Abstract: The invention relates to an aerated flooring system for use athletic arenas or gymnasiums. The flooring system includes a top layer that provides a surface for the activities to be conducted on the floor. The system also includes at least one ventilation device. The ventilation device covers an air flow shaft within the flooring system, helping to prevent debris from falling in the air flow shaft, but allowing air to flow through the ventilation device. The ventilation device allows air to ventilate out of the flooring system. A support layer below the top layer provides support to the flooring system. A ventilation layer below the flooring is sized to allow air movement through the layer. The air flow shafts allow air to travel from the ventilation layer to the ventilation device. A base is below the ventilation layer and provides support for the flooring system above. A blowing device is controlled by a computer system that monitors the system using sensors.

Abstract: A composite floor structure comprises a mortar layer set by a mineral agent and a carrier plate adjoining the lower surface of the mortar layer. The carrier plate has upwardly projecting structural members extending into the mortar. The dimensions of the mortar coating over the structural members are so low that the structures created in the mortar by the structural members represent weak areas. When stresses arise in the mortar layer, joint face assemblies connecting weak areas are formed to reduce stress in a uniform manner. By forming different joint face assemblies, a joint face structure is produced, wherein to reduce stress, the stress causing the mortar to fracture only results in a low level of longitudinal change in each individual joint face. Consequently, each individual joint face only takes the form of a microcrack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment intended therefore for making a building board 2, comprising a body 5 fitted with a locking device in the form of a strip 10 extended from the body 5 with a formed locking surface 14 for mechanical joining of the board 2 to similar boards, the strip 10 and the locking surface 14 being formed in one piece from a blank 40. The invention is characterized by carrying out the following steps A and B in optional order: A, forming the locking surface 14 against a forming surface 64 and subsequently keeping the locking surface 14 thus formed fixed in relation to the forming surface 64 until both step A and step B have been carried out, B. attaching the strip 10 to the body S and, while carrying out the latter of steps A and B, by keeping the body S fixed against a reference surface 70, whose position in relation to the forming surface 64 corresponds to a desired position of the locking surface 14 in relation to the body S.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a planar array of photovoltaic panels to a roof is formed from a set of parallel spaced juxtaposed rails which are intersected by a set of parallel spaced juxtaposed runners that extend perpendicular to the rails. Both the runners and the rails are formed of sheet metal and are shaped in cross section so as to partially surround a space. Both the rails and the runners have upwardly opening apertures bordered by flanges. The flanges of the rails are coplanar with the flanges of the runners. The photovoltaic modules rest on the flanges, thereby covering the apertures and enclosing the space within the rails and the runners. This space serves as a protective raceway for the electrical interconnections and wiring. Because the entire structure is a single electrical conductor, grounding of the modules is simplified. Compared to other mounting systems, the structure is lighter in weight, simpler to install, extremely strong, and protective of the electrical interconnections.

Abstract: A flooring system for providing a floor surface in a camping tent. The flooring system includes a plurality of interlocking planks each comprising upper and lower faces, a pair of opposite end edges, a pair of side edges extending between the end edges of the interlocking plank, and a longitudinal axis extending between the end edges of the interlocking plank. A first of the side edges of each interlocking plank has an elongate channel therein extending between the end edges of the interlocking plank. A second of the side edges of each interlocking plank has an elongate tongue portion outwardly extending therefrom between the end edges of the interlocking plank. Each of the end edges of each interlocking plank has a socket therein extending between the side edges of the interlocking plank. The interlocking planks are arranged in a row along the side edges of the interlocking planks such that the longitudinal axes of the interlocking planks are generally parallel to one another.

Abstract: A resilient flooring formed over a non-resilient base floor comprising an upper surface of hardwood flooring secured with a subsurface of plywood panels and a plurality of spaced parallel sleepers arranged across the base floor for supporting the flooring and subsurface. Each sleeper is formed with an upper surface and lower surface of equal width and opposed vertical sides. The upper surface supports and is secured with the subsurface. The lower surface of each sleeper includes a pillow of resilient material secured therewith which act to separate the sleeper from the sub-floor. Parallel grooves are formed in the opposed sides of each sleeper and securing clips having upper extensions are arranged along opposite sides of each sleeper with the extensions extending to the parallel grooves. The securing clips are secured with the sub-flooring.

Abstract: An oscillatory floor surface for standing thereupon. The surface is supported at at least three points each having two circular cups mounted above one another. Each has a spherical depression in confrontation to define a space. A ball is in the space. The cups being affixed to each other by an elastic annular casing. The casing being held to each of the cups by a band.

