U.S. patent number 3,852,928 [Application Number 05/369,473] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-10 for elevated flooring system and panel therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hauserman, Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard L. Raith.
United States Patent |
3,852,928 |
Raith |
December 10, 1974 |
ELEVATED FLOORING SYSTEM AND PANEL THEREFOR
Abstract
A substantially rectangular panel is hinged across diagonally
opposite corners. Elevating supports extend downwardly from the
opposite corners and the remaining corners on the panel. The hinge
and the location of the elevating supports prevent the panel from
rocking on an uneven subfloor.
Inventors: |
Raith; Richard L. (Cleveland,
OH) |
Assignee: |
Hauserman, Inc. (Cleveland,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
23455616 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/369,473 |
Filed: |
June 13, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/263; 52/71;
52/608; 52/508 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F
15/02405 (20130101); E04F 2203/023 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04F
15/024 (20060101); E04b 005/48 (); E04c
002/52 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/263,126,71,613,273,608,479,480,390,508 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Faw, Jr.; Price C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Donnelly, Maky, Renner &
Otto
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A substantially rectangular panel hinged across diagonally
opposite corners, and including as a part thereof elevating
supports extending downwardly from said opposite corners and the
remaining corners on said panel, said panel being divided into
triangular panels along a hinge line, and said elevating supports
at said opposite corners being attached to only one of said
triangular panels adjacent said hinge line.
2. The panel of claim 1 wherein said elevating supports at said
opposite corners span said hinge line.
3. The panel of claim 1 wherein said rectangular panel is
substantially square.
4. The panel of claim 1 wherein said triangular panels have base
edge faces positioned adjacent one another along said hinge
line.
5. The panel of claim 4 and including a covering secured to the
upper surface of said rectangular panel and spanning said base edge
faces to define hinge means.
6. The panel of claim 4 wherein said base edge faces are hingedly
connected by hinge means integral with said triangular panels.
7. The panel of claim 4 wherein said panel is of laminated
multi-layer construction including a thin flexible intermediate
layer spanning across said base edge faces of said triangular
panels to define hinge means.
8. The panel of claim 4 and including hinge means secured to the
lower surface of said rectangular panel and spanning said base edge
faces.
9. The panel of claim 8 wherein said hinge means comprises a thin
strip of flexible material.
10. An elevated flooring system comprising: a plurality of
triangular panels supported on a floor, each of said panels having
a base edge face intersecting side edge faces at opposite corners,
said side edge faces extending substantially perpendicular to one
another and intersecting at a central corner, each of said panels
having upper and lower surfaces, each of said panels having
elevating supports on said lower surface thereof at said corners to
provide a three-point support means for supporting said panels in
elevated position above said floor, said panels being assembled in
substantially abutting relationship on said floor, pairs of said
panels being positioned with said base edge faces thereof adjacent
one another to define substantially rectangular panels having
rectangular panel edge faces defined by said side edge faces of
said triangular panels, and hinge means for hingedly connecting
said base edge faces of said pairs of triangular panels.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein said rectangular panels have a
covering secured to said upper surfaces thereof and spanning said
base edge faces, said hinge means being defined by said
covering.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein said hinge means is secured to
said lower surfaces along said base edges of said pairs of
panels.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein said triangular panels are of
laminated multi-layer construction including a thin flexible
intermediate layer spanning across said base edge faces of said
pairs of triangular panels to define said hinge means.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein said hinge means is formed
integrally with said pair of triangular panels.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein said pair of triangular panels
are molded integral with one another and are integrally connected
by flexible joining portion at said base edge faces thereof to
define said hinge means.
16. The system of claim 10 wherein said elevating supports are
attached to only one of each pair of triangular panels at said
opposite corners.
Description
Elevated flooring systems are commonly constructed by positioning a
plurality of panels on a substantially horizontal supporting
surface. The panels have a plurality of elevating supports
extending downwardly from the lower surface thereof for supporting
the panels in a substantially horizontal position above the
supporting surface to define a hollow space between the panels and
the supporting surface. Electrical wiring, pipes and ducts may
extend through the space.
