Metal support framework for low profile raised panel flooring
A raised flooring system and methods of forming components of such a system are disclosed. The present flooring system utilizes thin sheet metal, typically galvanized steel, to form a first strip having a plurality of pedestals formed in a spaced apart relation on the strip and connected via wings extending from the first strip to wings extending from a second strip, thereby forming an overall rectilinear, grid-like pattern of pedestals. The pedestals are used to maintain floor panels above a network of channels in which conduit, cables, hoses, pipe and other materials can be routed. The pedestals are punched and formed from strips of sheet metal and have an overall shape generally that of a tower supported by two legs that may have rounded edges for increased load-bearing capacity. The wings that are designed to interlock with corresponding wings from another strip may also be formed from the pedestal-bearing strips.
This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 08/118,373, filed Mar. 25, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,168 and entitled Junction Box for Low Profile Raised Panel Flooring.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to flooring systems especially designed for facilities that house data processing equipment such as data processing centers, computer rooms, and offices where there is a false floor raised above the existing floor. Such false floors or raised panel floors typically utilize removable panels laid side-by-side upon raised support members in order to afford a free space where conduit, cables, hoses, wires and other computer interconnections can be routed.
Many false flooring systems exist, including ones that use adjustable jacks at each panel corner as a means of support. The support jacks for such systems are only located at the corners of the panels, which are usually square with sides of 500 to 600 mm. Accordingly, rigidity and mechanical stability of the floor must be achieved through the use of very thick panels, usually 30 to 40 mm thick, sometimes including a framework which transfers the load to the jacks. Due to the loss of usable height, these types of false flooring require an overall height of 150 to 200 mm, which is incompatible with low ceilings in existing buildings and requires new facilities to be built with added height. As an example, if one considers a 200 mm false floor at each level of a thirty-story building, the additional required height becomes six meters, the equivalent of two stories. Installing such a false floor in existing buildings requires the construction of ramps and steps as well as fire and soundproofing barriers. Finally, such structures are sometimes noisy and act as resonators. In any event installing existing false floors either as part of a building renovation or in new construction, is both involved and costly.
Many other false flooring systems utilize base plates from which rise protrusions that will support a door panel. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,157 (the “'157 patent”), incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, describes an excellent “Flooring System Especially Designed for Facilities Which House Data Processing Equipment.” The system described in the '157 patent solves many of tie problems associated with previous systems, including such problems described above. However, the '157 patent contemplates and illustrates construction of portions of the system “by heat forming or injection molding of a plastic compound such as polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS.”
While such materials are excellent choices for the formation of the components for which they are suggested in the '157 patent, particularly in view of the complex shapes of some of those components, drawbacks are associated with the use of such materials in certain applications. First, the load-bearing capacity of a raised panel flooring structure utilizing such plastic materials is, in part, a function of the quantity and type of plastic materials utilized, and it can be difficult to achieve high load-bearing capacities with such plastic structures at acceptable costs and without undesirable weight. Additionally, although the nature of the application and the use of flame-retardant and smoke-suppression formulations and additives can make use of such plastic materials acceptably safe as construction materials, some fire codes nevertheless limit or prevent the use of plastic structures as components of raised panel flooring.
Accordingly, the assignee of the present invention developed the low profile raised panel flooring with a metal support structure described in pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/114,447 (“'447 application”), incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. The '447 application discloses “thin sheet metal, typically galvanized steel, base plates laid side by side on the existing floor, on which standoffs are attached in a rectilinear pattern to serve as supports for floor panels that form the raised or false floor and are typically covered with carpet tile.” Each stand-off has “[a] tab on the end of each arm of each stand-off [that] is received with a friction fit in an opening in the baseplate, and is bent to lie against the underside of the base plate in a depression formed therein.” Thus, the standoffs may be assembled into the base plate, which can be provided with “[s] core or cutting lines . . . for breaking or to facilitate cutting it during installation.”