Abstract: A floor system composed of a finished flooring preferably secured to a subfloor, a plurality of shock absorber members are fixed to the bottom surface of the floor surface at spaced intervals and in which each of the shock absorber members includes an elastomeric base member provided with a cavity which accommodates an insert member for adjusting the cushioning ability of the base member.

Abstract: A portable floor system has a plurality of modular floor sections each formed by floorboards and a subfloor for support and each having either a tongue or a groove at its periphery. A plurality of spaced-apart floor joists extend downwardly from the subfloor. The tongues and grooves are matingly arranged. Mounted to the undersurface of each floor section are one or more wedging clips configured to cooperate with a clip of an adjacent section to interconnect adjacent floor sections.

Abstract: A resilient portable sports floor system, more particularly one which is formed of a plurality of components which may be easily interconnected to form an integrated sports surface. The floor system includes a plurality of floor panels, each floor panel including a playing surface and four sides, at least one floor panel attachment mechanisms on each side of the floor panel, and a drive mechanism attached to each of said floor panels and attached to a floor panel attachment mechanism, the drive mechanism including a threaded rod. When the threaded rod is rotated it moves the drive mechanism with respect to the floor panel.

Abstract: There is described a building component in combination with one or more spacers. The building component comprises a base element adapted to be positioned on a surface of a building structure and a pair of mutually spaced side members which project from the base element to define a longitudinal channel for the receipt of a supporting batten to which a further surface layer may be secured. The building component is adapted to allow the insertion of the or each spacer between the base element and the supporting batten in the direction transverse to the longitudinal channel.There is also described a spacer comprising a base section and a pair of mutually spaced side walls in which the base section of the spacer is adapted to overlie the base element of the building component and extend transversely of the longitudinal channel.There is also described a building component comprising one or more frangible regions spaced at intervals along the length of the channel.

Abstract: A finger jointed floorboard or laminatable floorboard section of two connected shorter pieces includes a relatively thick upper wear region which may be sanded without exposing the fingers forming the connection, regardless of whether or not the pieces are connected in the same longitudinal and transverse horizontal planes. The structure and orientation of this finger joint allows flooring manufacturers to maximize the yield of typically solid, good quality floorboard material and to reduce installation costs, without adversely affecting the aesthetic quality of the installed floor. In one embodiment, a finger jointed board with a central finger joint is sawed in a horizontal plane through the joint to produce two identical, laminatable floorboard sections. With a thicker starting board having two separate, spaced finger joint connections, sawing along a horizontal midplane produces two identical intermediate boards, each with a centrally located finger joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connection allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.

Abstract: A fastener for timber decking, fences, pallets and the like comprises a joist attachment plate (11), with one or more fastening apertures (12) therein, one or more spacing flanges (13) locatable between joists (20) and planks (30), a plank spacer (14) extending between adjacent planks (30) and axially aligned plank engaging teeth (17, 18) extending from opposed sides of the plank spacer (14) to engage respective side surfaces of adjacent planks (30).

Abstract: A portable activity floor comprised of a plurality of separate panels that can be readily and selectively interlocked together into a finalized configuration. Each panel has an underlayment providing a core with spaced stringers fastened to the underside thereof. Elongated finishing strips mounted on the upper surface of the underlayment form the outer surface of the panel. In one type of floor assembly, alternate strips are longer than their adjacent strips at the inner side of each panel to form laterally spaced interlock fingers. A pair of hinge members pivotally connects adjacent panels to one another and allows them to be relatively pivoted on a fixed axis with finger interlock alignment accuracy from an initial connected position to a fully assembled position in which the fingers of the finishing strips closely mesh and interlock. Further, the hinge members when connected prevent lateral movement of adjacent panels.

Abstract: A laminate composition of a thin film of low density polyethylene adhered to a sheet of low density polyethylene foam by means of a very thin layer of low density polyethylene. The polyethylene foam has a low density which is preferably between about 1.9 pcf and about 2.2 pcf. The bottom polyethylene film serves as a vapor barrier. One side of the polyethylene film extends beyond one edge of the polyethylene foam sheet. The laminate composition is installed in a free floating manner on the concrete subflooring, with the polyethylene film or the polyethylene foam sheet contacting the surface of the concrete subflooring. The laminate composition is usually in long strips, so when it is installed one edge of one strip overlies the extended portion of the polyethylene film of an adjacent strip. Tape having adhesive on both sides can be positioned between the overlay region to adhere together the overlaid portions to prevent movement thereof during installation of the laminate wood finish flooring.

Abstract: An improved ledger beam is provided which securely forms a load transferring connection with joist members without the need for separate material connectors which must be welded or fastened to the ledger beam. The ledger beam has a series of shear tabs integrally formed from the ledger beam's parent material which serve as points of fastening between the ledger beam and the joists. Also provided is a method of transferring loads from joist members to ledger members in a structural floor arrangement without the need for separate material connectors which must be welded or fastened to the ledger beam.

Abstract: A modular floor tile has a two piece construction including a top member and a support member. The top member is made of a relatively hard material that is resistant to scuffing and which accepts paints. The support member is made of a resilient, impact-absorbing material and is secured to the underside of the top member. The material of the support member is selected to give the desired impact-absorbing characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of support nodes extend downward from a bottom surface of the support member. The support nodes are spaced from one another so as to define an air circulation space between the bottom surface of the support member and the underlying support surface. The modular floor tiles also include interlocking members for interlocking adjacent tiles with one another.

Abstract: A finger jointed floorboard or laminatable floorboard section of two connected shorter pieces includes a relatively thick upper wear region which may be sanded without exposing the fingers forming the connection, regardless of whether or not the pieces are connected in the same longitudinal and transverse horizontal planes. The structure and orientation of this finger joint allows flooring manufacturers to maximize the yield of typically solid, good quality floorboard material and to reduce installation costs, without adversely affecting the aesthetic quality of the installed floor. In one embodiment, a finger jointed board with a central finger joint is sawed in a horizontal plane through the joint to produce two identical, laminatable floorboard sections. With a thicker starting board having two separate, spaced finger joint connections, sawing along a horizontal midplane produces two identical intermediate boards, each with a centrally located finger joint.

Abstract: A floor squeak and pop eliminator. The apparatus includes a two-flanged angle bracket to which is adhered a compressible shim or block. The bracket is fastened to the floor joist in the proximity of the floor noise source, with the compressible shim in contact with the underside of the floor. Screws are turned upward through the bracket and the compressible shim and into the floor, compressing the shim and drawing the floor down to the joist and securing the floor to the shim to eliminate the squeak.

Abstract: A resilient flooring system for assembly on a base surface to provide a resilient floor. The system includes a plurality of multi-layer planar panels having a flooring layer and a support layer. The flooring layer consist of a plurality of multi-length hardwood shorts secured with the support layer. The panels include an exposed side and end where the edge areas of the support layer are uncovered by the flooring layer. Also, there is provided a covered side and end where the flooring layer overlays the edges of a side and end of the support layer. Shoulders are formed in each end of the panel members. Securing strips having opposed flanges are arranged over the base floor to extend over the shoulder at each panel end to secure the panels in position. Resilient strips are provided between the base floor and the flooring panels to allow limited vertical movement.

Abstract: The flooring, preferably made in the form of modules which can be likened approximately to large tiles, is composed essentially of a tread layer comprising a core of high or medium density material (HDF or MDF) with a laminate layer, for example of melamine, applied to at least one of its faces, preferably to the lower face, as well as a plurality of support feet having selectively determined resilience characteristics, the spatial distribution of which in the plane of the flooring gives the flooring itself completely homogeneous mechanical characteristics.

Abstract: A method of deck construction using polymer plastic lumber. Firstly, form a frame structure. Secondly, provide a plurality of polymer plastic boards having at least one axially extending groove. Thirdly, secure each of the polymer plastic boards to the frame structure by means of clips having projecting tabs that fit into the axially extending groove of the polymer plastic board. This securely fastens the polymer plastic board to the frame structure while permitting the axially extending groove to move along the tabs of the fixed clips upon thermal expansion and contraction of the polymer plastic board.

