US4773196A — Flooring panels for free cable laying

Claim 1

Independent Claim 123 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a generally flat floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of solid blocks; holding means including a sheet of flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections cotnaining at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections and a primary surface of the sheet; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 123 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a generally flat floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of solid blocks; holding means including a sheet of flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections cotnaining at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections and a primary surface of the sheet; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein, said covering member is formed of a flat plate of a rigid material; said flat plate having a slit formed therein to allow the flat plate to be bent.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said covering member has an opening formed therein through which a cable can be pulled out from the cable laying space.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 60 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cable laying space includes at least one cable laying duct extending in a first direction, and at least one cable laying duct extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; said covering member being of a flat configuration covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying ducts.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein, each of said sections includes a plurality of blocks; a gap being defined between adjacent ones of said blocks.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein a layer of shock absorbing material is formed on at least one primary surface of said covering member, said shock absorbing material absorbing mechanical shocks.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

A flooring panel in accordance with claim 6, wherein said layer of shock absorbing material includes a layer of electro-statically implanted fibers.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 6, wherein said layer of shock absorbing material is made of a material selected from a group consisting of synthetic resin and rubber.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 182 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for hodling said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying spaced defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said cable laying space being defined in plan in a generally symmetrical cruciform shape; a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel, said covering member having a generally symmetrical cruciform shape in plan substantially corresponding to the cable laying space; and an opening defined in said covering member, said opening permitting a cable to be pulled therethrough from said cable laying space, said opening being formed in one arm of the cruciform shape of said covering member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 182 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for hodling said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying spaced defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said cable laying space being defined in plan in a generally symmetrical cruciform shape; a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel, said covering member having a generally symmetrical cruciform shape in plan substantially corresponding to the cable laying space; and an opening defined in said covering member, said opening permitting a cable to be pulled therethrough from said cable laying space, said opening being formed in one arm of the cruciform shape of said covering member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 163 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising; a plurality of of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defining between adjacent ones of the sections; a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel; an opening defined in said covering member, said opening permitting a cable to be pulled therethrough from said cable laying space; and a holding member engageable with a cable pulling out device attached to said opening, said holding member holding the calbe pulling out device to said covering member.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 163 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising; a plurality of of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defining between adjacent ones of the sections; a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel; an opening defined in said covering member, said opening permitting a cable to be pulled therethrough from said cable laying space; and a holding member engageable with a cable pulling out device attached to said opening, said holding member holding the calbe pulling out device to said covering member.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 135 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said holding means comprising a flexible flat plate member, said blocks being held on one primary surface of said plate member; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 135 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said holding means comprising a flexible flat plate member, said blocks being held on one primary surface of said plate member; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 131 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defining between adjacent ones of the sections, said holding means further comprises a layer of flexible material covering and holding said blocks from above; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 131 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defining between adjacent ones of the sections, said holding means further comprises a layer of flexible material covering and holding said blocks from above; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 150 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means icnlduing a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said holding means further comprising; a flexible flat plate member for holding said blocks on one primary surface of said plate member, and a layer of flexible material for covering and holding said blocks from above; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 150 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means icnlduing a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said holding means further comprising; a flexible flat plate member for holding said blocks on one primary surface of said plate member, and a layer of flexible material for covering and holding said blocks from above; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 140 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing a plurality of blocks with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said blocks being removably held by said holding means whereby an additional space communicating with the cable laying space is formed by selectively removing said blocks; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 140 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing a plurality of blocks with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said blocks being removably held by said holding means whereby an additional space communicating with the cable laying space is formed by selectively removing said blocks; and a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 14, further comprising an additional covering member overlying an upper opening of the additional space.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 148 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said sections defining said cable laying spaces intersecting one another; a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel; and a spacer member that can be arranged at an intersection of the spaces for spacing cables mutually intesecting at the intersection from one another.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 148 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections, said sections defining said cable laying spaces intersecting one another; a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel; and a spacer member that can be arranged at an intersection of the spaces for spacing cables mutually intesecting at the intersection from one another.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 162 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections; a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel; a flat plate having a cut-out portion for receiving said blocks; and means for supporting said flat plate with the cut-out portion at at least one position intermediate in height of said blocks whereby the cable laying space is divided into a plurality of layers by said flat plate.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 162 words

A flooring panel to be laid on a floor of a building for placing a cable therein, comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material for holding said blocks, said blocks defining a plurality of sections, each of said sections containing at least one block with a cable laying space defined between adjacent ones of the sections; a covering member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the cable laying space, said covering member presenting a surface that is continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said flooring panel; a flat plate having a cut-out portion for receiving said blocks; and means for supporting said flat plate with the cut-out portion at at least one position intermediate in height of said blocks whereby the cable laying space is divided into a plurality of layers by said flat plate.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 35 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 17, wherein said flat plate is substantially equal in size to said covering member, said cut-out portion being formed in the form of apertures corresponding to said blocks.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 77 words

The flooring panel in accordance with claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of blocks includes a column defining one of the sections, said columns being held in an array by said holding means; said flat plate being of substantially the same size as the rectangle formed by mutually adjacent four of said blocks arranged in the array, said cut-out portions being in the form of notches each partially receiving an associated one of said four blocks.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 156 words

A flooring panel system wherein a plurality of modular flooring panels of at least one type are laid on a floor of a building, each of said modular flooring panels comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material generally rectangular in plan configuration for holding said blocks so that said blocks define a plurality of sections, each of said sections including at least one block with a space for laying a cable defined between adjoining ones of said sections; and a cover member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the space, said cover member presenting a surface cortinuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said modular flooring panel; whereby the cable laying spaces are defined in communication with one another when said modular flooring panels are laid on the building floor.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 156 words

A flooring panel system wherein a plurality of modular flooring panels of at least one type are laid on a floor of a building, each of said modular flooring panels comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material generally rectangular in plan configuration for holding said blocks so that said blocks define a plurality of sections, each of said sections including at least one block with a space for laying a cable defined between adjoining ones of said sections; and a cover member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the space, said cover member presenting a surface cortinuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said modular flooring panel; whereby the cable laying spaces are defined in communication with one another when said modular flooring panels are laid on the building floor.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 191 words

A flooring panel wherein a plurality of modular flooring panels of plural types are laid on a floor of a building, each of said modular flooring panels comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material generally rectangular in plan configuration for holding said blocks so that said blocks define a plurality of sections, each of said sections including at least one block with a space for laying a cable defined between adjacent ones of said sections, said spaces being different among the plural types of said modular flooring panels in at least one of shape, size, number and position; and a cover member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the space, said cover member presenting a surface continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said modular flooring panel; whereby the cable laying spaces are defined in communication with one another when said modular flooring panels of the different types are selectively laid on the building floor under a cable laying condition including the number of cables.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 191 words

A flooring panel wherein a plurality of modular flooring panels of plural types are laid on a floor of a building, each of said modular flooring panels comprising: a plurality of blocks of solid material; holding means including a flexible material generally rectangular in plan configuration for holding said blocks so that said blocks define a plurality of sections, each of said sections including at least one block with a space for laying a cable defined between adjacent ones of said sections, said spaces being different among the plural types of said modular flooring panels in at least one of shape, size, number and position; and a cover member supported by at least a portion of said blocks for covering at least an upper opening of the space, said cover member presenting a surface continuous with upper surfaces of said blocks to form a substantially flat, top surface of said modular flooring panel; whereby the cable laying spaces are defined in communication with one another when said modular flooring panels of the different types are selectively laid on the building floor under a cable laying condition including the number of cables.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-09-27	1992-03-28	1992-09-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-09-27	1996-03-28	1996-09-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-09-27	2000-03-28	2000-09-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Flooring panels for free cable laying

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