Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Facer held by stiffener-type frame – Back-to-back facers spaced by concealed framing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-10
2001-02-06
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Facer held by stiffener-type frame
Back-to-back facers spaced by concealed framing
C296S181700, C296S182100, C296S183100, C296S204000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182411
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
The invention concerns a structural component for vehicle flooring, particular for motor vehicles, consisting of a bottom plate and a number of profile parts for the attachment of equipment components to the floor.
This type of structural flooring components are known in various embodiments. Generally, the profile parts are screwed onto the bottom plate or are welded to it, in order to attach the respective equipment components, such as consoles for seating benches, individual seats or similar. A careful installation of the profile parts is required in order to attach them at the necessary distance from each other and with the required parallel placement if e.g., they are used for the sliding rail for vehicle seats.
The invention is based on the problem to suggest a structural flooring component of the above cited type which assures a particularly good versatility and a high degree of stability.
According to the invention, the solution to the problem consists of the fact that a structural flooring component of the type cited in the beginning is constructed in such a manner that the bottom plate contains a large number of built-in support surfaces which are constructed with their bottom side offset downward from the main surface of the bottom plate, and that the support surfaces hold in each case a flooring connection profile, of which the crosswise extension is smaller than that of the support surface.
The problem is solved in a satisfactory manner by the structural flooring component according to the invention. Due to the fact that the bottom plate has molded-in support surfaces for holding the flooring connection profiles, they can be installed in a particularly simple manner. In addition, such a structural flooring component has a particularly high degree of stability which is supported or even increased by the fact that the flooring connection profiles are connected to or into these molded-in support surfaces.
In a further development of the structural flooring component it is suggested that the support surfaces run at set intervals and possibly parallel and/or crosswise to each other. In this manner, the installation is made still simpler, as the orientation for the connecting flooring profiles is already provided.
A special embodiment of the structural flooring component provides that the support surfaces are formed by molded-in channels and hold, in each case, a connecting flooring profile with a cross section that fits into the cross section of the channel. With these measures, the rigidity of the structural flooring component is further increased as the result is an integral construction with the inserted flooring connection profiles.
In a further development of the invention it is provided that all the channels in the bottom plate have the same cross section along their whole length and that all the flooring connection profiles have the same complementary cross section.
These measures provide in a favorable manner a great variability for outfitting the structural flooring component, as the various flooring connection profiles can naturally be inserted into the respective channels as desired.
It is particularly advantageous if the cross section of the channels is quadrangular, particularly rectangular, and the able to accept within its space the flooring connection profiles, constructed as extruded section with adjustable or fixed length.
In this manner it is possible to very simply adjust the flooring connection profiles and to install them in the respective channels.
In a further development of the invention it is provided that the flooring connection profiles fit in an essentially flush manner with the main surface of the bottom plate. In this manner, a particularly compact arrangement is created which is essentially flat on its upper surface, that is particularly suitable as (expanded) loading platform, as transported goods will not be damaged by flooring connection profiles.
In a special embodiment of the structural flooring component according to the invention it is provided that the flooring connection profiles are designed as installation modules which have the same outline in their cross section, particularly rectangular or trapeze shaped, and which provide on their support surface, i.e., the top side away from the channel, various openings for attaching the various equipment components.
The trapeze shaped cross section can expand in the direction of the top side if an interlocking insertion of the flooring connection profiles is desired. Alternatively, it is possible for the trapeze shaped cross section to taper towards the top side, so that the flooring connection profiles obtain a stable support surface which sits flatly on the support surface.
In a further development of such a structural flooring component it is provided that the openings on the top side of the flooring connection profiles are rectangular, slot shaped, round or key hole shaped and, if necessary, provided with tie-down eyelets.
Using these measures a large variation of equipment components or transport goods can be attached in a favorable manner.
In one embodiment of the structural flooring component according to the invention it is provided that the flooring connection profiles are permanently attached to the bottom plate, e.g., by welding. In another preferred embodiment of the structural flooring component according to the invention it is provided that the flooring connection profiles are attached to the bottom plate in a removable manner, e.g., by means of screws. In this latter case it is possible to exchange the flooring connection profiles at any time to satisfy possibly changing requirements as may occur in actual use. In this manner, the variability of use is further enhanced.
In a special embodiment of the invention it is provided that the bottom areas of the channels have threaded borings which permit the installation of flooring connection profiles by means of screws, whereby the screw heads can, if necessary, be countersunk on the inside of the flooring connection profiles. In this manner, a particularly compact module with high rigidity is attained without the attachment screws providing an undesirable intrusion.
In another special embodiment of the structural flooring component it is provided that the flooring connection profiles are attached to the bottom plate by means of cross-sections, each of which will extend across a channel with inserted flooring connection profile and is screwed onto the bottom plate in the areas next to the channels. In such an embodiment, the screws are accommodated in the available space next to the channels.
In another special embodiment of the structural flooring component according to the invention it is provided that the channels have threaded bolts protruding towards the main surface of the bottom plate which can be attached through the corresponding openings in the floor of the flooring connection profiles with nuts applied there. With such an embodiment it is easy the adjust the flooring connection profiles and to fasten them in the desired position, whereby, in this case, the nuts and the bolts can be accommodated within the inside space of the flooring connection profiles.
The structural flooring component according to the invention is suitable, e.g, for passenger cars or station wagons in which seats, consoles or components for tradesmen's vehicles have to be attached. The channels in the bottom plate are provided either in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle or in a crosswise direction of the vehicle. The structural flooring component is equally suited for transport vehicles, such as moving vans or similar, as the structural flooring component has a high degree of rigidity, provides a high degree of variability due to its modular design and also gives a great variety of attachment possibilities without hindering or even damaging the transported goods during loading, unloading or transport.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2692032 (1954-10-01), Peterson
patent: 3080021 (1963-03-01), Muir
patent: 4906021 (1990-03-01), Rowe et
Ganser Antje
Groche Peter
Koblischke Alexander
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Chavez Patrick J.
Friedman Carl D.
Lear Corporation
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