USRE35369E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flooring system especially designed for facilities which house data processing equipment
Assignee: Interface Inc
•
Filing: 1993-08-19
•
Granted: 1996-11-05
•
Expires: 2013-08-19
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to a flooring system especially designed for facilities which house data processing equipment such as data processing centers, computer rooms and offices having a false floor raised above an existing floor. This false floor is comprised of removable panels laid side-by-side upon raised support members forming channels through which cables, hoses, wires and other computer interconnections can be routed.
Inventors
- 👤 Alain R. E. Ducroux
- 👤 Miodrag Novakovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:24
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F15/00; E04F15/02; E04F15/02194; E04F15/024; E04F15/02447; E04F15/02452; E04F15/02494; H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/28; H02G3/283; H02G3/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Floor structure comprising: a base plate having a plurality of apertures; each of said base plate apertures including at least one keyway; a floor tile having an interlocking element; a plurality of load bearing stand-offs for insertion through said base plate apertures, said stand-offs being removably secured to said base plate to support said floor tile in spaced relation to said base plate; said stand-offs forming a plurality of channels beneath said floor tile; said stand-offs including means for removably engaging said floor tile locking element for removably interlocking said base plate to said floor tile; and each of said stand-offs having a base portion including at least one radially located locking tab formed to pass through said base plate aperture keyways such that upon insertion of said stand-offs through said base plate apertures said stand-offs are removably secured to said base plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Floor structure comprising: a base plate having a plurality of apertures; each of said base plate apertures including at least one keyway; a floor tile having an interlocking element; a plurality of load bearing stand-offs for insertion through said base plate apertures, said stand-offs being removably secured to said base plate to support said floor tile in spaced relation to said base plate; said stand-offs forming a plurality of channels beneath said floor tile; said stand-offs including means for removably engaging said floor tile locking element for removably interlocking said base plate to said floor tile; and each of said stand-offs having a base portion including at least one radially located locking tab formed to pass through said base plate aperture keyways such that upon insertion of said stand-offs through said base plate apertures said stand-offs are removably secured to said base plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said base plate is formed of a flexible material such that the bottom surface of said base plate substantially conforms to variations in the surface of an existing floor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said base plate is formed of plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said base plate is formed of sheet steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said floor tile is formed of a rigid material with sufficient flexibility to allow the bottom surface of said floor tile to be in contacting relation with substantially all stand-off top surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 further including a floor tile covering layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 further including a sound proofing layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 further including a fire proofing layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein each said stand-off is placed in locked engagement with said base plate by rotation of said stand-off about its vertical axis such that said stand-off locking tab is slidably secured against the bottom surface of said base plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein said stand-off base portion further includes at least one second radially located tab in axial alignment with and separated from said locking tab, said second tab forming a depth stop to limit axial movement of said stand-off through said base plate aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Floor structure according to claim 10 wherein said the distance separating said stand-off locking tab and second tab slightly exceeds the thickness of said base plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Floor structure according to claim 1 wherein each said stand-off has side portions including axial slots.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Floor structure according to claim 12 wherein said axial slots are formed by two parallel radial projections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Floor structure according to claim 12 further including webs mounted upon said stand-off axial slots, said webs including means for removably attaching an electrical junction block.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
Floor structure according to claim 12 further including filler blocks removably mounted upon said stand-off axial slots, said filler blocks forming a continuous separating wall between adjacent stand-offs. .Iadd.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
85 words
A removable flooring system comprising: (a) a floor panel having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a first interlocking element; and (b) a support member comprising a base plate and a plurality of hollow stand-offs, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the removable floor panel, wherein the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs includes a second interlocking element for engaging the first interlocking element of the removable floor panel. .Iaddend..Iadd.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
85 words
A removable flooring system comprising: (a) a floor panel having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a first interlocking element; and (b) a support member comprising a base plate and a plurality of hollow stand-offs, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the removable floor panel, wherein the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs includes a second interlocking element for engaging the first interlocking element of the removable floor panel. .Iaddend..Iadd.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
253 words
The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs comprises a hollow truncated cone. .Iaddend..Iadd.18. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs is integrally formed with the base plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.19. The flooring system according to claim 17, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of hollow stand-offs is greatest at that portion of each hollow stand-off adjacent the base plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.20. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein the second interlocking element comprises a cruciform groove structure arranged to engage the first interlocking element of the removable floor panel and thereby resist movement of the removable floor panel relative to the base plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. A flooring system according to claim 16 in which: (a) the first interlocking element is a lip having a thickness; (b) the stand-off including the second interlocking element defines an upper diameter greater than 40 mm; and (c) the second interlocking element comprises a groove having a width at least one-fourth the upper diameter and at least twice the thickness of the lip. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein the top surface of at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs abuts the bottom surface of the removable floor panel. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein the base plate is formed of a flexible material such that the bottom surface of the base plate substantially conforms to variations in the surface of
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
315 words
an existing floor. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the base plate and the plurality of hollow standoffs is formed of plastic. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. The flooring system according to claim 24, wherein said plastic consists of a plastic from the following group: polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. The flooring system according to claim 16, wherein the removable floor panel is formed of a rigid material with sufficient flexibility to allow the bottom surface of the removable floor panel to be in contacting relation with the top surfaces of substantially all of the plurality of hollow stand-offs. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. The flooring system according to claim 16, further comprising a floor tile covering layer. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. A flooring system adapted to support a removable floor panel, the flooring system comprising: (a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the removable floor panel, wherein the removable floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element included in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs. .Iaddend..Iadd.29. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs comprises a hollow truncated cone. .Iaddend..Iadd.30. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs is integrally formed with the base plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. The flooring system according to claim 29, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of hollow stand-offs is greatest at that portion of each hollow stand-off adjacent the base plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein the second interlocking element comprises a cruciform groove structure arranged to engage the first interlocking element of the removable floor panel and thereby resist movement of the
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
177 words
removable floor panel relative to the base plate. .Iaddend..Iadd.33. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein the top surface of at least one of the plurality of hollow stand-offs abuts the bottom surface of the removable floor panel. .Iaddend..Iadd.34. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein the base plate is formed of a flexible material such that the bottom surface of the base plate substantially conforms to variations in the surface of an existing floor. .Iaddend..Iadd.35. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the base plate and the plurality of hollow stand-offs is formed of plastic. .Iaddend..Iadd.36. The flooring system according to claim 35, wherein said plastic consists of a plastic from the following group: polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS. .Iaddend..Iadd.37. The flooring system according to claim 28, wherein the removable floor panel is formed of a rigid material with sufficient flexibility to allow the bottom surface of the removable floor panel to be in contacting relation with the top surfaces of substantially all of the plurality of hollow stand-offs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
232 words
.Iaddend..Iadd.38. The flooring system according to claim 28, further comprising a floor tile covering layer. .Iaddend..Iadd.39. A flooring system comprising: (a) a floor panel having a first interlocking element; (b) a first support member comprising: i. a first base plate having an edge; and ii. a first stand-off extending from the first base plate and having a top surface, which top surface includes a groove, symmetric about a first axis parallel to the edge of the first base plate, for engaging the first interlocking element of the floor panel; and (c) a second support member adapted to be positioned adjacent the first support member, comprising: i. a second base plate having an edge adapted to abut the edge of the first base plate; and ii. a second stand-off extending from the second base plate and having a top surface, which top surface includes a groove, symmetric about a second axis parallel to the edge of the second base plate, for engaging the first interlocking element of the floor panel; and in which the distance from the first axis to the second axis is (1) twice the distance from the first axis to the edge of the first base plate and (2) twice the distance from the second axis to the edge of the second base plate when the edge of the second base plate abuts the edge of the first base plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
194 words
.Iaddend..Iadd. . The flooring system according to claim 28 in which the top surface of at least one stand-off spans that stand-off. .Iaddend..Iadd.41. A flooring system adapted to support a floor panel, the flooring system comprising: (a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs shaped as truncated cones, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the floor panel, wherein the floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element included in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs. .Iaddend..Iadd.42. A flooring system adapted to support a floor panel, the flooring system comprising: (a) a base plate; and (b) a plurality of hollow stand-offs at least one of which is integrally formed with the base plate, each stand-off having a top surface and extending from the base plate to support the floor panel, wherein the floor panel has a top surface and a bottom surface and a first interlocking element for engaging a second interlocking element included in the top surface of at least one of the hollow stand-offs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1861359A
Cited
US2089893A
Cited
US2680775A
Cited
FR1133496A
Cited
US2867301A
Cited
GB822738A
Cited
US2830332A
Cited
FR1307901A
Cited
US2956785A
Cited
GB876117A
Cited
US3025934A
Cited
US3218767A
Cited
DE1196345B
Cited
US3295272A
Cited
GB1104490A
Cited
GB1174562A
Cited
US3387422A
Cited
FR1547666A
Cited
FR1601001A
Cited
FR2041599A5
Cited
US3645054A
Cited
US3815304A
Cited
DE2102050A1
Cited
GB1425977A
Cited
US3894370A
Cited
US4035967A
Cited
DE2314463A1
Cited
US3852928A
Cited
DE2353865A1
Cited
US4074488A
Cited
US4016357A
Cited
US4026083A
Cited
US4085557A
Cited
DE2650160A1
Cited
US4124324A
Cited
GB2097836A
Cited
GB2127062A
Cited
US4558544A
Cited
US4546580A
Cited
US4593499A
Cited
DE3415581A1
Cited
WO1985005397A1
Cited
US4648592A
Cited
US4858401A
Cited
US4596095A
Cited
US4744194A
Cited
US4682453A
Cited
EP0197957B1
Cited
US4573302A
Cited
US4883503A
Cited
US4761926A
Cited
US4662140A
Cited
EP0218108B1
Cited
US5082712A
Cited
WO1987003324A1
Cited
GB2188955A
Cited
US4773196A
Cited
GB2190936A
Cited
US4780571A
Cited
US4993202A
Cited
US4996810A
Cited
WO1988003207A1
Cited
US5263289A
Cited
US4968855A
Cited
US4923733A
Cited
US4905437A
Cited
US5057647A
Cited
EP0352435A2
Cited
DE8807177U1
Cited
US5187907A
Cited
US5090169A
Cited
US5184438A
Cited
US5197244A
Cited
US5245805A
Cited
US5042569A
Cited
US5105595A
Cited
US5074085A
Cited
DE9106389U1
Cited
KR0145018B1
Cited
KR0145017B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-05 | 2000-05-06 | 2000-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-05 | 2004-05-06 | 2004-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-05 | 2008-05-06 | 2008-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |