U.S. patent application number 09/855891 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-07 for access floor system.
Invention is credited to Mead, Bruce E., Scissom, James D., Zeif, Alex.
Application Number | 20020026757 09/855891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22756342 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020026757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scissom, James D. ; et
al. |
March 7, 2002 |
Access floor system
Abstract
An access floor system including an access floor panel having a
top surface and an opposite bottom surface and at least one
pedestal. The pedestal includes a base portion for resting on a
subfloor, a head portion and a jack interconnecting the base
portion and the head portion, the head portion having an upper
surface for engaging the bottom surface of the floor panel. A
selected one of the upper surface of the head portion of the
pedestal or the bottom surface of the floor panel comprises a
protrusion extending therefrom, and the other of the upper surface
of the head portion or bottom surface of the floor panel defines a
receptacle therein, the receptacle being of a size to
complementarily and detachably engage the protrusion. It is noted
that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring
an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain
quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. The
abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be
used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims
pursuant to 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.72(b).
Inventors: |
Scissom, James D.;
(Summerville, SC) ; Zeif, Alex; (Summerville,
SC) ; Mead, Bruce E.; (Mississauga, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALLAN G. ALTERA, ESQUIRE
NEEDLE & ROSENBERG, P.C.
SUITE 1200, THE CANDLER BUILDING
127 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA
GA
30303-1811
US
|
Family ID: |
22756342 |
Appl. No.: |
09/855891 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60204034 |
May 15, 2000 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/220.2 ;
52/220.1; 52/262; 52/263; 52/283 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02417 20130101;
E04F 15/0247 20130101; E04F 15/02423 20130101; E04F 15/02452
20130101; E04F 15/02429 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/220.2 ;
52/262; 52/263; 52/283; 52/220.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 002/52 |
Claims
What i claim is:
1. An access floor system, comprising: a. an access floor panel
having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface; and b. at
least one pedestal comprising a base portion for resting on a
subfloor, a head portion and a jack interconnecting the base
portion and the head portion, the head portion having an upper
surface for engaging the bottom surface of the floor panel, wherein
a selected one of the upper surface of the head portion of the
pedestal or the bottom surface of the floor panel comprises a
protrusion extending therefrom, and wherein the other of the upper
surface of the head portion or bottom surface of the floor panel
defines a receptacle therein, the receptacle being of a size to
complementarily and detachably engage the protrusion.
2. The access floor system of claim 1, wherein the protrusion
extends from the upper surface of the head portion and the bottom
surface of the floor panel defines the receptacle therein.
3. The access floor system of claim 1, wherein the protrusion
extends from the bottom surface of the floor panel and the upper
surface of the head portion defines the receptacle therein.
4. The access floor system of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is
permanently attached to the upper surface of the head portion.
5. The access floor system of claim 2, wherein the head portion is
formed of a selected material and the protrusion is integrally
formed from the same selected material that forms the head
portion.
6. The access floor system of claim 1, wherein the protrusion and
receptacle form an interference fit therebetween.
7. The access floor system of claim 1, wherein a selected one of
the protrusion or the receptacle comprises a pliable material
capable of repeated deformation.
8. The access floor system of claim 7, wherein the receptacle
comprises a bushing fabricated of a pliable material capable of
repeated deformation.
9. The access floor system of claim 8, wherein the protrusion
extends from the upper surface of the head portion and the bottom
surface of the floor panel defines the receptacle therein and
wherein at least a portion of the bushing extends below the bottom
surface of the floor panel.
10. The access floor system of claim 1, wherein the receptacle
comprises an inner bore having a non-uniform cross section in side
view.
11. The access floor system of claim 10, wherein the inner bore
comprises a detent therein for detachably engaging the
protrusion.
12. The access floor system of claim 1, wherein the head portion is
substantially square having four comers and comprises four
protrusions, one protrusion extending from the upper surface of the
head portion adjacent each comer thereof.
