US4065896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bottomless trench duct
Assignee: POWER LINE PRODUCTS Inc
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Filing: 1977-03-21
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1997-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An underfloor electrical distribution system is comprised of a bottomless trench duct transversely overlying a cellular subfloor deck assembly. The bottomless trench duct has spaced-apart, parallel L-shaped side rails, the vertical legs of which terminate in an inverted U-shaped channel and form the sidewalls of the trench. Preshaped void closure plates, which are attached to the side rails, transversely extend into the troughs of the cellular subfloor deck assembly to prevent the ingress of concrete into the trench duct while the concrete floor is being constructed. The preshaped void closure plates may be held in place within the inverted U-shaped channel by means of rivets fastened to the vertical leg of the side rail. Alternatively, horizontal slots in the inverted U-shaped channel may be cut to receive the void closure plates, which are frictionally held within the U-shaped channel.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Penczak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:07
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B5/00; E04B5/48; H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/28; H02G3/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In an underfloor electrical distribution system, including a cellular subfloor duct assembly having crests and troughs defining raceway cells, a bottomless trench duct comprising a cover and spaced supporting side rail means fixed to said crests and running generally perpendicular thereto said cover being attached to said supporting side rail means, and individually replaceable void closure means depending from said supporting side rails into said troughs, whereby a closure means may be chosen to conform to the configuration of a particular trough and a series of closure means may conform to the spacing between troughs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In an underfloor electrical distribution system, including a cellular subfloor duct assembly having crests and troughs defining raceway cells, a bottomless trench duct comprising a cover and spaced supporting side rail means fixed to said crests and running generally perpendicular thereto said cover being attached to said supporting side rail means, and individually replaceable void closure means depending from said supporting side rails into said troughs, whereby a closure means may be chosen to conform to the configuration of a particular trough and a series of closure means may conform to the spacing between troughs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 1, wherein said supporting side rails are generally L-shaped having a horizontal leg portion transversely overlying said cellular subfloor duct assembly, and an upwardly extending vertical leg portion terminating in an inverted U-shaped channel adapted to receive a plurality of individually replaceable void closure means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 2, wherein said individually replaceable void closure means is comprised of a substantially flat plate having a periphery shaped to conform to the configuration of a particular trough, wherein at least one surface of said void closure plate is dimpled, and wherein said U-shaped channel is adapted to hold said void closure means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 2, wherein said upwardly extending vertical leg portion of the supporting side rail is provided with spaced means defining apertures adapted to receive rivets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 2, wherein said individually replaceable void closure means is comprised of a substantially flat plate having a periphery shaped to conform to the configuration of a particular trough and having means defining apertures located on said closure means adapted to receive rivets and wherein said void closure plate is rigidly connected to said vertical leg portion of the side rail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 2, wherein said inverted U-shaped channel of the supporting side rail is provided with a plurality of spaced slots which are adapted to receive a plurality of individually replaceable void closure means within said U-shaped channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 6, wherein said U-shaped channel is bent inwardly toward said vertical leg to hold said void closure means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 6, wherein an edge of said horizontal leg is bent upwardly to form a channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 8, wherein slots are cut into the channel on said horizontal leg.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
A bottomless trench duct comprising a cover and supporting side rail means adapted to be affixed to a cellular subfloor duct assembly said cover being attached to said supporting side rail means, said subfloor duct assembly having crests and troughs running generally perpendicularly to said duct, a plurality of individually replaceable void closure means depending from said side rail means, said void closure means having a periphery shaped to conform to the configuration of a particular trough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
A bottomless trench duct comprising a cover and supporting side rail means adapted to be affixed to a cellular subfloor duct assembly said cover being attached to said supporting side rail means, said subfloor duct assembly having crests and troughs running generally perpendicularly to said duct, a plurality of individually replaceable void closure means depending from said side rail means, said void closure means having a periphery shaped to conform to the configuration of a particular trough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 10, wherein said supporting side rail is generally L-shaped having a horizontal leg portion transversely overlying said cellular subfloor duct assembly and wherein said horizontal leg portion is fixed to a crest of said cellular subfloor duct assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 10, wherein said supporting side rail is generally L-shaped having a horizontal leg portion transversely overlying said cellular subfloor duct assembly and an upwardly extending vertical leg portion terminating in an inverted U-shaped channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 12, wherein said inverted U-shaped channel is provided with a plurality of spaced slots.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 13, wherein said spaced slots are adapted to receive a plurality of individually replaceable void closure means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
A bottomless trench duct according to claim 14, wherein said individually replaceable void closure means is comprised of a substantially flat plate having a periphery shaped to conform to the configuration of a particular trough and wherein at least one surface of said void closure plate is dimpled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |