Patent US5111627A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5111627A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular-accessible-units
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-04-06
•
Granted: 1992-05-12
•
Expires: 2010-04-06
Abstract
Abstract An array of suspended structural load-bearing modular-accessible-pavers 189 comprising cast plates over a three-dimensional conductor-accommodative passage and foundation grid 161 comprising modular structural plates 162 and structural bearing supports 163, 164 or load-bearing plinths 172. The modular-accessible-pavers 189 have a tension reinforcement layer to enable them to withstand heady loads.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:30
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F15/00; E04F15/02; E04F15/024; E04F15/02405; E04F15/02417; E04F15/02423; E04F15/02429; E04F15/02005; E04F15/02016; E04F15/02447; E04F15/02494; E04F15/08; E04F15/18; E04F15/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A paver floor system comprising a conductor-accommodating supporting layer disposed over a base surface and an array of removable pavers disposed over the supporting layer, characterized in that the supporting layer comprises a plurality of plinths arranged in a patterned layout and removably supporting said array of pavers, each of said plinths having a plurality of vertically extending slots, and a plurality of side plates selectively insertable into said slots to selectively define conductor-accommodating passages and node boxes which are accessible beneath said array of removable pavers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A paver floor system comprising a conductor-accommodating supporting layer disposed over a base surface and an array of removable pavers disposed over the supporting layer, characterized in that the supporting layer comprises a plurality of plinths arranged in a patterned layout and removably supporting said array of pavers, each of said plinths having a plurality of vertically extending slots, and a plurality of side plates selectively insertable into said slots to selectively define conductor-accommodating passages and node boxes which are accessible beneath said array of removable pavers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said base surface comprises an earth base; and in that a plurality of modular structural plates is interposed between said earth base and said plinths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A paver floor system according to claim 2, characterized in that a cushioning granular substrate is interposed between said earth base and said modular structural plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A paver floor system according to claim 2, characterized in that said pavers, said modular structural plates, and said plinths are made from a castable, settable mix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A paver floor system according to claim 4, characterized in that said pavers, said plates, and said plinths are made from a castable, settable mix selected from the group consisting of cementitious concrete, polymer concrete, gypsum concrete, and gypsum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A paver floor system according to claim 2, characterized in that said pavers and said modular structural plates are reinforced by one or more layers of reinforcement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A paver floor system according to claim 4, characterized in that said mix for said plinths is strengthened by one or more mix consolidation means selected from the group consisting of vibration, shocking, and pressing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A paver floor system according to claim 4, characterized in that said mix for said pavers and said plates comprises a durable wearing surface and is strengthened by means of metallic filings in at least the upper 1/8 inch (3 mm) of said paver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A paver floor system according to claim 4, characterized in that said pavers, said modular structural plates, and said plinths are cast in permanent, disposable or reusable molds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A paver floor system according to claim 4, characterized in that said mix comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of cementitious-bound non-combustible aggregate and stone fillers and combustible shredded, chipped, and ground fiber fillers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said base surface comprises a cushioning granular substrate disposed over an earth base; and in that a plurality of modular structural plates is interposed between said substrate and said plinths.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A paver floor system according to claim 11, characterized in that one or more layers selected from the group consisting of a vapor barrier, a flexible modular positioning layer, and one or more slip sheets is disposed above, below or within said cushioning granular substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A paver floor system according to claim 11, characterized in that one or more layers selected from the group consisting of a vapor barrier, a flexible modular positioning layer, and one or more slip sheets is disposed above said modular structural plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A paver floor system according to claim 11, characterized in that fluid conductors for low Delta t heating and cooling are disposed above or below said modular structural plates or within said cushioning granular substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A paver floor system according to claim 11, characterized in that said plinths are structural bearing supports integrally cast with said modular structural plates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A paver floor system according to claim 11, characterized in that said plinths are structural bearing supports separately cast from said modular structural plates and adhered to said plates by means selected from the group consisting of sealants, adhesives and adhesive-backed foam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A paver floor system according to claim 11, characterized in that said plates are aligned and kept in place by means of cuttable splines inserted in slots made in the sides of said plates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers are reversible and have two good opposing wearing faces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A paver floor system according to claim 18, characterized in that one or more recessed aperture registry points is precision cast or drilled in one or both of said faces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
88 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers are reversible and have two good opposing wearing faces and a plurality of sides; and in that each said paver has a moldcast compression and filler core having two opposing faces and a plurality of sides; and in that a tension reinforcement resin layer is bonded to said faces and said sides of said core; and in that a resin bonded protective wearing layer is applied over and bonded to said tension reinforcement resin layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that each said node box has a removable bottom closure plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A paver floor system according to claim 21, characterized in that said side plates have a bottom leg to receive said removable bottom closure plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A paver floor system according to claim 21, characterized in that said removable bottom closure plate is fastened to said side plates by means selected from the group consisting of mechanical fastening, adhesion, riveting, welding, and magnets.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers have slots in their perimeter sides; and in that said pavers are aligned and kept in place by means of a plurality of removable flexible splines inserted into said slots.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said plinths have a vertical cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of a truncated cone, a truncated pyramid, a cylinder, a cube, an elongated cube, and any polygonal vertical cross-sectional shape having a flat top bearing surface and a flat bottom bearing surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers have top and bottom edges selected from the group consisting of beveled, eased, and bullnose; and in that said edges facilitates the adhering of an elastomeric sealant for assembling said pavers into fluidtight arrays.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said base surface comprises a layer or rigid foam insulation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more corners is removed from a plurality of said pavers to form apertures accommodating said node boxes at adjoining removed corners.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
A paver floor system according to claim 28, characterized in that said corners removed from said pavers have a form in top plan view selected from the group consisting of a straight angle cut at a symmetrical angle, a rounded convex form, and a rounded concave form.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
86 words
A paver floor system according to claim 28, characterized in that said node boxes have covers selected from the group consisting of solid covers, solid covers with one or more pass-through holes, hinged covers, lift-out lay-in covers with press-in and pull-out engagement, covers held in place magnetically, covers held in place mechanically by means of registry within said covers, covers held in place mechanically by means of registry within joints adjacent to said covers, and covers held in place by means of one or more fasteners.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers have a top wearing surface, a bottom bearing surface and a plurality of sides; and in that said bottom bearing surface has one or more recessed or projecting aperture registry points for mating to said supporting layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers are held in place over said supporting layer by gravity, friction, and assembly and have a flexible joint selected from the group consisting of unfilled tight butt joints, unfilled fractionally spaced-apart butt joints, and fractionally spaced-apart butt joints filled with foam and an elastomeric sealant.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
73 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers are held in place over said supporting layer by gravity, friction, and registry assembly and have a flexible joint comprising a spaced-apart foam-filled joint formed by a layer of foam adhered to alternate sides of said pavers, providing thereby one layer in said joint in that a side having a layer of foam mates with a side having no foam.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A paver floor system according to claim 33, characterized in that an elastomeric sealant is placed in said joint above said foam.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
73 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers are held in place over said supporting layer by gravity, friction, and registry assembly and have a flexible joint comprising a spaced-apart butt joint ranging in width from 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) to 1/4 inch (6 mm); and in that said joint accommodates passage and closing off of return air and supply air through a linear insert in said joint.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
74 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers are held in place over said supporting layer by gravity, friction, and registry assembly and have a flexible joint comprising a spaced-apart butt joint; and in that said pavers have beveled or eased top and bottom edges; and in that said joint comprises an unfilled joint or a cuttable, resealable elastomeric sealant joint formed in a fillet created between adjoining pavers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said plinths comprise assembly bearing pads having conductor passages arranged in a cross layout beneath said adjoining removed corners.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
A paver floor system according to claim 37, characterized in that said assembly bearing pads comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of virgin and recycled dense flexible foam, dense rigid foam, cementitious concrete, polymer concrete, gypsum concrete, gypsum, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, cast polymer injection-molded polymer, and metal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
