US6202374B1 — Floor system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 239 words

A floor system for installation and use in a work environment with at least one article of furniture which comprises: a plurality of floor tiles, at least one of the floor tiles having at least one compartment with a plurality of projections configured to support at least one subtile; a first tile of the floor tiles providing a first access pattern for access and routing of utilities and a second tile of the floor tiles providing a second access pattern for access and routing of utilities different from the first access pattern; a floor formed by selective arrangement of the plurality of floor tiles, the floor having at least one access point for utilities provided by the access pattern of at least one of the plurality of floor tiles; and wherein the one article of furniture is selectively positionable at a position on the floor; and wherein at least one access point can be selectively located at a location within the floor by selection and orientation of at least one of the first tile or the second tile; so that the position of the one article of furniture on the floor and location of the access point of the floor can be made at least partially coincident and access to utilities can be provided through the access point from beneath the floor to the article of furniture regardless of the position of the article of furniture on the floor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 239 words

A floor system for installation and use in a work environment with at least one article of furniture which comprises: a plurality of floor tiles, at least one of the floor tiles having at least one compartment with a plurality of projections configured to support at least one subtile; a first tile of the floor tiles providing a first access pattern for access and routing of utilities and a second tile of the floor tiles providing a second access pattern for access and routing of utilities different from the first access pattern; a floor formed by selective arrangement of the plurality of floor tiles, the floor having at least one access point for utilities provided by the access pattern of at least one of the plurality of floor tiles; and wherein the one article of furniture is selectively positionable at a position on the floor; and wherein at least one access point can be selectively located at a location within the floor by selection and orientation of at least one of the first tile or the second tile; so that the position of the one article of furniture on the floor and location of the access point of the floor can be made at least partially coincident and access to utilities can be provided through the access point from beneath the floor to the article of furniture regardless of the position of the article of furniture on the floor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of projections are spaced apart to allow utilities to pass through the floor system.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The floor system of claim 2 wherein the utilities are selected from the group consisting of cables, conduits, pipes, ducts, layers, levels, channels, paths, passages, raceways and combinations thereof.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern comprises a plurality of holes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern comprises a rectangle.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 14 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern comprises a circle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern comprises an edge cutout.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern comprises a plurality of apertures.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern comprises an offset circular aperture.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern comprises an offset rectangle.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of floor tiles further comprises a second tile having a second access pattern, the first tile being interchangeable with the second tile during formation of the floor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein at least one article of furniture includes a panel wall system.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

The floor system of claim 12 wherein the panel wall system includes a primary panel wall and a secondary panel wall and access to utilities is provided to the secondary panel wall.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 28 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein utilities are configured for routing through at least one access point into a passage of at least one article of furniture.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern provides for distribution of utilities.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern is offset relative to the periphery of the first tile.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern of the first tile is asymmetrical.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 17 words

The floor system of claim 1 wherein the first access pattern of the first tile is handed.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 201 words

A floor system for providing for access to utilities in a work environment including at least one article of furniture, which comprises: a plurality of floor tiles, at least one of the floor tiles having at least one compartment with a plurality of projections configured to support at least one subtile; at least one subtile having an access pattern and configured to be installed in at least one compartment of at least one of the plurality of floor tiles; a floor formed by selective arrangement of the plurality of floor tiles, the floor having at least one access point for utilities provided by the access pattern of at least one of the plurality of floor tiles, wherein at least one article of furniture is selectively positionable at a position on the floor; wherein at least one access point can be selectively located at a location within the floor; so that the position of the article of furniture on the floor and location of the access point of the floor are at least partially coincident and access to utilities can be provided through the floor to the article of furniture regardless of the position of the article of furniture on the floor.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 201 words

A floor system for providing for access to utilities in a work environment including at least one article of furniture, which comprises: a plurality of floor tiles, at least one of the floor tiles having at least one compartment with a plurality of projections configured to support at least one subtile; at least one subtile having an access pattern and configured to be installed in at least one compartment of at least one of the plurality of floor tiles; a floor formed by selective arrangement of the plurality of floor tiles, the floor having at least one access point for utilities provided by the access pattern of at least one of the plurality of floor tiles, wherein at least one article of furniture is selectively positionable at a position on the floor; wherein at least one access point can be selectively located at a location within the floor; so that the position of the article of furniture on the floor and location of the access point of the floor are at least partially coincident and access to utilities can be provided through the floor to the article of furniture regardless of the position of the article of furniture on the floor.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 19 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein the at least one compartment of the floor tile comprises an aperture.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 20 wherein at least one subtile comprises a plurality of at least partially interchangeable subtiles.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 20 wherein at least one subtile comprises a first subtile having a first access pattern.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 22 wherein the first access pattern comprises a plurality of holes.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 39 words