In elevated flooring systems of the type described, slight
irregularities in the supporting surface often prevent all of the
elevating supports from making firm contact with the supporting
surface. If one or more of the elevating supports is not in firm
engagement with the supporting surface, the panel will wobble. Such
wobbling is a hazard and a nuisance to persons walking across the
panels.
In accordance with the present invention, an elevated flooring
system of the type described is assembled with substantially
rectangular panels, each of which is hinged across diagonally
opposite corners. The hinge divides each rectangular panel into a
pair of triangular panels. Each triangular panel includes a base
edge face intersecting opposite side edge faces at side corners.
The side edge faces extend substantially perpendicular to one
another and intersect at a central corner. The pair of triangular
panels are positioned with their base edge faces adjacent one
another.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the
rectangular panel is provided with elevating supports extending
downwardly from the corners thereof. The elevating supports define
a three-point support for each triangular panel. With a three-point
elevating support arrangement, all of the elevating supports will
be in firm engagement with the supporting surface despite
irregularities in the supporting surface.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the pair of
triangular panels are connected together along their base edge
faces by hinge means so that the triangular panels may swing
relative to one another along their base edge faces.
Panels constructed in accordance with the present invention may be
formed from any suitable structural material. The panels may be
formed of synthetic plastic material, plywood or particle board.
The panels could also be metal stampings or castings.
The hinge means for connecting the base edge faces of the
triangular panels in spaced-apart relationship may take many forms.
The hinge means may be defined by a covering, such as carpeting or
tile, secured to the upper surface of the panels and spanning the
base edges. The hinge means could also be integral with the
triangular panels. The hinge means could also be secured to the
lower surfaces of the panels and span the base edges thereof.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an
improved elevated flooring system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved panel for use in elevated flooring systems.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a
panel which will not wobble when positioned on an uneven
subfloor.
The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangements of
parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail
in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings
which form a part hereof.
FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an elevated flooring
system;
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective illustration of a plurality of
panels constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an upper perspective illustration of an improved panel
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in
the direction of arrows 4--4 of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 4 and
showing another hinge arrangement.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for
purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention
only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows an
elevated flooring system A constructed in accordance with the
present invention. A concrete slab B defines a substantially
horizontal supporting surface 12 for supporting a plurality of
rectangular panels C.
In accordance with a preferred arrangement, each rectangular panel
C is hinged across diagonally opposite corners. The hinge divides
the rectangular panel into a pair of substantially identical
triangular panels D. Each triangular panel D includes a base edge
face 14 intersecting opposite side edge faces 16 and 18 at side
corners 20 and 22. Side edge faces 16 and 18 extend substantially
perpendicular to one another and intersect at a central corner 24.
In the preferred arrangement, side edge faces 16 and 18 intersect
base edge face 14 at 45.degree. angles. With such an arrangement,
rectangular panels C will be square. Each pair of side corners 20
and 22 on triangular panels D cooperate to define diagonally
opposite corners on rectangular panel C. Central corners 24 define
the remaining corners on rectangular panel C. Each triangular panel
D includes upper and lower surfaces 28 and 30.
In accordance with one arrangement, a plurality of elevating
supports are secured to each rectangular panel C for supporting
panel C in elevated position above supporting surface 12 on
concrete slab B. This provides a space generally indicated at 32 in
FIG. 1. Electrical wiring is generally indicated at 34 extending
through space 32. Such wiring may be connected to electrical
outlets as at 36, and to machines or the like. Water pipes and air
ducts for heating and cooling systems may also extend through space
32.
In one arrangement, elevating supports 40 are secured to lower
surface 30 of each triangular panel D beneath central corners 24.