Abstract: A method for laying and mechanically joining rectangular building panels in parallel rows includes the steps of (a) placing a new one of the panels adjacent to a long edge of a previously laid first one of the panels in a first row and to a short edge of a previously laid second one of the panels in an adjacent second row, such that the new one of the panels is in the second row, while holding the new one of the panels at an angle relative to a principal plane of the first panel, such that the new one of the panels is spaced from its final longitudinal position relative to said second panel and such that the long edge of the new panel is provided with a locking groove which is placed upon and in contact with a locking strip at the adjacent long edge of the first panel; (b) subsequently angling down the new one of the panels so as to accommodate a locking element of the strip of the first panel in the locking groove of the new panel, whereby the new panel and the first panel are mechanically connected with eac

Abstract: A structure for decks or other structures is disclosed which utilizes recycled plastic lumber decking planks which slide onto a rigid frame. The frame includes supporting members having protruding "T"-shaped connectors which selectively fit into preformed grooves on the side surfaces of the plastic planks. The manner in which the planks are secured to the frame allows for the expansion and contraction of the individual plank lengths due to temperature variations. In addition, brackets are provided which fasten railings and the like to the rigid frame.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending construction panel is adapted to interconnect with a like panel to form a waterproof connection. A leverage arrangement including a fulcrum adjacent mating surfaces of the panels is utilized to seat the mating surfaces. Rotation of a panel about the fulcrum permits the mating surfaces to be pressed together with a force sufficient to deform the contact surfaces together to provide a watertight seal therebetween. The width of the rotated panel provides a lever arm to aid in application sufficient force to accomplish the sealing effect. The fulcrum in cooperation with a support leg and a base plate, forms a water tight drain channel below the sealed contacting surfaces. Control of the dimensions of the panel permits lateral movement between assembled panels.

Abstract: The invention is directed to metal planking used to construct planar surfaces, such as patio, porch and balcony decks, and interior floors and roofs of structures. The metal planking comprises an elongated strut and a slidable cap that covers the strut after the strut is fastened to support members in the structure. The strut includes a first flange and first web spaced apart from a second flange and second web, and a cord extending between the first web and the second web. The cord provides a surface for fastening the strut to the support members of the structure, and the cord includes at least one corrugation extending in an upward direction to a location adjacent the plane of the first and second strut flanges. The slidable cap includes a first hem extending along one edge of the cap, and a second hem extending along the opposite edge of the cap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a subfloor system for placement over a substrate. The subfloor consists of a base, a resilient pad, an upper member, and brackets. The resilient pad is positioned on the base, preferably within an elongated slot formed in the upper surface of the base. The upper member is operably connected to the top surface of the resilient pad. The upper member has a projection and two shoulders. The brackets have an upper and lower tab and are secured to the base and to the upper member. The lower tab is adapted to fit within the base and the upper tab rests on the corresponding shoulder of the upper member. When under load, the resilient pad compresses thereby causing the upper member to move towards the base. The brackets, however, limit vertical movement of the upper member relative to the base. The invention also includes a method of forming a resilient sports floor employing such a subfloor system.

Abstract: A method for assembling floor boards includes the steps of: (a) providing a supporting joist fixedly mounted on a floor; (b) providing a plurality of floor boards on the supporting joist; (c) providing a plurality of fastener members each mounted on the supporting joist for securing each of the floor boards on the supporting joist; and (d) combining each of the floor boards consecutively.

Abstract: The impact wall element (1) for gentle deceleration of a human body impacting an obstacle has a two-zone structure. The first zone comprises a lightweight, plastically deformable sandwich cover plate (10) with two thin cover layers (11, 12) and an intermediately positioned, lightweight, deformable support core (13). In the second zone are provided discreet, spaced, plastically deformable spacing elements (21), which carry the cover plate and are supported on a fixed substrate (5). The thickness D2 of the second zone is more than twice the thickness D1 of the first zone. The lightweight wall element leads to a gentle interception on the shortest possible path, particularly in the case of a head impact in motor vehicles or aircraft.

Abstract: A new moveable grass field for providing natural turf playfields for enclosed sports stadiums. The inventive device includes a suprastructure base secured to and spanning a system of wheels for movement in and out of a sports stadium. A layer of cement is disposed above the suprastructure base. A layer of rocks are disposed above the layer of cement. A layer of gravel is disposed above the layer of rocks. A layer of sand is disposed above the layer of gravel. A layer of soil is disposed above the layer of sand. A layer of sod is disposed above the layer of soil.

Abstract: A face mounting infilling system for walls and linings of buildings. The infilling elements are designed at their ends in such a way that they may be clamped to the upper edges of lower linking units, which in turn are designed in such a way that upper linking units may be snap-locked thereon.

Abstract: A fastening system for laths made of wood or similar material, serving to form a floor. The system makes it possible to fasten the laths so that they are juxtaposed without damaging them by using tongues in which bearings, provided with teeth, have been stamped. These tongues are placed on the subfloor and are either fastened directly, or secured in place by gravity using flexible rubber supports and alignment laths securing them at an equal distance from one another, thereby not damaging the subflooring. This fastening system makes it possible to easily install and remove laths and is very well adapted for its use with prevarnished wooden laths.

Abstract: A bearer design to support flat structural components has two crossing pluralities of parallel pairs of bands where girders form the bands. The girders are secured so as not to rotate on the outside of the connecting members in selected crossover regions between the pairs of bands.

Abstract: A floor, wall, roof, of ceilng of a building is made of specially adapted beams and overlying panels. The beams have a layer of foam material on their edges. The foam material can include a resiliently compressible material, a thermally insulating material, or a material which possesses both of these properties. The panels are positioned over the beams so that the foam material is sandwiched between the beams and the panels. When the panels are fastened to the beams, the resiliently compressible foam material partially compresses, thereby filling any gaps which may form between the beams and the panels. The resiliently compressible foam material thus prevents relative movement between the panel and the beams which would otherwise produce squeaks. When the foam material includes thermal insulating material, it forms a thermal barrier between panels and beams, especially metal beams, thereby eliminating various drawbacks of construction using metal beams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.

Abstract: A resilient pad for resiliently supporting a floor on a substrate is disclosed. The resilient pad includes a resilient inner element and an outer element which surrounds the inner element. The outer element is made of a material which is of higher durometer than the inner element, and is lower in profile than the inner element. Preferably the outer element is non-resilient. Under normal loads applied to the floor, the softer inner element contacts the substrate, resulting in desirable floor response characteristics. Under heavy loading, the harder outer element comes into contact with the substrate, thus supporting the floor and preventing damage to the inner element.

Abstract: An improved flooring assembly includes a determined number of foundation elements, flooring elements, decorative strip seats and decorative strips. The foundation elements are provided with side and vertical grooves as well as vertical strips. The front sides are provided with face blocks, face grooves and auxiliary grooves. The flooring elements facing the foundation elements are provided with corresponding face grooves, face blocks and auxiliary blocks. The sides thereof are provided with positioning grooves and blocks. The foundation elements may be joined in a transverse or longitudinal manner to cover the floor area. The flooring elements are laid on the foundation elements. The decorative strip seats together with the decorative strips are fitted to the periphery.

Abstract: A supporting element for supporting a construction on a supporting surface includes a bearing part with an inner section and two outer, bending resistant sections, spacer screws keeping the bearing part at a distance from the supporting surface, and clamping members extending upwardly from the outer sections to define a space for the receipt of an element of the construction. The inner section is bendable by the influence of the construction element load, and the clamping plates are located in a plane perpendicular to the construction element. The clamping plates press, in free engagement, against the opposite sides of the construction element with clamping forces generated by the construction element load on the bendable inner section.

Abstract: A patio/floor assembly comprising interlocking plastic blocks with open drainage spaces which form a base for porous indoor/outdoor carpeting is disclosed. The carpet assembly allows the drainage of water through the carpet and plastic blocks and away from bottom of the patio/floor assembly. This avoids a build up of minerals on the substrate concrete of patios, decks, and balconies and avoids cracking of the concrete or damage to the permanent deck.

Abstract: An extruded plastic decking plank for mounting to an underlying support structure, the plank having a rigid foam core, a resilient outer plastic shell, and a clamping portion for securing the plank to the support structure. The top surface of the plank can be provided with a non-slip surface. The invention also includes an attachment system for securing such decking planks to a support structure by engaging the clamping portions of the decking planks onto clamps or hold down blocks which are secured onto the support structure, and which permit relative motion between the planks and the structure in the planks' lengthwise direction to prevent stress and buckling caused by uneven expansion.

Abstract: A floor construction of wood panels (12) overlying a base support (11) with a layer (13) of yieldably resilient materials (14, 15) sandwiched between the panels (12) and the base support (11). The materials (14, 15) are of mutually different stillnesses, one being a relatively large main panel area of an open-cellular material (14) and the other being a relatively small area of a closed-cellular material (15) in the form of strips bordering the main panel area. The open-cellular material (14) provides a large degree of vibration isolation, whilst the closed-cellular (stiffer) material (15) stabilizes the panels in the vicinity of panel-to-panel joints and/or the floor periphery.