The floor system of claim 22 wherein the first subtile is a sheet into which the first access pattern may be selectively formed at a time that at least one article of furniture is selectively positioned on the floor.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 15 words

The floor system of claim 22 wherein the first access pattern comprises a rectangular cutout.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 22 wherein the first access pattern comprises a plurality of apertures.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 17 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of floor tiles is at least partially interchangeable.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 25 words

The floor system of claim 11 wherein at least one of the plurality of projections to support at least one subtile is a vertical member.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein the base of at least one compartment includes a plurality of apertures.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein at least one of the plurality of floor tiles is a carrier tile.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein at least one of the plurality of floor tiles is a tray tile.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 19 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of floor tiles comprises at least two individual floor tiles.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein at least one subtile is secured within the compartment.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 23 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of projections are spaced apart to allow utilities to pass through the floor system.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of projections are arranged in a pattern for providing structural support for at least one subtile.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 17 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of projections are configured for management of utilities.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 19 words

The floor system of claim 19 wherein at least one of the plurality of projections is a cylindrical member.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 274 words

A floor system for installation in a work environment providing for distribution of utilities to be associated with articles such as articles of furniture, which comprises: a plurality of floor tiles, at least one of the floor tiles having at least one compartment with a plurality of projections configured to support at least one subtile; at least one set of the floor tiles providing a first utility access pattern and at least one set of the floor tiles providing a second utility access pattern different from the first access pattern, configured to form a floor with an effective access pattern and at least one access point by arrangement of each of the floor tiles in at least one potential location and at least one potential orientation; a floor formed by selective arrangement of the plurality of floor tiles, the floor having at least one access point for utilities provided by the access pattern of at least one of the plurality of floor tiles within the effective access pattern of the floor; wherein at least one article is selectively positionable at a position on the floor; and wherein at least one access point of at least one of the plurality of the floor tiles can be selectively located at a location within the floor within the effective access pattern; so that the position of at least one article on the floor and the location of the access point of the floor are at least partially coincident and whereby access to utilities can be provided through the access point from beneath the floor to the article regardless of the position of the article on the floor.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 274 words

A floor system for installation in a work environment providing for distribution of utilities to be associated with articles such as articles of furniture, which comprises: a plurality of floor tiles, at least one of the floor tiles having at least one compartment with a plurality of projections configured to support at least one subtile; at least one set of the floor tiles providing a first utility access pattern and at least one set of the floor tiles providing a second utility access pattern different from the first access pattern, configured to form a floor with an effective access pattern and at least one access point by arrangement of each of the floor tiles in at least one potential location and at least one potential orientation; a floor formed by selective arrangement of the plurality of floor tiles, the floor having at least one access point for utilities provided by the access pattern of at least one of the plurality of floor tiles within the effective access pattern of the floor; wherein at least one article is selectively positionable at a position on the floor; and wherein at least one access point of at least one of the plurality of the floor tiles can be selectively located at a location within the floor within the effective access pattern; so that the position of at least one article on the floor and the location of the access point of the floor are at least partially coincident and whereby access to utilities can be provided through the access point from beneath the floor to the article regardless of the position of the article on the floor.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 35 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein at least one of the plurality of floor tiles providing the access pattern includes a compartment configured for installation of at least one subtile providing the access pattern.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 39 wherein the first access pattern comprises a plurality of apertures.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 19 words

The floor system of claim 39 wherein at least one of the subtiles is selectively rotatable within the compartment.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 14 words

The floor system of claim 39 wherein the subtile includes a selectively formed aperture.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 21 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein the plurality of floor tiles comprises a first tile having a first access pattern.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 15 words

The floor system of claim 43 wherein the first access pattern comprises a rectangular cutout.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 21 words

The floor system of claim 38 further comprising a plug configured to fit at least partially within the first access pattern.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 38 further comprising a mounting guide installed on the floor for at least one article.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 16 words

The floor system of claim 46 wherein at least one article comprises a panel wall system.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 22 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein at least one of the floor tiles is selectively rotatable when the floor is formed.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein at least one of the plurality of floor tiles is a carrier tile.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 42 words

The floor system of claim 49 wherein the carrier tile is configured for installation in at least two rotational positions and one of the set of floor tiles is configured for installation in the carrier tile in at least two rotational positions.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein at least one of the plurality of floor tiles is a tray tile.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein at least one of the plurality of floor tiles is a frame tile.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 19 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein the first access pattern is formed before installation of the floor system.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 20 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein the effective access pattern may be modified during installation of the floor system.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 31 words

The floor system of claim 38 wherein the effective access pattern is determined by the selective selection and rotational position of the utility access pattern of the plurality of floor tiles.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-03-19	2004-09-18	2005-03-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-03-19	2008-09-18	2009-03-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-03-19	2012-09-18	2013-03-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Floor system

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