 with a circular saw or a hand saw to size the panels 12 to meet room dimensions, allowing the finished flooring easily to be installed in rooms of any size and shape. Once installed the panels are stable yet easily removable. Figure 2 shows an underside view of the panel 12. As shown, a plurality of cross ribbed cells 20 are molded on the lower structure 16 of the panel 12. Latch openings 22, 24 and 26 are formed in side portions 28, 30 of the panel 12. The latch openings 22, 24 and 26 permit panels 12 to be locked together to create a continuous flooring surface. Integral cross ribbed cells 20 are formed in the lower structure 16 of the panel 12. These cross ribbed cells 20 provide strength and support for the panel 12. Further, the integral cross ribbed cells 20 are positioned to provide clearance between the upper surface 14 of the panel 12 and the floor for distribution of service related wiring, cabling and the like while providing structural support to the upper surface 14. Thus a low height with maximum cavity space panel 12 is provided with structural strength inherent in the design.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the panel 12 and latch openings 22-27. The cross ribbed cells 20 are visible in phantom lines. Markings 32 can be molded into or otherwise placed on the upper surface 14 indicating locations of access to various services such as electrical wiring and cables. Fascia, or other decorative or structural bands, can be included in the panel 12 detail or as a separate component. The upper surface 14 of the panel 12 has a flat top surface that is suitable for other finishes. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a panel clip 36 locked into position within the latch openings 22 of two side-by-side panels 12. The panel clip 36 includes a pair of integrally formed uprights 38, 40 and barbs 42, 44. The interlocking panel clip 36 design works like a clothes pin and is easily removed with standard tools available in a non-commercial setting such as pliers. The panel 12 includes a lip 45 extending from a sidewall 46 that is adjacent to the latch opening 22. The barbs 42, 44 of the panel clip 36 engage the lip 45 to lock individual panels 12 together forming a flooring surface with inherent lateral stability. When in a locked position, the uprights 38, 40 rest against the upper surface 14 of side-by-side panels 12. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a panel clip 50. The panel clip 50 shown in Figure 5 includes a hinged extension 52. The hinged extension 52 can be bent over to cooperate with and locks into position in a notch 54. This arrangement provides a safety latch locking the panel clip 50 within the latch opening 22. Figure 6 shows an optional power distribution apparatus 58. The power distribution apparatus 58 is mobile and can be located within any desired location of assembled panels 12. The power distribution apparatus 58 that cooperates with the panel 12, includes a plug tower 62, and receptacle extensions 64, 65. The plug tower 62 plugs into a standard household wall mounted outlet 63 such as, for instance, a telephone jack or a household 125 volts outlet. Wires 68, 70, 72 extending from the receptacle extensions 64 are hidden by pulling them through a plurality of passages 18 molded in the panel 12. The wires 68, 70, 72 are operatively connected to the plug tower 62 that attaches to the panel 12. The plug tower 62 provides for a number of features including surge suppression. A line fault reset button 74 can be attached to the plug tower 62 providing acknowledgment and protection of attached devices in case of failure. Further, a power on light indicator 76 can mount on the plug tower 62. Additionally, voice/data, in/out connections 78 are available utilizing the plug tower 62, for instance, cables of about 10 feet long can be routed through the passages 18 to the plug tower 62.

This raised flooring is easily installed and interlocked to provide a low fixed height floor with chases or cavities for running wires and cables for power and communication.

As those who are skilled in the field of flooring and related products will readily understand, numerous modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention or the coverage of the following claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A raised flooring panel, comprising: an integrally- formed plate for providing floor surface; and support structure for supporting the plate above a building floor, the support structure providing between the plate and the building floor at least one passageway within which wire can be positioned.

2. The raised flooring panel of claim 1 , wherein the panel is penetrated by at least one latch opening located in the panel so that latch openings will be side-by- side in like panels positioned side-by-side on the building floor.

3. A raised flooring panel assembly, comprising; at least two panels, each comprising (i) an integrally- formed plate for providing floor surface; and (ii) support structure for supporting the plate above a building floor, the support structure providing between the plate and the building floor at least one passageway within which wire can be positioned, each of which panels is penetrated by at least one latch opening; and a panel clip, a portion of which is received in a latch opening in each panel to lock the panels together.

4. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, wherein each panel further comprises a lip adjacent to the latch opening.

5. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 4, wherein the panel clip comprises a pair of integrally formed barbs, one of which engages the lip of each of the two panels.

6. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 5, wherein the panel clip further comprises a pair of integrally formed uprights for manipulating the panel clip when installing or removing it.

7. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 6, wherein pressing the uprights together causes the barbs to separate.

8. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 7, further comprising a hinged extension of one of the uprights that is positionable to cooperate with the other upright to lock the panel clip in place.

9. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, wherein each panel comprises molded polymeric material.

10. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material is recycled.

11. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material is reclaimed.

12. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, wherein the panel clip comprises molded polymeric material.

13. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, wherein each panel is formed by compression molding.

14. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, wherein each panel is formed by injection molding.

15. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material is sufficiently plastic to permit the panel assembly to conform to building floor irregularities.

16. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, wherein indicia are formed on the plate.

17. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 16, wherein the indicia are molded into the plate.

18. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of ribs.

19. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 18, wherein some of the ribs intersect with other of the ribs.

20. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 18, wherein portions of the ribs extend farther from the plate than other portions of the ribs to provide structure to contact the building floor and the passageway within which wire may be positioned.

21. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, wherein the panel clip further comprises a hinged extension that cooperates with and locks into position a notch providing a safety lock, locking the panel clip within the latch opening.

22. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 3, further comprising a power distribution apparatus.

23. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 22, wherein the power distribution apparatus further comprises a plug tower and receptacle extensions, the receptacle extension having wires extending therefrom that route through the passageways of the panels and connect to the plug tower and wherein the plug tower affixes to the panels.

24. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 23, wherein the plug tower further comprises a line fault reset button.

25. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 23, wherein the plug tower further comprises a power on light indicator.

26. The raised flooring panel assembly of claim 23, wherein the plug tower is adapted to provide surge suppression.

27. A molded integrated raised panel flooring, comprising: a plurality of panels having an upper surface, a lower structure, and a latch opening, the panels conforming to a floor; a passage formed through the lower structure of the panels creating an opening between the panels and the floor; a panel clip adapted to fit in the latch opening and to lock the panels together wherein the locked panels form a flooring surface; a plurality of cross ribbed cells molded on the lower structure of the panel; and a power distribution apparatus affixed to the panel.

28. The flooring of claim 27, wherein the power distribution apparatus further comprises a plug tower and receptacle extensions, the receptacle extension having wires extending therefrom that route through the passages of the panels and connect to the plug tower and wherein the plug tower affixes to the panels.

29. The flooring of claim 27, wherein the panel clips further comprises a pair of integrally formed uprights and barbs.

30. The flooring of claim 27, wherein the panel clips further comprises a hinged extension that cooperates with and locks into position a notch providing a safety lock, locking the panel clip within the latch opening.

31. A molded integrated raised panel flooring, comprising: a plurality of panels having an upper surface, a lower structure, and a latch opening in a side portion of the panels, the panels conforming to a floor; a passage formed through the lower structure of the panels creating an opening between the panels and the floor; a panel clip adapted to lock the panels together wherein the locked panels form a flooring surface; and a plurality of cross ribbed cells molded on the lower structure of the panel.