13. The access floor system of claim 12, wherein the floor panel is
substantially square having four corners and defines four
receptacles therein, one receptacle adjacent each corner thereof,
each receptacle for receiving a respective one of the four
protrusions therein.
14. An access floor system, comprising: a. an access floor panel
having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface; and b. at
least one pedestal having a base portion, a head portion and a jack
having a jack length interconnecting the base portion and the head
portion, the base portion for resting on a subfloor and the head
portion for engaging the bottom surface of the floor panel, wherein
the jack is adjustable along a substantially vertical longitudinal
axis between the base portion and the head portion for varying the
jack length.
15. The access floor system of claim 14, wherein the jack comprises
a first sleeve and a complementary second sleeve of a size to
complementarily interconnect to the first sleeve, the first sleeve
attached to the base portion and the second sleeve attached to the
head portion, the first and second sleeves being in coaxial
telescopic relation to each other.
16. The access floor system of claim 15, wherein the first sleeve
is larger than the second sleeve, and wherein the at least a
portion of the inner surface of the first sleeve engages at least a
portion of the outer surface of the second sleeve.
17. The access floor system of claim 16, wherein the first sleeve
and second sleeve are cylindrical, and wherein at least a portion
of the inner surface of the first sleeve and at least a portion of
the outer surface of the second sleeve comprise complementary
threads so that the first and second sleeves are in threaded
engagement with each other.
18. The access floor system of claim 17, wherein the base portion
comprises a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, the bottom
surface for contacting the subfloor and the top surface connected
to the jack, the base portion further comprising at least one tab
protruding from the top surface of the base portion.
19. The access floor system of claim 17, wherein the base portion
comprises a top surface and an opposite bottom surface, the bottom
surface for contacting the subfloor and the top surface connected
to the jack, the base portion further comprising at least one tab
protruding from the outer surface of the first sleeve.
20. An access floor system, comprising: a. an access floor panel
having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface; b. at least
one pedestal having a base portion, a head portion and a jack
having a jack length interconnecting the base portion and the head
portion, the base portion for resting on a subfloor and the head
portion for engaging the bottom surface of the floor panel; and c.
means for varying the length of the jack along a substantially
vertical longitudinal axis between the base portion and the head
portion.
21. A method of forming an access floor system, comprising: a.
providing an access floor panel having a top surface and an
opposite bottom surface; b. providing at least one pedestal
comprising a base portion for resting on a subfloor, a head portion
and a jack interconnecting the base portion and the head portion,
the head portion having an upper surface for engaging the bottom
surface of the floor panel, wherein a the upper surface of the head
portion of the pedestal comprises a protrusion extending therefrom,
and wherein the bottom surface of the floor panel defines a
receptacle therein, the receptacle being of a size to
complementarily and detachably engage the protrusion; and c.
assembling the access floor panel and the at least one pedestal by
inserting a selected protrusion into a selected receptacle.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/204,034, filed on May 15, 2000. The
60/204,034 provisional patent application is herein incorporated by
this reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to access floor systems, and
specifically to an access floor system which provides for
detachable engagement between a pedestal and an access floor
panel.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Access flooring systems, also referred to as "raised
floors," "computer floors," or "elevated floors," have been
utilized in a variety of applications in which a plenum beneath a
floor surface is required by the user. Traditionally, access floor
systems have been heavily utilized in computer room environments,
in which a significant amount of interstitial space beneath the
floor structure is required to accommodate and manage cables,
components and other electrical services. Increasingly, however,
demand for access floor systems has grown as usage of access floor
systems has become more common in other building environments such
as cleanrooms, equipment rooms, and general purpose office space.
Such applications benefit from other uses of the access floor
plenum, such as the capability of housing HVAC componentry or other
mechanical services.
[0006] An access floor system is made up of a plurality of
individual square, modular access floor panels supported by
adjustable height pedestals. When assembled, the access floor
panels form a deck upon which the contents of the room rest. Each
access floor panel is a modular unit, which is removable,
replaceable, and interchangeable with other panels. Each panel is
constructed to meet the performance requirements of the entire
floor system, including, for example, load bearing requirements,
combustibility resistance, and corrosion resistance.