The metal support structure disclosed in the '447 application provides a non-combustible, enhanced load-beating and easily assembled flooring system. However, the costs of the metal flooring system may be significantly higher than the plastic materials that are used with systems such as disclosed in the '157 patent. Obviously, the higher cost is a function of the generally more expensive metal (in terms both of costs of material and more involved manufacturing processes) that comprises the base plates and stand-offs. Moreover, the necessity of separately manufacturing base plates and standoffs, then assembling them, adds complexity (and consequently increased cost) to the flooring system Indeed, the assembled flooring system may also have significant weight, in the range of 10-12 kilograms per square meter of flowing. This weight in addition to the bulk of the metal base plates, makes more difficult not only the string and transportation of the metal base plates, but also their application to the floor to be provided with the flooring system. Moreover, in multi-floor buildings that have large areas to which a flooring system must be applied, a decrease in the weight of the flooring system is cumulatively significant and therefore desirable in order to decrease the load on the building's structure.
Furthermore, when the ultimate user assembles the base plates upon the floor, she may find it difficult properly to shape the base plates to fit odd corners or spaces remaining once the rest of the floor is covered. Although this problem is reduced by the scoring or weakening provided in the base plate, which allows some flexibility in shaping the base plate to match the area to be covered, it still slows the process of installing the flooring system in the event that the user must laboriously and carefully cut through the entire base plate to give it the appropriate shape.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a low profile raised panel flowing system using components compatible with the strictest fire codes, that can offer high load-bearing capacity, is cost effective and overcomes other disadvantages of the above systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention utilizes strips of sheet metal, typically galvanized steel, from which are formed support pedestals that remain connected by the strip. Transversely extending from the main strip of pedestals are thin strips of material, or wings (also formed from the main strip), that are designed to interlock with wings of other main strips bearing pedestals. Interconnecting a plurality of pedestal-bearing strips together forms a module having a rectilinear, grid-like pattern of pedestals connected via strips and wings. Numerous modules can be placed over and fixed to a floor. Panels are then placed over the pedestals of the modules to provide the false floor upon which furniture and equipment will rest, and underneath of which data communication, power and other lines may be routed through the network of channels formed by the floor, pedestals and panels. The flooring system thus may be composed of metal or other non-combustible materials and is of high load-bearing capacity.
Because the strips and wings interconnecting the pedestals do not cover all of the area in between the pedestals, less material is required to build the support system, which accordingly grey decreases the cost of the overall flooring system. Furthermore, because a flexible framework interconnects the supports, the support system will conform more closely to the surface of the floor to be covered, alleviating the difficulties associated with covering uneven floors with a rigid flooring system. The support system is lighter in weight and more easily transported, maneuvered and assembled. The lighter weight also decreases the strain on buildings in which the flooring system is installed. With a pedestal height of 55 mm, the present flooring system weighs approximately 4-5 kilograms per square meter of flooring. At a pedestal height of 85 mm, the flooring system weighs approximately 6 kilograms per square meter of flooring. This is a significant decrease in weight from other metal floating systems.
Although lighter, the flooring system of the present invention is still extremely high in load-bearing capacity. Load-bearing capacity can be further increased by forming round corners from the edges of the legs supporting the central, top surface section of the pedestals. Such round corners provide additional structural support to the top surface section, which will be parallel to the floor and support floor panels.
Moreover, like the stand-offs described in the '157 patent and the '447 application, pedestals of the present invention may also include a cruciform groove, which divides the top, support surface into four quadrants. Each quadrant has a screw hole and a conical depression to receive a screw passing through a corner of a floor panel that has edges turned down to better interlock with the grooves in the pedestal. The conical depression causes the hole to close, enhancing its holding power, as the screw is tightened.
Alternatively, a single screw can be inserted into floor panels that have quarter-circle cutouts in each corner that when four floor panels are arranged adjacent one another in a grid-like pattern, together define an opening through which will pass a screw. Arms of the skirts or lips that partially surround the perimeters of the floor panels project into the opening, forming a shelf or ledge. Upon the shelf will rest a ring, into which will pass the single screw. The tip of the screw seats into a conical depression in the center of the underlying pedestal. The screw captures the projecting legs of the skirts (and thus the floor panels) between the ring and the pedestal to fasten firmly the floor panels and prevent buckling or other movement. The skirt or lip may also fit within the cruciform grooves sufficiently closely to prevent movement of the floor panels. Obviously, utilizing only a single screw to attach the floor panels to the pedestals greatly facilitates assembling the flooring system, thereby decreasing associated labor costs. Where this central screw system is used to attach the floor panels to the pedestals, the ring may be formed from copper or other conductive metal in order to interconnect electrically the flooring system
The flooring system is provided by covering the entire floor with modules. In the strip connecting the individual pedestals are holes through which nails a screws can be inserted to hold the assembled module of strips to the floor. Alternatively, the module could be glued to the floor with an appropriate adhesive. Modules are aligned on and fixed to the floor in abutting relation along a longitudinal axis. Other modules are appropriately spaced along the other sides to accept the floor panels that will be supported by the pedestals. The modules can be connected so that electrical conductivity between adjacent modules is achieved to provide an electrical ground. Once the majority of the floor is covered with modules, it may be necessary for the user to trim the final modules to be placed in order to cover any leftover areas. Because only the relatively narrow wings and strips interconnect the pedestals within a module to one another, it has been found that scoring or cutting lines need not be formed. It is necessary only to use a pair of shears or another cutting device to him a module to the desired shape.
After placement of the modules, a junction box can be arranged within the pedestals. The junction box may be the one described in applicant's co-pending U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 08/218,373, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, and may include a housing with four sides joined to form a square, with receptacles provided for outlets. The housing may be formed from sheet steel or other appropriate material so as to be held in place by contact with pedestals. The junction box acts as an interface between (1) the electrical, telecommunications, data a other service lines traveling through channels formed beneath the false floor and (2) the equipment resting upon the false floor that must connect to the one or more service lines. Various outlets within the junction box may be provided for electrical, telecommunications or data transmission lines of the flush or forward type, or the junction box may be pierced with holes for passage of lines through the junction box directly to a specific piece of equipment.
Installation of the junction box is accomplished without the necessity for fastening meets, such as screws, adhesive or clamps, as the housing of the junction box is shaped to fit tightly between the pedestals that support the false floor panels above the structural floor. The housing can be comprised of a single unit or several pieces assembled into various shapes, preferably a square, all of which fit tightly between the pedestals supporting the floor panels. No special fasteners or other attachment means need be used, as frictional contact between the pedestals and the cutouts in a flange or ledge running along the top of the housing will fix the housing in place. Utilizing a housing of this construction, a junction box can be fixed between virtually any group of pedestals in the area covered by a false floor. Consequently, a flooring system for providing channels in which data, electrical, communications or other cables can be arranged and organized for access by the user is provided.
The floating system of the present invention is formed from blank strips of galvanized steel coils. A plurality of while are arranged together so that as the blank strips are unwound from the coils the strips maintain a parallel relationship. The blank strips are then stamped so that L-shaped cuts appropriate to form wings are made on the edges of the blank strips, and holes are formed in the four quadrants defined by the cruciform pattern that will be formed in the top of the pedestals. The rectangular shaped wings are then bent over to project at a substantially ninety degree (90°) angle from the longitudinal axis of the blank strip. Because the strips are parallel and separated at an appropriate distance, the wings will overlap one another and can then be easily stapled, clipped, welded or otherwise fastened together. The continuous, interconnected strips are then cut off at the same length to form a module and pedestals are punched and formed from the module, with a pedestal located where the holes were placed in the stamping process and between each set of wings.
The individual pedestals are formed from the blank strip by means of stamping, crushing and cutting whatever number pedestals are designed to fit onto a particular sized strip. (The density of pedestals covering the module is controlled by the spacing between pedestals and strips, which spacing is variable). Although the pedestals can be provided with the cruciform groove and holes for interfacing with floor panels, the basic supporting shape need consist only of a central support section supported over the floor by at least two legs.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a support in which a plurality of pedestals with enhanced load-bearing capability can be formed from a strip.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a support in which a plurality of strips having pedestals formed therein are interconnected into a module via wings also formed from the strips.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flooring system at least portions of which are noncombustible.