Elevating supports 42 and 44 are secured to lower surface 30
beneath side edge corners 20 and 22. Elevating supports 40, 42 and
44 may be secured to panels D by the use of adhesive or mechanical
fasteners. Obviously, elevating supports 40, 42 and 44 may take
many different forms and may be made of many different materials.
In the arrangement shown, elevating supports 40, 42 and 44 are
simply rectangular blocks of wood.
In a preferred arrangement, elevating supports 40 and 42 are
secured to only one of triangular panels D. Each elevating support
40 and 42 then extends across base edge faces 14 to support the
other triangular panel at the side corners thereof. In the
arrangement shown in FIG. 4, elevating support 44 is secured to
only one triangular panel D as by screw 48. Elevating support 44 is
not secured to the other triangular panel but simply extends across
base edge faces 14 for supporting the other triangular panel.
Elevating support 42 would be similarly secured to only one of
triangular panels D. It is obvious that elevating supports 42 and
44 could also be adhesively secured to only one of panels D, or
secured in any other suitable manner.
In the arrangement described, it will be recognized that each pair
of triangular panels D may swing relative to one another about a
longitudinal axis extending parallel to base edge faces 14. Such
swinging movement is shown in FIG. 3 by solid line and shadow line
positions. This swinging movement provides a three-point support
means. With irregularities in surface 12 beneath any one of
elevating supports 40, 42 or 44, panels D can swing and shift
slightly relative to one another so that the elevating support at
the irregularity or depression will move downward or upward into
firm engagement with supporting surface 12. Instead of having
single elevating supports 42 and 44 at the opposite corners of base
edge faces 14, it is obvious that individual supports can also be
provided beneath side edge corners 20 and 22 on each triangular
panel D.
In the preferred arrangement, triangular panels D are hingedly
connected together along base edge faces 14 thereof. With such an
arrangement, rectangular panels D can be pre-assembled at a
factory, and installation of such panels on a supporting surface 12
proceeds more rapidly and saves manpower.
In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, each panel D includes upper and
lower panel portions 50 and 52 laminated together with a thin
flexible synthetic plastic material 54 therebetween. Base edge
faces 14 are spaced-apart slightly to provide a gap as at 56 in
FIG. 4. Plastic material 54 completely spans gap 56 for connecting
triangular panels D across base edge faces 14 thereof. The portion
of plastic material 54 spanning gap 56 defines a hinge integrally
connecting panels D while allowing swinging and slight shifting
movement of panels D relative to one another. A surface covering E
may be secured to upper surfaces 28 of panels D and completely
spans gap 56. Covering E may be in the form of any known flooring
material, such as carpet, linoleum or other flooring tile.
In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, covering E is bonded to upper
surfaces 28 of panels D and spans gap 56 at the upper surfaces of
panels D. Covering material E is relatively thin and flexible, and
itself defines the integral hinge for swingably interconnecting
panels D.
Obviously, many other arrangements are also possible for hingedly
interconnecting panels D. For example, one or more strips of thin
flexible plastic material or the like may be bonded or secured by
mechanical fasteners to lower surfaces 30 of panels D across base
edge faces 14. Base edge faces 14 may also be longitudinally
grooved for receiving a thin flexible strip of material. When
panels D are stamped or molded, they can also be formed with
integral curved hinge sockets for loosely receiving a hinge pin.
Where panels D are molded integrally with one another, the mold may
be provided with one or more elongated projections for leaving a
gap as at 56. The thin strip of material remaining across gap 56
would then define an integral hinge. A rectangular panel could also
be cut across diagonally opposite corners to leave a thin integral
strip of panel material defining the hinge.
In the preferred arrangement, common elevating supports 42 and 44
are provided at the hinge for each pair of triangular panels.
Instead of spanning edge faces 14, supports 42 and 44 could be
located beneath only one triangular panel D. The other triangular
panel would then be held in elevated position by the hinge
connection.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to
certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent
alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the
art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The
present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and
modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
* * * * *