[0007] Installation of an access floor system in any building
environment results in a reduction in the amount of occupant space
in the building interior due to the plenum area created by the
floor system. Whether the floor system is retrofitted into an
existing building for which access floors were not originally
contemplated, or installed in a building which was designed and
constructed to accommodate conventional access floors, efficient
space utilization is always a design concern. Existing buildings,
for example, often have low ceilings which will not allow for
utilization of an access floor system with pedestals measuring 24"
or more in height. In construction of new buildings, significant
savings may be realized from optimization of the access floor
system profile for a given overall plenum area requirement. For
example, a reduction in an access floor system overall height of 75
mm, assuming a 40-story building with access floors on each level,
results in a reduction in building height of 3 meters, or the
equivalent of one story. Thus, it is advantageous to provide an
access flooring system which provides efficient space utilization
for a range of specified plenum area requirements.
[0008] Access floor systems of the prior art generally include a
range of components, including access floor panels, pedestals,
connection hardware for attaching the panels to pedestals, and
stringers, which maintain consistent spacing between pedestal when
individual panels are removed for replacement or to access the
plenum. Difficulty and expense of installation, removal and
servicing of the access floor system is obviously related to the
complexity involved in assembly of the access floor system and is
often proportional to the number of discrete components needed to
fabricate the system. Therefore, it is also advantageous to provide
an access floor system with a minimum of constituent parts, in an
effort to simplify installation and service expense and to reduce
the level of experience and expertise required of installation
personnel.
[0009] Access floor systems of the prior art generally suffer from
one or more deficiencies, including inter-panel misalignment,
difficulty in installation or replacement of individual access
floor panels within the access floor system, difficulty of the
height adjustment of panels within the floor system, and overall
instability of the floor system in response to lateral loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the
present invention which, in one aspect, is an access floor system
having at least one access floor panel which is supported by at
least one pedestal. Each access floor panel has a top surface that
forms the access floor surface and an opposite bottom surface. Each
pedestal is comprised of a base portion which rests on the subfloor
of the room, a head portion which engages the bottom surface of the
access floor panel, and a jack interconnecting the base portion and
the head portion.
[0011] The head portion of the pedestal and the bottom surface of
the panel have a male-female mechanical connection therebetween. A
protrusion extends from either the upper surface of the head
portion of the pedestal or the bottom surface of the floor panel.
The component not having the protrusion defines a corresponding
receptacle of a size to complementarily and detachably engage the
protrusion. Thus, the protrusion may be provided on the upper
surface of the head portion, with a corresponding receptacle
defined by the bottom surface of the floor panel, or vice
versa.
[0012] In another aspect, the jack has an adjustable jack length
between the base portion and the head portion. The jack is
adjustable along a substantially vertical longitudinal axis between
the base portion and the head portion.
[0013] In one embodiment, the jack comprises a first sleeve
attached to the base portion and a complementary second sleeve
attached to the head portion, the second sleeve being of a size to
complementarily interconnect to the first sleeve. In one
embodiment, the first and second sleeves are in coaxial telescopic
relation to each other, such that at least a portion of the inner
surface of the first sleeve engages at least a portion of the outer
surface of the second sleeve. The first and second sleeves are
cylindrical, and at least a portion of both the inner surface of
the first sleeve and the outer surface of the second sleeve are
complementarily threaded so that the first and second sleeves are
in adjustable threaded engagement with each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of an
embodiment of the improved access floor system according to the
present invention with certain parts broken away for clarity and
other elements shown in phantom lines.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a section taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the head
portion of the pedestal according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of an
embodiment of the receptacle in FIG. 2 according to the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the base
portion of the pedestal according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a section taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a sectional top plan view of a group of access
floor panels assembled to form a portion of a floor system, with
underlying pedestals shown in phantom lines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention is more particularly described in the
following examples that are intended as illustrative only since
numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and in the
claims, "a," "an," or "the" can mean one or more, depending upon
the context in which it is used. The preferred embodiment is now
described with reference to the figures, in which like numbers
indicate like parts throughout the figures.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the invention comprises an improved
access floor system 10 having at least one access floor panel 20
which is supported by at least one pedestal 30. Typical
installations of complete access floor systems 10 will fill an
entire room, or an entire level of a building, with a matrix of
access floor panels. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, in an embodiment
having a plurality of square floor panels 20, each panel 20 is
supported at each of its four comers with a pedestal 30 which
maintains the plenum space 12 between the subfloor 14 (shown in
FIG. 2) and the access floor panels 20. In such a configuration,
each pedestal 30 may support corner of four adjoining or abutting
access floor panels 20. Other pedestal configurations utilizing
more or fewer pedestals 30, however, are possible, provided
adequate load support is maintained.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, each access floor panel 20
has a top surface 22 and an opposite bottom surface 24. Access
floor panels 20 may be constructed of a variety of materials. In
some embodiments, the floor panel 20 includes an outer shell 26
constructed of sheet steel, aluminum or other suitable materials.
The shell 26 may be filled with core material 28, such as
lightweight concrete, plastic, composite or wood, or may be left
hollow. In other embodiments, the floor panel 20 may be constructed
completely of solid wood or other structurally acceptable material.
The top surface 22 of the floor panel 20 optionally may be covered
with a covering (not shown), such as a high pressure laminate
("HPL"), vinyl, or carpet.
[0027] Each pedestal 30 is comprised of a base portion 40 which
rests on the subfloor 14, a head portion 50 for engaging the access
floor panel 20, and a jack 60 interconnecting the base portion 40
and the head portion 50. The jack 60 has a jack length L extending
between the base and head portions 40, 50 which may be adjustable,
such that the height of the pedestal 30, and thus the plenum space
12 beneath the access floor system 10, may be controlled by the
user. The head portion 50 of the pedestal 30 and the bottom surface
24 of the floor panel 20 preferably have a male-female mechanical
connection therebetween. A protrusion 70 extends from either the
upper surface 52 of the head portion 50 of the pedestal 30 or the
bottom surface 24 of the floor panel 20. The component not having
the protrusion 70 defines a corresponding receptacle 80 of a size
to complementarily and detachably engage the protrusion 70. Thus,
as illustrated in the embodiments shown throughout the figures, the
protrusion 70 may be provided on the upper surface 52 of the head
portion 50, with a corresponding receptacle 80 defined by the
bottom surface 24 of the floor panel 20.
[0028] Alternatively, the protrusion 70 may be on the bottom
surface 24 of the floor panel 20 with the corresponding receptacle
80 defined by the upper surface 52 of the head portion 50. Another
alternative is that the upper surface 52 of the head portion 50 has
at least one protrusion 70 and at least one receptacle 80, and that
the bottom surface 24 of the floor panel 20 also has at least one
receptacle 80 and at least one protrusion 70 capable of engaging
the corresponding protrusion 70 or receptacle 80 on the other
component. It is further contemplated that one comer of the floor
panel 20 may include a protrusion 70 while another comer of the
same panel 20 may include a receptacle 80.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the head portion 50 of the pedestal
30 may be fabricated from a sheet metal blank, stamped or otherwise
manufactured to the specifications described herein. The head
portion 50 may also be fabricated of other materials, such as
aluminum or hard plastic, as will be apparent to one skilled in the
art. Optional holes or apertures 56 may be drilled or stamped into
the head portion 50 to eliminate nonessential component weight, to
allow for drainage of fluids through the head portion 50 or for any
other desired purpose.
[0030] The head portion 50 has an upper surface 52 which supports
the access floor panel 20 and an opposite lower surface 54 which
engages the jack 60. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one
protrusion 70, which is sized to engage a corresponding receptacle
80 within the access floor panel 20, depends from the upper surface
52 of the head portion 50.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, four protrusions 70 are
provided on a square head portion 50 to allow for attachment of the
head portion 50 to the comers of four adjacent square access floor
panels 20. The protrusions 70 are attached to the upper surface 52
of the head portion 50. One skilled in the art will recognize that
various fastening methods, including welding or adhesive or other
mechanical or chemical fastening methods may be suitable for
attaching the protrusions 70 to the head portion 50. Alternatively,
the protrusions 70 may be integral to the material which forms the
head portion 50 itself. Additionally, though the head portion 50 is
illustrated as being substantially square in shape, alternate
shapes may be utilized, such as rectangular, round, oval, or any
other suitable shape.
[0032] Still referring to FIGS. 3-5, the head portion 50 may be
manufactured by stamping a sheet metal blank to form the desired
shape, and protrusions 70 may be formed from the same blank of
material from which the head portion 50 is manufactured. After
forming, the protrusions 70 depend from the upper surface 52 of the
head portion 50 and are capable of insertion into a corresponding
receptacle 80 in the access floor panel 20. As described in greater
detail below, the protrusion 70 may be formed in a shape so that at
least a portion of the protrusion 70 corresponds generally to at
least a portion of the shape of the receptacle 80 to enable secure
attachment between the pedestal 30 and access floor panel 20.
[0033] The head portion 50 may be provided in one embodiment with
one or more optional embossments 32 to facilitate resistance
welding of the jack 60 to the head portion 50. In one embodiment,
four embossments 32 are provided on the head portion 50 to
facilitate manufacture of the pedestal 30. The embossments 32
ensure consistent contact between the jack 60 and the head portion
50, and provide concentrated contact areas which enable more
reliable resistance welding of the head portion 50 to the jack
60.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the base portion 40 of the
pedestal 30 is now described in detail. Like the head portion 50,
the base portion 40 may be fabricated from a sheet metal blank,
stamped or otherwise manufactured to the specifications described
herein or from any other suitable material. Holes or apertures 56
may be provided in the base portion 40 for any purpose, including
facilitating attachment of the base portion 40 to the subfloor 14
for added stability. The base portion 40 has a bottom surface 42,
which contacts the building subfloor 14, and an opposite top
surface 44, which engages the jack 60.
[0035] Optional embossments 32 which facilitate resistance welding
may be also imparted to the base portion 40, in a similar
configuration to that described in connection with the head portion
50. As illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, the base portion 40 optionally may
be provided with one or more finger tabs 46 to facilitate
adjustment of the pedestal 30. The finger tabs 46 may be provided
to the base portion 40 by any desired method, including by welding
or otherwise attaching the tabs 46, or by stamping or otherwise
manufacturing the finger tabs 46 from the same material from which
the base portion 40 is manufactured. As described in further detail
below, finger tabs 46 enable manual rotation of the base portion 40
with respect to the head portion 50 of the pedestal 30, which in
turn alters jack length L in the illustrated embodiment.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the protrusion 70 and receptacle
80 are now described in detail. In one embodiment, the receptacle
80 may be integrally formed from the same material that comprises
the floor panel 20. For example, in embodiments wherein the outer
shell 26 of the floor panel 20 is constructed of sheet metal, the
receptacle 80 may be formed into the shell 26 itself by stamping
the receptacle 80 into the sheet metal as part of the manufacturing
process. In another embodiment, the receptacle 80 may be a separate
bushing 82 inserted into the appropriate location on either the
head portion 50 of the pedestal 30 or the floor panel 20. Such a
bushing 82 may be constructed of a variety of different materials,
including metal, plastic or rubber.
[0037] In one preferred embodiment, the receptacle 80 is a pliable
bushing 82, constructed of a plastic, nylon or hard rubber material
which is capable of withstanding repeated deformation. In such an
embodiment, the receptacle 80 should be capable of engaging and
disengaging a protrusion 70 at least once without destroying the
receptacle 80. Preferably, a receptacle 80 material should be
selected, such as those set forth above, that is capable of
withstanding at least several years of normal use, including
repeated engaging and disengaging of the protrusion 70, without
permanent deformation of the receptacle 80. In a currently
preferred embodiment, bushings 82 fabricated of nylon have been
found to produce satisfactory results.
[0038] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment in which the
receptacle 80 is a pliable bushing 82 embedded within the floor
panel 20, such that a small portion 84 of the receptacle 80
protrudes below the bottom surface 24 of the floor panel 20. In
such an embodiment, when used in an access floor system having a
floor panel 20 and head portion 50 constructed of metal, contact
between the metal panel 20 and the metal head portion 50 is
minimized, thus decreasing grinding or squeaking which may occur
when slight relative movement occurs in a metal-to-metal contact.
Instead, as shown in FIG. 1, the protruding portion 84 of the
receptacle 80 bears on the upper surface 52 of the head portion 50
and acts as a cushion, minimizing unwanted vibration and noise
during use of the access floor system 10. However, in other
embodiments, the receptacle 80 may also be disposed within the
floor panel 20 without protruding therefrom.
[0039] Preferably, the receptacle 80 is capable of detachably
engaging the protrusion 70, such that repeated installation and
removal of the access floor panel 20 is possible without
substantial physical degradation of either the protrusion 70 or
receptacle 80. The figures illustrate one such embodiment of the
protrusion 70 and receptacle 80, having a repeatable snap-fit
engagement. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, a receptacle 80 having a
non-uniform inner bore 86 in cross-sectional side view is
illustrated. The inner bore 86 of the receptacle 80 has a first
inner diameter D1 at the end of the receptacle 80 adjacent the
bottom surface 24 of the floor panel 20. The inner bore 86 also has
a second inner diameter D2, which is larger than the first inner
diameter D1, at a location internal to the receptacle 80, forming a
detent internal to the receptacle 80. Thus, the inner bore 86 of
the receptacle 80 is narrower at the point where the protrusion 70
enters the receptacle 80, and becomes wider at a point of deeper
insertion of the protrusion 70.
[0040] Such a receptacle 80 may be dimensioned to complementarily
receive a protrusion 70 such as that illustrated in FIGS. 3-5,
which has a width W2 adjacent its tip 72 which is greater than the
width WI along the rest of its length 74. In such an embodiment,
the protrusion 70 is captured and retained within the receptacle 80
when the floor panel 20 is installed. As the protrusion 70 is
inserted into the receptacle 80, deformation of the inner bore 86
is required to pass the tip 72 of the protrusion 70 through the
receptacle 80 and into the detent therein. By providing a
protrusion tip 72 of a width W2 which is greater than the smallest
inner diameter D1 of the receptacle inner bore 86, but which fits
within a notch 88 created by a step in the inner bore 86, the
desired snap-fit is created. In another embodiment, the protrusion
70 and receptacle 80 may be further dimensioned such that the
selected receptacle material is stressed at levels below its
elastic limit or yield point by insertion and removal of the
protrusion 70. The inner bore 86 may be dimensioned so that the
second inner diameter D2 is slightly less than the width W2 of the
tip 72 of the protrusion 70, so that when the protrusion 70 is
fully inserted into the receptacle 80, the inner bore 86 may be
slightly deformed by the tip 72 of the protrusion 70, preferably
below the elastic limit or yield point of the receptacle material.
Referring now to FIG. 2, in such an embodiment, the receptacle 80
exerts a retaining force on the protrusion 70, tending to hold the
panel 20 in place. Alternatively, the protrusion 70 and receptacle
80 may be dimensioned such that, when assembled, there is clearance
between the protrusion 70 and receptacle 80.
[0041] In other embodiments, either the receptacle 80, protrusion
70, or both may have a uniform shape in cross section. For example,
the protrusion 70 may have a substantially uniform width along its
entire length. Optionally, in such an embodiment, at least part of
the inner bore 86 of the receptacle 80 may contact the protrusion
70 to ensure a tight and secure engagement between the protrusion
70 and receptacle 80. In such a configuration, the protrusion 70
causes a slight deformation of the receptacle 80, or interference
fit, when the floor panel 20 is installed.
[0042] The illustrated embodiment depicts an arrangement wherein
the protrusion 70 is located on the head portion 50 and the
receptacle 80 is within the panel 20. Alternately, the locations of
the protrusion 70 and receptacle 80 may be reversed, such that the
protrusion 70 is located on the floor panel 20 and the receptacle
80 is fixed to the head portion 50. Additionally, though the
receptacle 80 has been described herein as being pliable and
engaging a rigid protrusion 70, the receptacle 80 may be rigid and
may engage a pliable protrusion 70. Alternatively, both the
receptacle 80 and protrusion 70 may be pliable, or both may be
rigid.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, between the head portion 50 and
base portion 40, a jack 60 is provided which enables the installer
of the access floor system to control the height above the subfloor
at which the access floor panels 20 are maintained. The jack 60 has
a jack length L that is adjustable between a minimum and maximum
jack length. The jack 60 is adjustable along a substantially
vertical longitudinal axis A between the base portion 40 and the
head portion 50. Adjustability of individual pedestals 30 allows
the installer to control the height of the entire access floor
system 10, and allows the installer to account for inconsistent
subfloor conditions by adjusting the height of individual pedestals
30 to produce a uniformly level surface condition.
[0044] In one embodiment, each pedestal 30 includes a jack 60
having a first sleeve 62 and a complementary second sleeve 66. The
first sleeve 62 is attached to the top surface 44 of the base
portion 40, and the second sleeve 66 is attached to the lower
surface 54 of the head portion 50. If embossments 32 are provided
on the base portion 40 and head portion 50 as described above, the
corresponding sleeves 62, 66 may be easily affixed to those
structures by resistance welding. Other methods of attachment,
mechanical, chemical or otherwise, may also be utilized to assemble
the pedestal 30.
[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the first sleeve 62 and
second sleeve 66 are cylindrical, however, other shapes, including
but not limited to square, rectangular, or oval cross sections,
will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The second sleeve 66 is
sized to complementarily interconnect with the first sleeve 62,
such that the first and second sleeves 62, 66 operate in coaxial
telescopic relation to each other. In such an embodiment, the first
sleeve 62 may be larger than the second sleeve 66, such that the
inner dimensions of the second sleeve 66 are at least slightly
larger than the outer dimensions of the first sleeve 62.
Alternatively, the relative dimensions of the first and second
sleeves 62, 66 may be opposite of the illustrated embodiment, such
that the first sleeve 62 fits within the second sleeve 66. The jack
length L may then be adjusted by moving the first and second
sleeves 62, 66 relative to each other along the axis A.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the
inner surface 64 of the first sleeve 62 and at least a portion of
the outer surface 68 of the second sleeve 66 comprise complementary
threads 69 so that the first and second sleeves 62, 66 are in
threaded engagement with each other. In such an embodiment, the
jack length L may be adjusted by rotating the first and second
sleeves 62, 66 relative to each other. When the desired jack length
L is reached, the frictional forces between the threaded sleeves
are sufficient to maintain the position of the jack 60, and thereby
maintain the desired jack length L.
[0047] Such a configuration facilitates assembly and height
adjustment of access floor panels 20 by allowing the installer
convenient and precise control over the spacing between the head
portion 50 and the base portion 40 of the pedestal 30. To adjust
the height of any pedestal 30, the installer need only remove an
adjacent access floor panel 20, grasp the base portion 40, and
rotate the base portion 40 in either direction.
[0048] As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, to facilitate adjustment of jack
length L by the installer, one or more finger tabs 46 or other
grasping means may be provided which protrude from the base portion
40. Such finger tabs 46 may be welded to the top surface 44 of the
base portion 40, stamped from the material which makes up the base
portion 40 itself, or provided by other securing means (not shown).
Alternatively, finger tabs or other grasping means may be provided
on the jack 60, such as on the exterior of the first sleeve 62.
[0049] When adjustment of the jack 60 produces a satisfactory floor
surface and plenum space 12, the base portion 40 may optionally be
fastened to the subfloor 14 by adhesive, bolts, or other means (not
shown). As discussed in more detail below, attachment of the base
portion 40 to the subfloor 14 contributes to added stability of the
system 10 under normal use conditions.
[0050] The above description pertains to one preferred embodiment
of the jack 60, and is not intended to foreclose other embodiments
of the jack 60. For example, a strip gear jack, automotive jack or
other jack (not shown) may be utilized. As a further example,
sleeves without threads (not shown) may be utilized instead of the
threaded sleeves described above, and a plurality of holes (not
shown) may be formed along the longitudinal sides of the first and
second sleeves 62, 66, such that the sleeves may be pinned to one
another through selected aligned holes to maintain a selected jack
length L. Other embodiments of the jack 60, which are regarded as
being within the scope of the present invention, will be apparent
to those skilled in the art.
[0051] According to the invention, stability of the access floor
system 10 under lateral loading conditions is improved over the
existing state of the art. For purposes of this specification,
"lateral loading" refers to forces exerted on the access floor
panel 20 parallel to its top surface 22, and perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis A of the pedestals 30. Lateral loading of access
floor systems is a common occurrence caused primarily by foot
traffic or by sliding or rolling of objects from one individual
panel 20 to a neighboring panel 20. Attachment of the base portion
40 to the subfloor 14 as described above provides some contribution
to lateral stability. Lateral stability is drastically improved,
however, by providing a pedestal 30 having a wide diameter jack 60
and large base portion 40 and head portion 50 footprints.
[0052] A large-footprint base portion 40 and head portion 50
improves resistance of the access floor system 10 to lateral
loading by reducing the tendency of the pedestal 30 to tip and rock
under lateral loads. Additionally, use of an increased outer
diameter in the components which make up the jack 60, i.e., the
first and second sleeves 62, 66 as described in the embodiment
above, reduces the stresses concentrated at the points of
connection between the jack 60 and the head portion 50 and base
portion 40. Thus, a wide-stance pedestal 30 with a more rigid frame
is produced according to the invention disclosed herein. In turn,
instability and rocking of the access floor system 10 under lateral
loads applied during use of the access floor system 10 are
minimized.
[0053] An additional feature of the improved access floor system 10
is that the system provides for automatic alignment of the access
floor panels 20 with respect to one another. Because the location
of the protrusions 70 on the head portion 50 and the receptacles 80
within the access floor panels 20 may be controlled, those
locations may be selected to provide consistent spacing between
neighboring panels 20.
[0054] The above described pedestal 30 and its constituent
components may be utilized to construct access floor system 10
using a broad variety of access floor panels 20. For example, the
"low profile" access floor system which is depicted in the figures
may be created, in which the panel 20 has a nominal thickness of
1/2" and is a 12" .times.12" square in its outer perimeter. As
shown in FIG. 1, the panel 20 in such a system is a composite
laminate in which a core of cement board, particle board, plastic
core material or other similar material is encased in sheet metal.
Other access floor system configurations may also be constructed
according to the invention, incorporating access floor panels 20
made of steel, cement, aluminum, wood, or other materials. The
invention may be utilized in panel systems having any selected
panel dimensions, including "standard" 24" .times.24" panels.
Additionally, a plurality of plenum dimensions may be provided by
different embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiment
provides an adjustable plenum which ranges from 1.250" to 2.125".
Alternate systems may be constructed according to the invention
which provide 24" or more of plenum space.
[0055] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is
not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations
upon the scope of the invention except as and to the extent that
they are included in the accompanying claims.
* * * * *