Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Wall – ceiling – or floor designed for utilities – Load-bearing – prefabricated – abutting units with aligned...
Patent
1997-02-18
1998-12-15
Friedman, Carl D.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Wall, ceiling, or floor designed for utilities
Load-bearing, prefabricated, abutting units with aligned...
52 98, 522205, 522208, E04C 252
Patent
active
058485066
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an access floor having a lengthwise and breadthwise groove structure between floor panels units or blocks wherein wiring is arranged in the lengthwise and breadthwise grooves between the floor panels.
BACKGROUND ART
There are two types access flooring structures: panel structure and groove structure. When remodeling an ordinary floor into an access floor, the groove structure is more often adopted whereby the space for wiring can be secured to the floor at a lower elevation than the panel structure. As examples of access floor with a groove structure, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 3-29641 discloses an arrangement wherein the wiring space is provided between square panel blocks composed of triangular shaped panel units and covered by flat lid plates. Another Japanese Utility Model Appln discloses an arrangement wherein one or two wiring groove(s) is(are) formed inside the square panel and such groove(s) is(are) covered by flat lid plate(s).
According to the former example, legs are formed on the back of corners of each panel unit, and adjoining legs are combined by holder plates which can be bent to comply with the irregularity of the structural floor with its own weight. The upper portion of the panel is combined only by a partial binding member which is provided at the four corners of rectangular cover plates so that the panels can be removed easily. In this formation, the holder plate is apt to be distorted during transport and other handling, and the relative position of units comprising a panel cannot be properly fixed. Moreover, as the cover plate does not change shape, the partially bound portion of the panel is easily torn off with the distortion of the holder plate portion. As such, it is difficult to maintain the square shape of a panel which causes hardship in handling and often production of noise as well. A weak and insufficient connection easily leads to displacement during earthquakes or other shaking. The connection may be improved by cutting out a portion of the flat cover plate and fixing that portion to each panel unit to temporally fix their positions, but this does not sufficiently solve all the above-mentioned problems.
According to the latter example, the bottom of the wiring groove is made thin and flexible so that the groove can be made to comply with the irregularity of the structural floor. This causes the easy deformation of the floor as the relative positions of the grooves are not fixed. Even when the cover plates are placed and a wide floor is constructed, grooves are not connected with each other and apt to produce noise or easily slip off during earthquakes and other shaking.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to solve these problems by providing an access floor with a groove structure which can be placed in compliance with the irregularity of the structural floor; with the grooves being connected with each other with sufficient strength; eliminating unsteadiness and its enhancing its capacity to resist earthquakes and other shaking; which can be manufactured at a lower net cost and which can be easily handled and assembled.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an access floor system with a groove structure for wiring wherein the groove is formed between a plurality of panel blocks. The panel blocks are composed of panel units and placed in squares on the structural floor. The groove structure is covered by lid panels, the panel block has a flat upper surface, sidewalls and slot inserts of U-letter shape which are formed at a middle portion of the sidewall and into which the vertical walls of the lid panels are inserted. The lid panel has a horizontal wall and the aforementioned vertical walls hang downward therefrom.
As the vertical walls of the lid panels are held by the slot insert of the panel blocks, noises are eliminated and the capacity to resist earthquakes and other shaking is strengthened. Further, as panel blocks and lid panels a
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Akagi Takaaki
Kanzaki Manabu
Kobayashi Tokuzo
Brown Michael J.
Fishman Irving M.
Friedman Carl D.
Om Kiki Kabushiki Kaisha
Wilkens Kevin D.
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