U.S. patent application number 09/887772 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-26 for structurally integrated accessible floor system.
Invention is credited to Roen, Roger.
Application Number | 20020194806 09/887772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25391824 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020194806 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roen, Roger |
December 26, 2002 |
Structurally integrated accessible floor system
Abstract
A floor system for a building that includes primary and
secondary structural supports, a grid attached to the supports, and
a plurality of panels removably mounted in the grid to provide
access to the space below the panels and the grid. The floor system
replaces conventional permanent structural floors, and provides
ready access to the underlying space which would otherwise be
inaccessible in a conventional floor.
Inventors: |
Roen, Roger; (Spokane,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE
SUITE 6300
SEATTLE
WA
98104-7092
US
|
Family ID: |
25391824 |
Appl. No.: |
09/887772 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/506.01 ;
52/506.03; 52/506.07; 52/506.09; 52/507 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 5/48 20130101; E04B
5/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/506.01 ;
52/506.03; 52/506.07; 52/506.09; 52/507 |
International
Class: |
E04B 002/00 |
Claims
1. A floor for a building, comprising: a plurality of primary
structural building members; a plurality of spaced-apart secondary
structural building members spanning the primary building members,
each one of the plurality of spaced-apart secondary structural
building members having a top surface and a bottom surface; a
support grid on the top surfaces of the secondary building members
and configured to receive panels; and a plurality of panels mounted
on the support grid to form a floor, each of the plurality of
panels individually removable from the support grid to provide
access to the space between the plurality of spaced-apart secondary
structural building members.
2. The floor of claim 1, comprising means for fastening the
plurality of panels individually to the support grid.
3. The floor of claim 1, comprising a system for leveling the
floor.
4. The floor of claim 1 wherein the leveling system comprises a
plurality of structures individually interposed between each of the
plurality of spaced apart secondary structural building members and
the support grid, and individually adjustable to vary a distance
between each of the plurality of spaced apart secondary structural
building members and the support grid.
5. The floor of claim 1 wherein the plurality of panels comprises
at least one panel configured to enable the passage of gas from a
first side of the at least one panel to a second side of the at
least one panel.
6. The floor of claim 5, comprising a partition in the space
between the plurality of spaced apart secondary structural building
members to subdivide a plenum formed by the floor.
7. The floor of claim 1, comprising a fire resistant barrier
affixed to the bottom surfaces of the plurality of spaced apart
secondary structural building members.
8. The floor of claim 1 wherein the plurality of panels are
configured to dampen sound transmission.
9. The floor of claim 1 wherein a major axis of the support grid is
oriented at about 90 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the
plurality of spaced apart secondary structural building
members.
10. The floor of claim 1 wherein a major axis of the support grid
is oriented at about 45 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the
plurality of spaced apart secondary structural building
members.
11. A floor structure for use with a primary support system, the
structure, comprising: means adapted for spanning a primary support
system to provide a secondary support system; means for supporting
a plurality of floor panels on the spanning means, the supporting
means configured to enable removal of individual floor panels to
provide access to a space beneath the panels and between the
supporting means; and means for adjusting the position of the
supporting means on the spanning means.
12. The structure of claim 11 wherein the supporting means
comprises a grid having a plurality of openings, each of the
plurality of openings configured to receive one of the plurality of
floor panels.
13. The structure of claim 11, further comprising means for
fastening each of the plurality of floor panels to the supporting
means.
14. A floor structure, comprising: a plurality of horizontal
structural members held in a spaced-apart relationship; a grid
assembly, attached to the plurality of horizontal structural
members, and having a plurality of first and second intersecting
grid members defining a plurality of openings; and a plurality of
panels, each sized and shaped to be individually and removably
engaged with the grid assembly to cover the plurality of
openings.
15. The structure of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of
panels is removable to provide access to a space beneath the
plurality of panels and between the plurality of horizontal
structural members.
16. The structure of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of
panels is configured to fit within a respective opening, and each
panel includes an upper surface configured to extend over a portion
of those of the plurality of grid members that form the respective
opening.