It is another object of this invention to provide a flooring system in which modules of pedestals are covered with floor panels, thereby forming channels in which data, electrical or other service lines may be routed.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide a flooring system in which modules cover the floor and have at least one junction box fixed in position by the pedestals on the modules and that can be arranged in virtually any area of the flow to interface with the service lines traveling through the flooring system's channels.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method for creating the support structure underlying the flooring system.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the remainder of the text and the drawings of this application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSLegs 12 support the central section 20 that may be drawn to create a cruciform groove 22 for receiving complimentary portions of the floor panels 60, such as a continuous lip 66, which runs about the perimeter of the floor panel 60, that may interlock with the top of a pedestal 10, as shown in FIG. 3. Groove 22 also divides the central section 20 into four necks 24, each having an opening 26 in a conical depression 28 to receive a fastener. The conical depression 28 causes the opening 26 to dose as a fastener, such as a screw (not shown), is tightened, thereby enhancing its ability to hold the screw (and thus a floor panel 60 through which the screw will pass and secure) in place.
Pedestals 10 are located in parallel rows and columns so as to form a series of parallel channels perpendicular to each other. Although embodiments of the pedestals 10 may be made of galvanized steel approximately 0.75 mm thick for a pedestal 10 having a height of 55 mm, other materials of other thicknesses may be used as desired. Where pedestals 10 of a different height are desirable, it may be necessary to adjust the thickness of the material a appropriately reinforce certain areas of the pedestals 10 in order to provide sufficient load-bearing capacity for the particular pedestal 10 height used. Alternatively, greater or fewer pedestals 10 may be connected via the connecting strips 30 and the wings 40 and spacing of pedestals 10 may be modified as necessary or desired. As can be readily seen from
However, the structure of the illustrated embodiment of the pedestals 10 is such that load-bearing capacity is optimized for that particular thickness. Such structure includes the rounded corners 14 and the gusset 18 and is shown in
Transverse stability to the connecting strip 30 and pedestals 10 is provided by several wings 40 that protrude transversely from the connecting strip 30 and are connected with the wings 40 of a parallel strip 32 (also fastened to floor F). Wings 40 are formed from the connecting strip 30 by making an L-shaped cut 42 into the edge of the connecting strip 30. Wings 40 are then folded over to form a reinforced joint 44. Where two connecting strips 30 are placed in parallel relation and have their pedestals 10 properly aligned, the folded-over wings 40 will overlap and may then be connected via a staple 46. Details of the interconnection of the wings 40 via the staple 46 are shown in
Once connected, as shown in
Module 50 has fast and second border strips 34, 36 that each have an edge 52 that does not form the wings 40. Thus, edges 52 and ends 54 define the boundaries of the module 50. A second, identical module can be placed so that its ends would abut against ends 54 of module 50 so that columns 58 of pedestals 10 are arranged in longitudinal fashion. Likewise, yet another module could be appropriately spaced from the edges 52 of the module 50 so that parallel rows 56 of pedestals 10 are formed, allowing the floor panels 60 to be appropriately supported by the pedestals 10 on such modules. Alternatively, first and second border strips 34, 36 could be provided with wings 40 to connect with other modules. This or a similar inter-module connection may be sufficient to connect electrically the flooring system so that the entire system can save as an electrical ground. Floor panels 60, when composed of metal, could also provide the electrical connection between the modules 50.
Junction box 70 is inserted at virtually any point on the flow between any group of pedestals 10 so that each of the cut-outs 80 contact with the top of a corresponding pedestal 10. Other fastening systems, such as a notch in the top of a pedestal 10 for engaging with the top ledge 78 or adhesive, could be used to secure the junction box 70. Secured within junction box 70 in one of the sides 72 is an outlet 82 that may interface with electrical, data, telecommunications or other service delivery lines traveling through the channels defined by the floor panels 60, the floor F and the pedestals 10. Such lines could travel not only through the channels but also between the legs 12 of pedestals 10 in order to reach the junction box 70, which thereby serves as a distribution center to which equipment scattered about the top of the floor panels 60 can interface for power or other services. The outlet 82 and the open area 76 may be accessed through an aperture, optionally provided a cover, situated in a door panel 60.
As shown in
A top plan view of a process for creating modules 50 is shown in FIG. 8. Starting step 100 illustrates plain strips 102 being drawn from coils 101, which may be formed of galvanized steel, in four parallel lines. At stamping step 110, the plain strips 102 are stamped with press and punch equipment situated in a hydraulic press or other appropriate machinery so as to form the L-shaped cuts 42, openings 26 and grooves 22. Edges 52 optionally may also receive L-shaped cuts 42.
Continuing along to connecting step 120, the now stamped strip 104 has the rectangular wedge formed by the L-shaped cuts 42 bent at substantially right angles to the stamped strips 104 to form the wings 40. Wings 40 overlap because the stamped strips 104 are placed in a parallel relationship and spaced apart less than the length of two of the wings 40. The overlapping wings 40 are then fastened with staple 46 during stapling step 130. One skilled in the art will recognize that numerous techniques exist for fastening together the wings 40, such as, for instance, providing a hook on each end of the wings 40 that will snap-lock together. Alternatively, a splice formed of nylon or other appropriate material may be used to interconnect the wings 40 whose ends may be provided with ribs to engage more firmly (but adjustably) the splice. However, the staple 46 shown in
Directly following the stapling of the wings 40 together, the continuous stamped and stapled strips 106 are cut off at ends 54 to the appropriate length depending on the number of pedestals 10 desired to be stamped into the ultimate module 50 or the desired size of the module 50. Pedestal stamping step 140 then forms pedestals 10, which are stamped row-by-row, in the areas where grooves 22 and openings 26 were created in stamping step 110. Once the pedestal stamping step 140 is complete, a fully formed module 50 has been produced and is ready for stacking at step 150 and packing at step 160. Elimination of a baseplate in favor of interconnecting the supporting pedestals 10 via strips of material creates significant savings in material Additionally, where the pedestals 10 are formed from the same blank strip from which are formed the interconnecting strips (e.g., the connecting strips 30 and wings 40), the process of forming the floating system of the present invention is greatly simplified at corresponding cost savings.
Alternative methods exist for creating the support for the flooring system of the present invention. For instance, pedestals 10 could first be formed on the blank strips 102. Wings 40 could then be formed by making the desired L-shaped cuts 42 and bending over the resulting rectangular wedges to form the wings 40. A plurality of connecting strips 30, each having a series of pedestals 10 and wings 40, could then be interconnected and cut to form the module 50. Alternatively, other material than wings 40 could be used to interconnect the plurality of connecting strips 30 into a module 50.
The foregoing is, however, provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A flooring system comprising:
- a. a plurality of strips arranged generally parallel to each other, in each of which are formed at least two pedestals, separated by sections of generally flat strip;
- b. means for connecting the strips comprising a connector integrally formed with at least one strip and connecting the at least one strip with an adjacent, generally parallel strip; and
- c. a floor panel supported by the pedestals.
2. The flooring system of claim 1 in which the strips are formed of sheet metal.
3. The flooring system of claim 1 further comprising means for fixing the strips to the floor.
4. The flooring system of claim 1 in which the means for connecting the strips connectors comprises wings formed from the strips.
5. The flooring system of claim 4 in which the wings of each strip are overlapped and connected by a staple.
6. The flooring system of claim 1 further comprising means for fixing the panel to one of the pedestals.
7. The flooring system of claim 6 in which the means for fixing the panel to one of the pedestals comprises a fastener for capturing the panel between a ring and the pedestal.
8. The flooring system of claim 1 in which each of the pedestals comprises a central, raised section supported by first and second flared legs, each of which is reinforced with a corner and a gusset.
9. A low profile, at least partially non-combustible, flooring system with means for organizing service lines traveling through the flooring system, comprising:
- a a support structure comprising: i. a plurality of strips in which are formed pedestals; and ii means for connecting the pedestals;
- b. a flow panel supported by the pedestals to thereby form channels; and
- c. means for organizing service lines traveling through the channels.