A paver floor system according to claim 37, characterized in that a predetermined pattern layout of assembly bearing pad bearing points is marked on the top surface of a flexible modular positioning layer; and in that said bearing pads are loose laid on said bearing points.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
A paver floor system according to claim 39, characterized in that a horizontal disassociation cushioning layer is loose laid above or below said supporting layer at least at said bearing points and provides cushioning underfoot and between brittle materials.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
A paver floor system according to claim 39, characterized in that a horizontal disassociation cushioning layer is adhered to the bottom surface of said assembly bearing pads and to the bearing surface on which said pads rest.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
70 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers are kept in position by means of registry inserts having a central shaft, concentric rings, and a spacer head having two or more wings to fit in the joints between said pavers to provide registry and positioning of said pavers; and in that said shaft fits into a female registry aperture in the top of said plinths.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
51 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that each said paver has one or more registry apertures; and in that said aperture on the wearing surface of said paver is filled by a filler plug having a central shaft, concentric rings, and a head fitting into said aperture.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
68 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that each said paver has one or more registry inserts having a central shaft and concentric rings; and in that the lower half of said insert fits into a female registry aperture in the top of said plinth and the upper half of said insert fits into a female registry aperture running the entire depth of said paver.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
67 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that each said paver has one or more registry inserts having a central shaft and concentric rings; and in that the lower half of said insert fits into a female registry aperture in the top of said plinth and the upper half of said insert fits into a female registry aperture on the underside of said paver.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
70 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that each said paver has one or more registry inserts having an externally threaded central shaft; and in that the lower half of said insert fits into an internally threaded female registry aperture in the top of said plinth and the upper half of said insert fits into a female registry aperture cast into the full depth of said paver.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
87 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that each said paver has one or more mechanical screw holddown fasteners having a central shaft with external threads at one end and an integral round head at the opposing end; and in that said shaft fits into an aperture running the entire depth of said paver and then into an internally threaded aperture in said plinth; and in that said head has a mechanical torquing means selected from the group consisting of hexagonal, phillips, and slot.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
90 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that each said paver has one or more mechanical screw holddown fasteners having a central shaft with external threads at one end and a polygonally shaped holddown head at the opposing end; and in that said shaft fits into an aperture running the entire depth of said paver and then into an internally threaded aperture in said plinth; and in that said head has a countersunk aperture accommodating a fastener with a countersunk head to provide a flush wearing surface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
88 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that each said paver has one or more mechanical push-pull holddown fasteners having a central shaft, concentric rings at one end, and an integral holddown head at the opposing end; and in that said shaft fits into an aperture running the entire depth of said paver and then into a female aperture in said plinth; and in that said concentric rings have a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said female aperture, providing thereby a withdrawal resistance.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
105 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that a winged registry insert is positioned within an aperture in said plinth and extends between adjacent corner joints of adjacent pavers; and in that each said registry insert comprises four crosswise upwardly extending wings radially extended from one end of a central shaft at 90 degree angles to registry position said pavers between said wings; and in that the opposing end of said shaft has a plurality of concentric rings; and in that said concentric rings are inserted into a female registry engagement aperture centered in each said plinth positioned beneath said corner joints.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
102 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that a winged insert is positioned within adjacent corner joints of adjacent pavers; and in that each said registry insert comprises three upwardly extending wings radially extended from one end of a central shaft at 135, 90 and 135 degree angles to registry position said node boxes and said pavers between said wings; and in that the opposing end of said shaft has a plurality of concentric rings; and in that said concentric rings are inserted into a female registry engagement aperture centered in each said plinth positioned beneath said corner joints.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
A paver floor system according to claim 4, characterized in that said mix forms said plinths by means selected from the group consisting of casting in a form, die forming, extrusion, and injection molding.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said side plates are interchangeable and have at least one knockout.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
45 words
A paver floor system according to claim 20, characterized in that said moldcast core is reinforced by a top layer and a bottom layer of internal reinforcement; and in that said layers are spaced equidistantly from and close to said opposing faces of said core.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
83 words
A paver floor system according to claim 20, characterized in that granular filler materials are seeded into one or more of said layers; and in that said granular filler materials are selected from the group consisting of sand, pea gravel, crushed gravel, crushed stone, glass beads, ceramic beads, carborundum, and conductive powder; and in that said resin bonded protective wearing layer bonds said granular materials to said core and to adjoining granular materials and forms a tension web layer around said granular materials.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
75 words
A paver floor system according to claim 20, characterized in that said two opposing faces of said core contain a plurality of high tension resin reinforcing grooves on one or more axes; and in that said grooves are filled with a material comprising said tension reinforcement resin layer; and in that said grooves when filled comprise a high tension resin reinforcing grid bonded to both said opposing faces of said core and providing external reinforcement.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
A paver floor system according to claim 56, characterized in that reinforcing is placed in said grooves; and in that said reinforcing is bonded to said core by means of said tension reinforcement resin layer filling said grooves.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
59 words
A paver floor system according to claim 20, characterized in that said paver has a preformed permanent perimeter edge applied to all said sides; and in that said perimeter edge is fractionally deeper than said sides and forms a shallow containment to receive successive applications of said resin bonded protective wearing layer on said opposing faces of said core.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
45 words
A paver floor system according to claim 58, characterized in that said perimeter edge comprises a configuration selected from the group consisting of a bar, a channel, a channel with two short legs having edges beveled inwardly or outwardly, a T, and a T-shaped channel.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
57 words
A paver floor system according to claim 20, characterized in that said moldcast core comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of virgin and recycled metal, dense rigid foam, dense flexible foam, cast polymer, injection-molded polymer, plastic, elastomeric material, wood fibers, solid wood, laminated wood, plywood, microlam plywood, particleboard, oriented particleboard, hardboard, cementitious concrete,
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
41 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said plinths are made from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of virgin and recycled metal, rigid foam, flexible foam, polymer, plastic, elastomers, wood, particleboard, and hardboard.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
35 words
A paver floor system according to claim 4, characterized in that said mix comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of resin-bound non-combustible aggregate and stone fillers and combustible shredded, chipped and ground fiber fillers.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said side plates are interchangeable and generally similar in height to said plinths.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
57 words
A paver floor system according to claim 63, characterized in that said side plates accommodate discrete apertures to form evolutionary alterable node boxes to achieve uniaxial, biaxial, and multiaxial conductor accommodation on one or more levels within the height of said plinths in said supporting layer and to provide reconfigurability and recyclability of said paver floor system.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
30 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said node boxes are compartmentalized into two or more compartments to provide separation of power conductors from other conductors.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
42 words
A paver floor system according to claim 65, characterized in that said separation of said conductors into said two or more compartments provides enhanced personal safety, conductor and equipment safety, and enhanced electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference separative protection and confinement.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
36 words
A paver floor system according to claim 65, characterized in that said compartments have one or more removable horizontal closure plates bearing on the top of said plinth or on an offset formed in said top.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
20 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said base surface comprises a concrete slab or subfloor.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
43 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said side plate shave one or two top projecting legs; and in that said top projecting legs bear on the top of said plinth or on an offset formed in said top.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
24 words
A paver floor system according to claim 32, characterized in that said pavers are held in place over said supporting layer also by registry.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
90 words
A paver floor system according to claim 1, characterized in that said pavers are held in place over said supporting layer by gravity, friction, and registry assembly and have a flexible joint selected from the group consisting of a spaced-apart foam-filled joint formed by a layer of foam adhered to all sides of said pavers, providing thereby two layers of foam in said joint, and a spaced-apart foam-filled joint formed by a layer of foam adhered to all sides of said pavers and covered by a layer of elastomeric sealant.
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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) | 1995-05-12 | 1995-11-11 | 1996-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-12 | 1999-11-11 | 2000-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-12 | 2003-11-11 | 2004-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |