Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Three-way corner construction – Barrier resting on top of vertical structures; e.g. – walls
Patent
1988-07-08
1990-04-10
Murtagh, John E.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Three-way corner construction
Barrier resting on top of vertical structures; e.g., walls
E04B 500
Patent
active
049148818
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
THIS INVENTION relates to a modular access flooring system which may be laid over a load-bearing base floor in a building to create a space in which wires, cables and pipes may be laid.
(2) Prior Art
Many types of access flooring systems have been developed to accommodate the electrical wiring and other utility services found in modern office environments. Examples of these are disclosed in GB No. 1236484, DE No. 2043633 and DE No. 2107898 (all by Central Flooring Ltd.) DE No. 2328179 (Staeger); DE No. 2348764 (Goldbach GmbH); DE No. 2900759 (Marbeton); EP No. 0142997 (Taisei Corporation); AT No. 369090 (Voest-Alpine); U.S. Pat. No. 2867301 (Benton); U.S. Pat. No. 3318057 (Norsworthy) and U.S. No. 4279109 (Madl).
None of these systems have proved satisfactory. Installation is slow and laborious as the pedestals must be fixed to the base floor in carefully spaced arrangements to ensure the correct relationship of the floor panels and the pedestals must be adjusted in height to accommodate any variations in the base floor. The panels are prone to rock or tilt as loads move over them and the pedestals must be realigned if the base floor should settle or move. The steel components in the pedestals and grid frames can cause electrical interference in the electrical wires and cables.
Other specific problems arise in each of the known systems.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an access flooring system which is simple and quick to install and which comprises the minimum number of components.
It is a preferred object to provide a system where the pedestals are free-standing on the base floor and where the pedestals and panels are stable i.e. they are rock-rattle proof.
It is a further preferred object to provide a system where the pedestals and panels are interlocked by means which accurately position the components as the system is installed and which maintain the system automatically and continuously aligned with the base floor.
It is a still further preferred object to provide a system where the components are formed of glass-reinforced concrete so they will not corrode, rust or deteriorate and the system has a good fire rating and excellent acoustic properties.
Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
In a broad aspect the present invention resides in an access flooring system including:
a plurality of spaced, free-standing support pedestals arranged to stand on a base floor; and
a plurality of substantially planar floor panels removably supportable on the pedestals, each panel having a top surface and a bottom surface; wherein:
each floor panel has a plurality of interlocking means on its bottom surface engageable with respective complementary interlocking means on the pedestals to locate the floor panel in respect to adjacent floor panels; and
each pedestal has a plurality of feet engageable with the base floor.
The interlocking means on the panels may comprise moulded projections, or recesses, on the bottom faces of panels which are engageable with complementary moulded recesses, or projections respectively, as the top surfaces of the pedestals.
Preferably the projections and recesses are of complementary hemispherical configuration to provide a ball and socket type connection between the panels and the pedestals.
Preferably the panels are substantially triangular in plan view with the projections or recesses adjacent the corners. The corners of the panels may be rebated so that at the junction of six of the panels, a hexagonal interstilial hole is provided between the panels which may be filled with a hexagonal infill member or cap.
Preferably the panels are moulded from glass-reinforced concrete, glass-reinforced plastic or other suitable material. The panels may have a peripheral rim around the bottom face and be provided with one or more "knock-out" pieces defined by grooves formed in the bottom face.
Preferably the pedestals are of in
REFERENCES:
patent: 719790 (1903-02-01), Gregory
patent: 2867301 (1959-01-01), Benton
patent: 3096695 (1963-07-01), Reinhardt
patent: 3295272 (1967-01-01), Kanno
patent: 3318057 (1967-05-01), Norsworthy
patent: 3494381 (1970-02-01), Fork
patent: 3903667 (1975-09-01), Zetlin
patent: 4279109 (1981-07-01), Madl, Jr.
patent: 4719727 (1988-01-01), Cooper
Murtagh John E.
Techfloor Pty. Ltd.
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