17. The structure of claim 16 wherein each the plurality of panels
is provided with a flexible gasket surrounding the upper surface,
such that when the plurality of panels are placed within contiguous
ones of the plurality of openings, adjacent flexible gaskets engage
one another.
18. The structure of claim 16 wherein the plurality of panels
comprises at least one panel configured to enable gas to pass from
a first side to a second side.
19. The structure of claim 16 wherein the plurality of panels
comprises at least one panel configured to distribute power via an
electrical outlet.
20. The structure of claim 16 wherein each of the plurality of
panels is configured to dampen sound transmission from one of the
plurality of panels to a contiguous one of the plurality of
panels.
21. The structure of claim 16 wherein each of the plurality of
panels is configured to be removably attached to the grid
assembly.
22. The structure of claim 14, further comprising an attachment
system configured to attach the grid assembly to the plurality of
structural members and to maintain an adjustable gap between the
grid assembly and each of the plurality of structural members to
provide for leveling of the grid assembly.
23. The structure of claim 14, further comprising walls removably
attached to the grid assembly.
24. A floor assembly, comprising: a plurality of longitudinal
structural supports, each of the plurality of longitudinal
structural supports having an upper surface and a lower surface; a
grid assembly having a plurality of openings; an attachment system
attaching the grid assembly to the upper surface of each of the
longitudinal structural supports and configured to enable
adjustment in the position of the grid assembly relative to the
longitudinal structural supports; and a plurality of panels, each
panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, the size and shape
of at least the bottom portion configured to be slidably received
into one of the plurality of openings, the size and shape of the
top portion selected to bear against a top surface of the grid
assembly.
25. The floor of claim 24 wherein each of the plurality of panels
is individually removable to permit access to a space beneath the
grid assembly and between the plurality of longitudinal structural
supports.
26. A building, comprising: a plurality of primary structural
building members; a plurality of spaced-apart secondary structural
building members spanning the primary building members, each one of
the plurality of spaced-apart secondary structural building members
having a top surface and a bottom surface; a support grid affixed
to the top surfaces of the secondary building members and
configured to receive panels; and a plurality of panels removably
received in the support grid to form a floor, each of the plurality
of panels individually detachable from the support grid to provide
access to the space between the plurality of spaced-apart secondary
structural building members.
27. A building, comprising: a plurality of primary structural
building members; a plurality of spaced-apart secondary structural
building members spanning the primary building members, each one of
the plurality of spaced-apart secondary structural building members
having a top surface and a bottom surface; a support grid affixed
to the top surfaces of the secondary building members and
configured to receive panels; an attachment system attaching the
support grid to the top surface of each of the plurality of
spaced-apart secondary structural building members and configured
to enable adjustment in the position of the support grid relative
to the plurality of spaced-apart secondary structural building
members; and a plurality of panels removably received in the
support grid to form a floor, each of the plurality of panels
individually detachable from the support grid to provide access to
the space between the plurality of spaced-apart secondary
structural building members.
28. A building, comprising: a plurality of primary structural
building members; a plurality of spaced-apart secondary structural
building members spanning the primary building members, each one of
the plurality of spaced-apart secondary structural building members
having a top surface and a bottom surface; a support grid affixed
to the top surfaces of the secondary building members and
configured to receive panels; a plurality of panels removably
received in the support grid to form a floor, each of the plurality
of panels individually detachable from the support grid to provide
access to the space between the plurality of spaced-apart secondary
structural building members; and walls, removably attached to the
support grid.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to floor structures, and more
specifically to a floor assembly having removable access panels
supported on a grid that is supported on a plurality of primary and
secondary structural supports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The increase in the use of computers, communication devices,
and other electronic hardware has placed new demands on building
designers. Users desire a large number of outlets for access to
electrical power and communication signals, and they need the
ability to change the location of such outlets on a regular,
sometimes weekly basis. Power and data outlets have been located
in, or under, a floor, typically in removable floor sections
elevated above the original floor by supports. Two typical types of
elevated floors are the pedestal floor and the low-profile
floor.
