DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor tile assembly embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the floor tile assembly;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an insert assembly;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a structural reinforcement member;
FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the insert assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative insert assembly embodying the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the alternative insert assembly in an assembled state;
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a first structural reinforcement member of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of a second structural reinforcement member of the alternative embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the first and second structural reinforcement members of the alternative embodiment in a nested configuration;
FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the first and second structural reinforcement members of the alternative embodiment in the nested configuration;
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the first and second structural reinforcement members of the alternative embodiment connected with the first and second plates; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the alternative floor tile assembly in an assembled state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposes of description herein the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The reference numeral 10 generally designates a floor tile assembly embodying the present invention. The floor tile assembly 10 includes a floor panel 12 supported above a floor surface 14 by at least one frame member 16. The floor panel 12 includes an aperture 18 (FIG. 3). The floor tile assembly 10 also includes an insert assembly 20 having a first plate 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) having a top surface 24, a bottom surface 26, and a side edge 28 having a first indentation 30. The first plate 22 covers a portion of the aperture 18. A second plate 32 is adjacent to the first plate 22 and includes a top surface 34, a bottom surface 36, and a side edge 38 located adjacent to the side edge 28 of the first plate 22. The second plate 32 covers a portion of the aperture 18 and the side edge 38 of the second plate 32 cooperates with the first indentation 30 of the first plate 22 to form a first opening 40. A structural reinforcement member 42 is connected to the bottom surface 26 of the first plate 22 and abuts the bottom surface 36 of the second plate 32. This arrangement reinforces the first and second plates 22, 32 against loads applied to the top surfaces 24, 34 of the first and second plates 22, 32.
In the example shown as FIG. 1, the floor tile assembly 10 includes multiple floor panels 12 that cooperate to form the floor assembly 10 above the base floor surface 14. At a consistent interval, frame members 16 are attached to the underside of the floor panels 12 to raise the floor panels 12 above the floor surface 14. The frame members 16 may be attached at each corner 44 (FIG. 2) of the floor panels 12, at a central location below each floor panel 12, or any other arrangement that provides rigidity and durability to the floor tile assembly 10. The insert assembly 20 is located in an aperture 18 in one of the floor panels 12 and is used to relay power and communication lines 46 through the floor tile assembly 10 from the floor surface 14. The power and communication lines 46 can then be directed to the various components (i.e., computers, printers, light fixtures, etc.) that the lines 46 support.
Referring to FIG. 2, the insert assembly 20 in the floor panel 12 is situated such that the distance Y between a perimeter 48 of the insert assembly 20 and a perimeter 50 of the floor panel 12 is twice that of distance X. This arrangement allows for the insert assembly 20 to be rotated into four different positions when the floor panel 12 is rotated. Consequently, the power and communication lines 46 can be routed through one of four desirable quadrants depending on the floor panel position. Further, a grommet 54 (FIG. 3) may cover the power and communication lines 46, or alternatively, a wire cover 56 may be utilized.
FIG. 3 illustrates the various components of the insert assembly 20. An outer frame member 60 having an outer support rim 62 and an inner support rim 64 is adapted to fit inside the aperture 18 of the floor panel 12. Mechanical fasteners 66 secure the outer frame member 60 to the aperture 18 and are secured to mechanical fastener apertures 68 in the first and second plates 22, 32 and the floor panel 12. The first and second plates 22, 32 fit inside the outer support rim 62 and rest on the inner support rim 64. When assembled, the second plate 32 also rests on the structural reinforcement member 42 fixedly attached to the bottom surface 26 of the first plate 22. The side edges 28, 38 of the first and second plates 22, 32 are positioned adjacent to one another when located within the outer frame member 60. The first indentation 30 of the first plate 22 cooperates with a first indentation 70 of the side edge 38 of the second plate 32 to form the first opening 40. Additionally, a second indentation 72 of the first plate 22 cooperates with a second indentation 74 of the side edge 38 of the second plate 32 to form a second opening 76.
As previously mentioned, a variety of devices, including grommets 54 or wire covers 56, may be placed over the first and second openings 40, 76 to cover the power and communication lines 46 extending therethrough. Moreover, the first and second openings 40, 76 may be covered by air-diffusers (not shown) and, rather than being used for routing power and communication lines 46, may be utilized for delivering air from an under-the-floor air delivery system commonly used in office settings.
With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the structural reinforcement member 42 has a first portion 80 and a second portion 82 that extends orthogonally to the first portion 80. This construction results in the structural reinforcement member 42 having an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration. Approximately one-half of the first portion 80 is fixedly connected to the bottom surface 26 of the first plate 22 by welded material 84 leaving approximately one-half of the structural reinforcement member 42 protruding from the first plate 22 and adjacent to the bottom surface 36 of the second plate 32. The second portion 82 is disposed approximately half-way between first and second frame edges 86, 88 (FIG. 6) to provide symmetrical support to the plates 22, 32 during load bearing conditions. The second portion 82 has approximately the same dimensions as the first portion 80.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the present invention includes a floor panel 12 having a beveled edge 90. The beveled edge 90 has a depth approximately equal to the thickness of the first and second plates 22, 32 such that when the plates 22, 32 are positioned over the aperture 18, the top surface 24, 34 of the first and second plates 22, 32 is coplanar with a top surface 92 of the floor panel 12 providing for a “flush” appearance.
The side edge 28 of the first plate 22 in FIGS. 6 and 7 is adjacent to the side edge 38 of the second plate 32. A first indentation 30 of the first plate 22 cooperates with a first indentation 70 of the side edge 38 of the second plate 32 to form the first opening 40. The first opening 40 may be used to route power and communication lines 46 through the floor panel 12. Additionally, a second indentation 72 of the first plate 22 may be present. The second indentation 72 of the first plate 22 cooperates with a second indentation 74 of the side edge 38 of the second plate 32 to form a second opening 76. Like the first opening 40, the second opening 76 is used to route power and communication lines 46 through the floor panel 12. As in the previous embodiment, grommets 54 or wire covers 56 may be placed over the first and second openings 40, 76 to cover the power and communication lines 46 extending therethrough. The first and second plates 22, 32 are secured over the aperture 18 by mechanical fasteners 66 that engage mechanical fastener apertures 68 in the first and second plates 22, 32 and in the floor panel 12.
Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the instant invention includes a first structural reinforcement member 100 that includes a first portion 102 and a second portion 104. The second portion 104 has approximately the same dimensions as the first portion 102 and extends longitudinally along and perpendicularly to the first portion 102. A catch 106 is integrally formed with the second portion 104 and extends in a direction opposite the first portion 102. The catch 106 includes a support wall 108 and a side wall 110. The support wall 108 is substantially parallel with the first portion 102 of the first structural reinforcement member 100 and the side wall 110 is substantially parallel with the second portion 104 of the first structural reinforcement member 100. The catch 106 may be welded to the first structural reinforcement member 100 or be integral with and stamped from the same material as the first structural reinforcement member 100. The first structural reinforcement member 100 otherwise has the same structure and is set in the same environment as the structural reinforcement member 42 of the first embodiment and it is to be understood that those structural and environmental details explained with regard to the first embodiment are generally the same with regard to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8A, a second structural reinforcement member 120 has a similar construction to the first structural reinforcement member 100 disclosed above. The second reinforcement member 120 includes a first portion 122 and a second portion 124. The second portion 124 has approximately the same dimensions as the first portion 122 and extends longitudinally along and outwardly from the first portion 122. The second reinforcement member 120 also includes a catch 125 having a support wall 126 and a side wall 127. The first and second reinforcement members 100, 120 are adapted to matingly engage as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, as discussed below.
As best illustrated in FIG. 10, the distance “X” between the side wall 110 of the first structural reinforcement member 100 and the second portion 104 is greater than the width “W” of the second portion 124 of the second structural reinforcement member 120, with similar dimensions being used for corresponding elements in the first and second structural reinforcement member 100, 120. Because the distance “X” between the side wall 110 and the second portion 104 of the first structural reinforcement member 100 is greater than the width “W” of the second portion 124 of the second structural reinforcement member 120, the second portion 124 of the second structural reinforcement member 120 is allowed to easily engage the catch 106 of the first structural support member. The same is true for the second portion 104 of the first structural reinforcement member 100 engaging the catch 125 of the second structural reinforcement member 120.
As can be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first and second structural reinforcement members 100, 120 are fixedly connected (i.e., welded, adhered, fastened) to a bottom surface 26, 36 of the first and second plates 22, 32, respectively. This arrangement allows for a protruding end of the second portion 124 of the second structural reinforcement member 120 to be moved in the direction of arrows 132 to engage and nest in the catch 106 of the first structural reinforcement member 100. Simultaneously, a protruding end of the second portion 104 of the first structural reinforcement member 100 engages and nests in the catch 125 of the second structural reinforcement member 120.
When each catch 106, 125 has been engaged, the side edges 28 of the first plate 22 abut the side edge 38 of the second plate 32, such that any loads bearing down on the top surfaces 24, 34 of the first and second plates 22, 32, respectively, will be supported by the first and second structural reinforcement members 100, 120. Optionally, one of the first or second structural reinforcement members 100, 120 may include a catch while the other of the first and second structural reinforcement member may not.
The configurations of the floor panels and the insert assemblies as disclosed and described herein allow for a flush-type fitting of the insert assemblies into the associated floor panels and with the upper surfaces associated therewith, thereby providing for an aesthetically pleasing surface when covered by carpet and the like.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Patent Application
20070277457