10. The flooring system of claim 9 further comprising:
- a. means for fixing at least one of the strips to the floor; and
- b. means for fixing the panel to one of the pedestals.
11. The flooring system of claim 9 in which the means for organizing comprises a housing placed between selected pedestals and shaped to be fixed in place by contact with the selected pedestals.
12. The flooring system of claim 1 in which the housing is substantially the same height as the pedestals and the upper surface of the housing defines a flange that is shaped to contact the upper surface of at least two pedestals.
13. The flooring system of claim 9 in which the pedestals comprise:
- a. a central section defining a first interlocking element; and
- b. legs, reinforced with rounded corners, for attaching the central section, to at least one of the plurality of strips.
14. The flowing system of claim 13 further comprising means for electrically connecting the support structure.
15. A flooring system for providing channels through which cables can travel comprising:
- a. modules adapted to be placed over an existing floor, comprising interconnected strips bearing at least two supports, each support comprising: (i) a central section with a first interlocking element; and (ii) means for maintaining the central section above, and connecting the central section to, a section of generally flat strip; and
- b. a floor panel that is maintained above the floor by the supports and has a second interlocking element designed to engage interlock with the first interlocking element.
16. The flooring system of claim 15 in which the strips are interconnected via laterally extending wings.
17. The flooring system of claim 16 in which each wing is formed from a section of strip.
18. A low profile flooring system comprising:
- a. a support framework using a plurality of modules placed upon the floor, each module comprising a lattice formed from a series of generally parallel strips bearing pedestals;
- b. means for interconnecting the strips to form a generally grid-like pattern of pedestals, comprising a connector integrally formed with at least one strip and connecting the at least one strip with an adjacent, generally parallel strip;
- c. a floor panel; and
- d. means for fixing the floor panel to at least some of the pedestals.
19. The flooring system of claim 18 in which each module further comprises a border strip.
20. The flooring system of claim 18 in which each pedestal comprises a central section having a first interlocking element and at least two legs for supporting the central section above a strip.
21. The flooring system of claim 20 in which each leg comprises a flat section having rounded corners and a gusset for increased strength.
22. A low profile, at least partially non-combustible, flooring system with means for organizing service lines traveling through the flooring system, comprising:
- a. a support structure comprising: i. a plurality of strips in which are formed pedestals; ii. means for connecting the strips comprising connectors integrally formed with at least one strip and connecting the at least one strip with an adjacent, generally parallel strip;
- b. a floor panel supported by the pedestals to thereby form channels; and
- c. means for organizing service lines traveling through the channels.
23. The flooring system of claim 1, wherein each pedestal in the system is adjacent at least two other pedestals in the system.
24. A flooring assembly comprising:
- a. a plurality of pedestals, each comprising a central section with a first interlocking element, wherein: (i) at least two generally flat sheet metal connectors are integrally-formed with each pedestal; (ii) one of the at least two generally flat sheet metal connectors extends from the pedestal with which it is integrally-formed perpendicular to another connector integrally-formed with that pedestal; (iii) each pedestal further comprises means for maintaining the central section above, and connecting the central section to, the at least two generally flat sheet metal connectors; and (iv) each pedestal is connected to at least two adjacent pedestals, each pedestal being connected to at least one of the adjacent pedestals by at least one sheet metal connector integrally-formed with the pedestal; and
- b. a floor panel supported by the pedestals and comprising a second interlocking element designed to engage the first interlocking element.
25. The flooring assembly of claim 24, wherein at least one of the at least two sheet metal connectors integrally-formed with each pedestal is also integrally-formed with at least one of the adjacent pedestals.
26. The flooring assembly of claim 24, wherein at least one pedestal is connected to at least four adjacent pedestals.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 14, 1999
Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
Assignee: Guildford (Delaware), Inc. (Guildord, ME)
Inventor: Jan J. Schilham (Aw Odijk)
Primary Examiner: Lanna Mai
Assistant Examiner: Phi Dieu Tran A
Attorney: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
Application Number: 09/418,693
International Classification: E04B 5/43 (20060101);