[0003] The pedestal access floor has pedestals that consist of
metal rods with a base plate at one end and a supporting plate on
the other that supports removable horizontal panels, thus forming a
raised floor structure. The metal rods are height adjustable and
rest on a conventional solid floor deck. The solid floor deck may
be made of wood, concrete, or a combination of metal deck and a
concrete topping slab. The rods are arranged in a grid, typically
square. The rods and plates support removable floor sections. The
height of the rods is typically about 18 inches and can be adjusted
to a desired height prior to installing the floor sections.
Electrical power and data cables are laid between the solid floor
deck and the underside of the floor sections. The cables penetrate
the floor sections at a desired location to suit the user's needs.
The penetrations may consist only of cables, or may be a junction
box, similar to a common electrical wall outlet. The penetrations
may accommodate power wires, or signal cables such as cable
television, speaker wire, computer networks, etc. In some designs,
the space between the floor deck and the elevated floor sections is
enough to enable the distribution of conditioned air through
grilles and/or registers located in selected floor sections.
Because it is relatively expensive, this system is generally used
where accommodation must be made for changes in elevation of the
floor.
[0004] There is a labor premium involved in having to locate and
install the foregoing pedestal system. The pedestals must be braced
to meet seismic code, further increasing labor and cost. Moreover,
the pedestals increase ceiling height requirements, and ultimately
the height of the building, which increases the area of the
exterior envelope, thereby increasing not only construction costs
but also operating costs due to heat loss. If the pedestal access
floor is only used in parts of a building, ramps or structural
accommodations must be made for the changes in floor elevation. As
users re-route electrical cables below the access floor, the
pedestals may present an impediment in pulling cables to a new
location. The access floor also represents another step in the
construction schedule. The acoustical properties of this system are
poor. The floor sections are usually relatively thin and rigid and
transmit sound both horizontally and vertically.
[0005] The second type of elevated floor is a low-profile design,
which may be roughly 21/2 inches to 4 inches high. This design does
not use pedestals to raise and support the floor sections, but
rather relies on "feet" at the corners of the sections to create
the space above the solid floor deck and below the underside of the
panel. The panels, with low "feet," rest directly on the floor
deck. This low-profile design is less costly than the pedestal
floor, but still impacts the cost of a traditionally designed floor
in a building because it requires the use of a solid floor deck.
The problem of elevation changes between the existing conventional
floor and accessible floor also remains.
[0006] There are also disadvantages to the low-profile floor
compared to the pedestal floor. The space below the low-profile
sections is not deep enough to be used to supply air. The resulting
floor is not as stable, in either the horizontal or vertical
dimension, as the pedestal access floor described above. Since the
sections are not fastened to the floor deck, they can move when
cable is being pulled and re-routed. It also increases the
floor-to-floor height of the building, and thus the construction
and operating costs. In general, the smaller distance between the
solid floor deck and the surface of the floor sections decreases
the flexibility of the low-profile floor. Both types require an
underlying solid floor deck for support and to provide structural
stability to the exterior building.
[0007] In addition, the acoustical characteristics of both common
types of elevated floors are typically very poor. They tend to
transmit noise to a degree that makes them impractical for use in
many environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a floor
assembly for a building is provided, the floor assembly having a
plurality of primary structural building members, a plurality of
spaced-apart secondary structural building members spanning the
primary building members, a support grid on the top surfaces of the
secondary building members, and a plurality of panels mounted on
the support grid to form the floor, with each of the panels
individually removable from the support grid to provide access to
the space beneath.
