Composite preset block for underfloor wire distribution systems

Claim 1

A composite preset block assembly adapted to be embedded in and covered by a concrete floor above an underfloor wire distribution duct system, which assembly is convertible to a duct outlet communicating with said system, comprising: a block of a thermally insulating fire-resistant rupturable material suitable for permanent disposition in said floor, said block having a top, two opposed ends, and two opposed sides; a hold-down plate substantially covering said top and said ends of said block, said plate having a top access opening through which the material forming said block can be removed, said two sides of said block being substantially open to contact with said concrete; the dimensions of said block including its thickness being such that the void created in said concrete by the removal of said rupturable material from the assembly is suitable in size for the installation therein of a duct outlet assembly communicating with said duct system; and means for attaching said block and hold-down plate in contiguous relationship with said duct system and covering an aperture therein.

Claim 6

A method of adapting a poured concrete floor having an underfloor wire distribution duct system for providing outlet connections for said system, said method comprising the steps of: a. presetting, in a plurality of prospective outlet positions prior to pouring said concrete, a composite block assembly in contiguous relationship with and overlying an aperture in said duct system, said composite block assembly comprising a block of a thermally insulating fire-resistant rupturable material suitable for permanent disposition in said floor, said block having a top, two opposed ends and two opposed sides, and a hold-down plate substantially covering said top and said ends of said block, said plate having a top access opening through which the material forming said block can be removed, said two sides of said block being substantially open to contact with said concrete; the dimensions of said block incluing its thickness being such that the void created in said concrete by the removal of said rupturable material from the assembly is suitable in size for the installation therein of a duct outlet assembly communicating with said duct system; and b. pouring concrete to form said floor, said concrete coming into contact with all exposed surface of said composite block means, including said hold-down plate and said two sides, whereby access to said distribution system can be had after said concrete sets by removing the concrete overlying the access opening in said cover plate and removing the material of said block through said access opening, to form a void in said concrete floor through which said outlet connections can be made.

Claim 7

A method of adapting a poured concrete floor having an underfloor wire distribution duct system for providing outlet connections for said system, said method comprising the steps of: a. presetting, in a plurality of prospective outlet positions prior to pouring said concrete, a composite block assembly in contiguous relationship with and overlying an aperture in said duct system, said composite block assembly comprising a block of a thermally insulating fire-resistant rupturable material suitable for permanent disposition in said floor, said block having a top, two opposed ends and two opposed sides, and a hold-down plate substantially covering said top and said ends of said block, said plate having a top access opening through which the material forming said block can be removed, said two sides of said block being substantially open to contact with said concrete; the dimensions of said block incluing its thickness being such that the void created in said concrete by the removal of said rupturable material from the assembly is suitable in size for the installation therein of a duct outlet assembly communicating with said duct system; and b. pouring concrete to form said floor, said concrete coming into contact with all exposed surface of said composite block means, including said hold-down plate and said two sides, whereby access to said distribution system can be had after said concrete sets by removing the concrete overlying the access opening in said cover plate and removing the material of said block through said access opening, to form a void in said concrete floor through which said outlet connections can be made.

Claim 8

A method of providing outlet connections in a poured concrete floor having an underfloor wire distribution duct system, said method comprising the steps of: a. presetting, in a plurality of prospective outlet positions prior to pouring said concrete, a composite block assembly in contiguous relationship with and overlying an aperture in said duct system, said composite block assembly comprising a block of a thermally insulating fire-resistant rupturable material suitable for permanent disposition in said floor, said block having a top, two opposed ends and two opposed sides, and a hold-down plate substantially covering said top and said ends of said block, said plate having a top access opening through which the material forming said block can be removed, said two sides of said block being substantially open to contact with said concrete; the dimensions of said block including its thickness being such that the void created in said concrete by the removal of said rupturable material from the assembly is suitable in size for the installation therein of a duct outlet assembly communicating with said duct system; and b. pouring concrete to form said floor, said concrete coming into contact with all exposed surfaces of said composite block means, including said hold-down plate and said two sides; c. curing said concrete; d. removing the concrete overlying the access opening in said cover plate; e. removing the material of said block through said access opening, and f. completing an outlet connection to said wire distribution system through the void in said concrete floor created by the removal of said block.

Claim 9

A method of providing outlet connections in a poured concrete floor having an underfloor wire distribution duct system, said method comprising the steps of: a. presetting, in a plurality of prospective outlet positions prior to pouring said concrete, a composite block assembly in contiguous relationship with and overlying an aperture in said duct system, said composite block assembly comprising a block of a thermally insulating fire-resistant rupturable material suitable for permanent disposition in said floor, said block having a top, two opposed ends and two opposed sides, and a hold-down plate substantially covering said top and said ends of said block, said plate having a top access opening through which the material forming said block can be removed, said two sides of said block being substantially open to contact with said concrete; the dimensions of said block including its thickness being such that the void created in said concrete by the removal of said rupturable material from the assembly is suitable in size for the installation therein of a duct outlet assembly communicating with said duct system; and b. pouring concrete to form said floor, said concrete coming into contact with all exposed surfaces of said composite block means, including said hold-down plate and said two sides; c. curing said concrete; d. removing the concrete overlying the access opening in said cover plate; e. removing the material of said block through said access opening, and f. completing an outlet connection to said wire distribution system through the void in said concrete floor created by the removal of said block.