Abstract: A resilient base flooring for assembly on a base surface comprising a plurality of subfloor panels carried above the base surface in substantial side-by-side and end-to-end arrangement to form a base floor having a continuous uninterrupted surface. A plurality of flooring boards are arranged to extend transversely of and are received with the sub-floor panels to define integral flooring system. Resilient members are disposed between the subfloor panels and the base surface to provide resilient support for the integral flooring. A first limit bar is connected with the base surface and a second limit bar is connected with an inner surface of the subfloor panels. The limit bars have overlying edges which interact to limit vertical movement of the integral flooring.

Abstract: An extrusion for use in a floor assembly that is secured to a rigid underlying support. The extrusion has an exposed surface and a base section underlying the exposed surface. The extrusion is made of a first extruded material, preferably a hard polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and more preferably a co-extrusion of a recycled polyvinyl chloride substrate covered by a weatherable polyvinyl chloride capstock. The base section has at least a portion thereof including a second extruded material which is interposed between the plastic extrusion and the rigid underlying support when the plastic extrusion is secured to the rigid underlying support. The second extruded material resists undesired squeaking sounds from occurring when weight bearing loads move on the floor assembly. A floor assembly adapted to be secured to an underlying rigid support and a complete floor assembly and rigid underlying support are also disclosed.

Abstract: A deck structure utilizing recycled plastic lumber decking planks which slide onto a rigid frame is provided. The frame includes supporting members having protruding "T"-shaped connectors which selectively fit into preformed grooves on the underside of the plastic planks. The manner in which the planks are secured to the frame allows for the expansion and contraction of the individual plank lengths due to temperature variations. In addition, brackets are provided which fasten railings and the like to the rigid frame.

Abstract: An arrangement in a protective membrane (1; 101; 201), particularly for floors (11; 111; 211), comprising a substantially plane membrane of a preferably rigid material, e.g.

Abstract: An anchored/resilient floor system includes at least one upper flooring layer supported by parallel rows of attachment members which are supported above a base by a plurality of compressible pads, the attachment members being secured to the base at predetermined positions therealong by a fastener construction which permits downward deflection under loaded conditions but prevents vertical raising of the members beyond their initial static position. The attachment members are anchored in a manner which does not hold the pads in a precompressed state when the floor is unloaded. The fastener construction may include a one, two or three piece construction. The single member fastener construction is particularly suitable for reanchoring or retrofitting an already installed floor at a significantly lower cost than that of installing a new floor, and the one-piece fastener construction also may be adapted for use with a portable floor.

Abstract: A floor structure comprises a flooring arranged on top of a lower and an upper layer of parallel joists with a uniform mutual distance, the joists of one layer extending substantially perpendicular to the joists of the second layer. The lower layer of joists are arranged on chocks, at least one of which is located below the center between the upper joists arranged thereabove. Resilient spring elements are provided at the intersections between the two layers of joists. The layers of joists include prefabricated identical members fitting in one another, each member comprising a predetermined number of joists. The joists of the lower layer are equally long and project by half the joist distance of the upper layer of joists beyond the outermost joist at the adjacent end of the upper layer of joists.

Abstract: An extrusion for use in a floor assembly that is secured to a rigid underlying support. The extrusion has an exposed surface and a base section underlying the exposed surface. The extrusion is made of a first extruded material, preferably a hard polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and more preferably a co-extrusion of a recycled polyvinyl chloride substrate covered by a weatherable polyvinyl chloride capstock. The base section has at least a portion thereof including a second extruded material which is interposed between the plastic extrusion and the rigid underlying support when the plastic extrusion is secured to the rigid underlying support. The second extruded material resists undesired squeaking sounds from occurring when weight bearing loads move on the floor assembly. A floor assembly adapted to be secured to an underlying rigid support and a complete floor assembly and rigid underlying support are also disclosed.

Abstract: A duct chase frame is substituted for a portion of the length of a conventional wooden or metal floor joist to facilitate running hot or cold air ductwork, plumbing and even electrical wiring. The frame includes a pair of elongated metal channels of uniform cross-sectional configuration with two metal spacers spanning and maintaining a joist accepting separation between those channels. One of the spacers is generally U-shaped for receiving and cradling a lower edge of one end of a floor joist, and the other spacer has an inverted U-shape for engaging an upper edge of the floor joist in a location intermediate the joist ends. The inverted U-shaped support is located near a first end of the pair of metal channels and the U-shaped support is located intermediate the metal channel ends. There may be a second inverted U-shaped support near a second end of the pair of metal channels for maintaining the separation between the pair of channels and for receiving and supporting a floor nailer.