[0009] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a
floor assembly is provided that includes a plurality of
longitudinal structural supports, a grid assembly, an attachment
system attaching the grid assembly to the upper surface of each of
the longitudinal structural supports and configured to enable
adjustment in the position of the grid assembly relative to the
longitudinal structural supports, and a plurality of panels, the
bottom portion of the panels configured to be received into
openings in the grid, and the top portion configured to bear
against a top surface of the grid assembly.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
building is provided that includes a plurality of primary
structural building members, a plurality of spaced-apart secondary
structural building members spanning the primary building members,
a support grid affixed to the top surfaces of the secondary
building members and configured to receive panels, an attachment
system attaching the support grid to the top surface of each of the
secondary structural building members and configured to enable
adjustment in the position of the support grid relative to the
secondary structural building members, and a plurality of panels
received in the support grid to form a floor, each of the panels
individually detachable from the support grid to provide access to
the space between the secondary structural building members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a section of the floor
system formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a detail of a structural support grid element
of a floor system formed in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of
a portion of the floor system of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternative
embodiment of the floor system of FIG. 3 taken along line
IV-IV;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a floor system according to another
embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a floor system according to an
alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a
floor system of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a floor system illustrating
an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The structurally integrated accessible floor system,
hereinafter referred to as the floor system, is designated
generally as 100, and is shown isometrically in FIG. 1.
[0020] Primary framing members 102 are provided, which can be
formed as integral parts of metal frame type buildings. Secondary
framing members, such as joists 104 are connected to the primary
framing members 102. According to one embodiment of the invention,
a structural support grid 106 is then formed over the secondary
framing members 104. The grid 106 is configured to receive
removable floor panels 108 in the openings 110 formed by the grid
106. The removable floor panels 108 are of a uniform size to allow
interchangeability, and they may be provided with terminals or
hookups 112 for electrical power and communication access, and with
vents or registers 114 for ventilation.
[0021] For the sake of convenience and clarity, one type of power
terminal 112 is shown in FIG. 1. However, it will be obvious to
those skilled in the art that a wide variety of terminals may be
used, including standard 110 volt sockets, coaxial cable terminals,
fiber optical connections, heavy duty power terminals, T2
connectors, etc. A user may further choose to provide an opening in
the panel to enable the passage of cable without the use of a
terminal. These and other options are considered to be within the
scope of the invention.
[0022] By the same token, a wide variety of means to transmit air
and gas may be used in place of the vent 114, including compressed
air hookups, vacuum lines, fans, directionally adjustable vents,
filters, emergency gas evacuation systems, compressed oxygen,
CO.sub.2, propane, nitrogen, etc.
[0023] FIG. 1 also shows optional panels 116 attached to metal
channels 118, which are in turn affixed to the underside of the
secondary framing members. These panels 116 are ideally constructed
of material that resists fire, thus forming a fire block. The
panels 116 isolate one story of a building from the next,
establishing fire protection, which may required by many building
codes. The panels 116 attached to the underside of the secondary
framing members enclose the space between the secondary framing
members. This enclosed space may be employed as a plenum for HVAC.
This can result in a financial savings, because ductwork is reduced
or eliminated. Partitions may be used within this space to permit
discreet sections of the floor system to pressurize for use as a
plenum.
[0024] Referring next to FIG. 2, shown therein is a section of one
embodiment of the structural support grid 106. According to this
embodiment, the structural support grid comprises L-shaped rail
members 202 affixed in back-to-back relationship to T-shaped joint
nodes 200 to form supports for the removable floor panels. The
nodes and rail members are standardized to permit
interchangeability.
[0025] It is to be understood that the rail members may have many
different cross-sectional shapes and node configurations. For
example, some alternative cross-sectional shapes include channel,
"T", and square.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows the floor system 100 in cross-section taken
along lines III-III in FIG. 1. The removable floor panel 108 has a
plurality of layers, including a top layer 300, which is configured
according to the requirements of the particular application and may
have a carpeted surface or a tile surface. Alternatively, the top
layer may be formed using chemically resistive materials for use in
a lab or other caustic environments. The top layer 300 and a bottom
layer 306 are designed to provide structural stiffness to the panel
108 and are configured according to the structural and weight
bearing requirements of the particular application. Fire retardant
layers 304 are composed of fire resistant materials such as gypsum,
or other appropriate material, and serve to inhibit the passage of
fire from one side of the panel 108 to the other. An insulation
layer 302 provides thermal and acoustic insulation, as well as
additional stiffness.
[0027] It will be understood that the composition of the removable
floor panels will vary according to the requirements of a
particular application and will in part be dictated by the
anticipated environment, the required load carrying capacity, the
desired appearance, the anticipated degree of noise control, local
building and fire codes, and other factors.
[0028] Although the removable floor panels 108 bear against the
structural support grid 106, panel fasteners 310 may be used to
positively attach the panels 108 to the structural support grid
106. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the panel fasteners 310
comprise threaded fasteners that pass from a lower surface of the
structural support grid 106 into an opening in a lower surface of
the removable panel 108 via an opening 311 in the rail member 202
of the structural support grid 106. The opening 311 is oversized in
relation to the threaded fastener 310 to enable adjustment in the
position of the removable panel 108 relative to the structural
support grid 106. The threads of the threaded fastener 310 engage
the removable panel and a hexagonal head of the fastener 310 bears
against the lower surface 324 of the support grid 106, drawing the
removable panel tight against the structural support grid 106.
Thus, in this embodiment access to the panel fasteners 310 is from
beneath the structural support grid 106.
[0029] A leveling unit 308 is provided to control a vertical
distance 320 between the structural support grid 106 and the
secondary framing members 104. FIG. 3 shows one of a plurality of
similar units that comprise the leveling system, which functions as
described below.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the leveling unit 308 includes a
threaded rod 312 attached to a support plate 314 that bears against
an upper surface 322 of the secondary framing member 104. The
threaded rod 312 passes through a lift plate 316 via an opening in
the lift plate 316, with the lift plate 316 bearing upward against
the lower surface 324 of the structural support grid 106. The rod
312 is slideably received in an opening 307 formed in the grid 106.
A pair of jam nuts 318 on the threaded rod supports the lift plate
316. The position of the jam nuts 318 on the threaded rod
determines the distance 320 between the upper surface 322 of the
secondary framing member 104 and the lower surface 324 of the
structural support grid 106.
[0031] By adjusting each of the plurality of units of the leveling
system, the bearing surface 326 of the floor system 100 can be
leveled, even if the upper surfaces 322 of the secondary framing
members are not level.
[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, leveling devices
that are functionally similar to the leveling unit 308 described
above may be employed between an upper surface 120 (shown in FIG.
1) of the primary framing members 102 and the part 105 of the
secondary framing members 104 that bears against the primary
framing members. By adjusting the vertical distance between the
primary and secondary framing members, the level of the structural
support grid 106 can be controlled.
[0033] Other methods of controlling the vertical distance (not
shown) between the primary and secondary framing members 102, 104,
or between the structural support grid 106 and the secondary
framing members 104 will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
These methods include the use of wedges, shims, threaded devices
that are accessed from above the floor system, automatic or
remotely adjustable devices, etc., all of which are deemed to be
within the scope of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a floor system 100,
taken along line IV-IV, and shows an alternative embodiment of the
removable panel 108. In this embodiment, a flexible gasket 400 is
affixed to the top edge 412 of each panel 108, 109. The gaskets 400
of adjoining panels 108, 109 press against each other, providing a
seal between the removable panels 108, 109. The seal may be
employed to prevent spills from leaking through the floor system.
In applications where spills of caustic or dangerous fluids might
be anticipated, the composition of the gasket 400 is chosen to be
resistant to the particular classes of substances in use. Multiple
or interlocking gaskets may also be employed to provide a more
secure seal. Alternatively, a single gasket may be wedged between
the adjoining panels 108, 109 after they are installed on the
structural support grid 106. The gasket 400 may also be used in
applications where it is desirable to control the movement of air
or other gasses from one side of the floor system to the other.
[0035] FIG. 4 also shows an alternative embodiment of the panel
fasteners. Here, the panel fastener 410 is accessed with a tool
(not shown) that is inserted from above the surface of the floor
system into the center of the joint node 200. The panel fastener
410 is rotated approximately 45.degree.. Fastener blades 408 rotate
from positions in slots (not shown) in the joint node 200 into
slots in the corners of the removable panels 406, locking them in
place.
[0036] Other locking devices and systems will be evident to those
skilled in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the
invention. Such devices include those employing cam-type fasteners,
devices that are accessible from the surface of the removable floor
panels, devices that latch automatically when the removable floor
panels are emplaced, etc.
[0037] Depending upon the height and local requirements, some
buildings include devices or methods of construction that provide
earthquake resistance. In conventional construction methods a solid
floor deck functions as a diaphragm, which is resistant to
dimensional stresses.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, and as
illustrated in FIG. 5, the structural support grid 106 is attached
orthogonally, relative to the primary 102 and secondary 104 framing
members. Diagonal stays 500 are employed to brace and provide the
requisite stability to the structure. The stays 500 are attached
directly to the primary columns 502 of a building and pass
underneath the floor structure 100.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, in
which the structural support grid 106 is oriented diagonally,
relative to the primary 102 and secondary 104 framing members. In
this embodiment, the structural support grid 106 itself forms the
diagonal bracing that reinforces the building structure.
[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, and as shown in
FIG. 7, repositionable walls 700 may be employed as part of the
structurally integrated accessible floor system. These
repositionable walls may consist of floor to ceiling room dividers,
which may be assembled on site, as shown in FIG. 7, or
prefabricated and installed as individual units, or alternatively
they may be prefabricated cubicle dividers of the type common in
office environments. The repositionable walls 700 are affixed
directly to the structural support grid 104. Partial floor panels 1
08a may be cut to the necessary size at the site, using
conventional methods, or may be manufactured in common dimensions.
By affixing the walls 700 to the grid 106 and employing partial
floor panels, acoustical isolation is enhanced and the structural
stability of the walls 700 is improved.
[0041] Electrical components in the walls 700, such as light
switches, thermostats, power connections etc, may be wired directly
through the bottom of the walls via harnesses (not shown) that can
be connected to cables and connectors underneath the floor panels
108. This is a significant advantage, especially in the case of
cubicle dividers, over the methods currently in use, because
conventional cubicle dividers must bring power into open areas and
may involve complex interconnections between the dividers, and
power drops from ceilings. Other methods include the use of
wireless technology for switches and controls. Such technology has
the advantage that it doesn't require any wiring connections in the
walls.
[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
invention in which structural support rails 800 are employed. The
rails 800 span the secondary framing members 104 and support the
removable floor panels 108 on two sides. The floor panels 108 of
this embodiment are configured to span the structural support rails
800.
[0043] In a conventional building, an elevated floor system of the
type described in the background section of this document is
installed on top of an existing floor. The elevated floor occupies
a space above the floor, and is not part of the building structure.
The accessible space provided by such an elevated floor is that
space between the panels that form the surface of the elevated
floor and the upper surface of the solid floor deck. In the
structurally integrated accessible floor system of the embodiments
of the invention described herein the solid floor deck is not
needed. The removable panels provide access to the space beneath
the grid and between the individual secondary framing members. In
prior floor structures, this space is inaccessible and wasted.
Because the structural support grid of the present invention spans
the secondary framing members, the space beneath is unobstructed,
providing simplified access for pulling cables, laying conduit,
ducting, and pipe.
[0044] The cost of the floor system disclosed herein is
significantly mitigated by several factors. A conventional
structural floor is not required, and the floor system is
essentially the same height as a conventional structural floor,
obviating the need for ramps in areas where conventional floors
adjoin the floor system. Because the floor system does not add
height per story to the final building structure, there will be a
savings in building materials, and a savings in operating costs
over those of a similar building using accessible floors according
to the prior art. Also, because the space under the floor system is
unencumbered by pedestals, feet, or other support devices, the
floor system has improved flexibility and changeability. Pulling
cable, laying conduit and pipe, and installing ducting are all
simplified. The labor costs and down time costs are reduced during
changeovers.
[0045] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *