Modular floor tiles and floor system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6684582
  • Patent Number
    6,684,582
  • Date Filed
    Monday, November 5, 2001
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 3, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A modular tile and modular tile system is disclosed. The modular tile includes a base structure having a generally horizontal portion. Floor support members are positioned on a bottom surface of the generally horizontal portion. Upper column members extend above the horizontal portion of the modular tile. A cover is supported by the upper column members a distance above the horizontal portion thereby creating a chamber between the horizontal portion and the cover. The chamber is adapted to receive cabling therein.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to a modular tile and modular tile system. More specifically, it relates to a modular tile and modular tile system installed on an existing floor.




Work environments are becoming increasingly sophisticated due to an increasing need for utilities necessary to service the environment including power, data and communications networks. Often, these environments must distribute power to tools such as computers, printers and the like. In addition, many environments must distribute data and communications cabling to support interoffice electronic mail, world-wide internet connectivity, and in-house intranet connectivity. An important consequence of this increased sophistication in work environments is the increased need for distributing and managing cabling in an efficient, safe and aesthetically appealing manner.




Another demand often placed on modern work environments is the need to be easily configured and reconfigured to keep in stride with the fluctuating demands and influences in the work place.




One solution to providing increased volumes of power and data cabling throughout an office environment is to create a raised floor, namely a floor built a distance above the existing floor to thereby provide a space for cabling between the two. Some raised floors are architectural, i.e. are installed when the building is built, and include a series of relatively large panels, some of which can be lifted to gain access to the space. Other raised floor systems are installed later and comprise a gridwork of supports and panels or tiles which are installed over this gridwork. An example of such a pieced-together system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,499 to Kobayashi et al.




Typically, both types of raised floors, namely the architectural and the pieced-together, are installed by skilled tradespersons having special tools, equipment and training. Naturally, providing adequate support and proper leveling are important concerns. As a consequence, the installation and/or reconfiguration of the conventional raised floor is often costly. Moreover, work environment elements can not be easily configured and reconfigured with the typical raised floor.




Also, because raised floors are most often installed in a wall-to-wall configuration, a facilities planner must commit to equipping the entire work space with a raised floor, rather than equipping only that portion with the requirements justifying a raised floor. This fact reduces the utility and adaptability of raised floors to certain work environments, especially those that have a need to equip some work stations one way for some of its workers and some another way for others of its workers. In particular, it would be desirable in some work environments to create platforms of a raised floor to meet the needs within that part of the work environment.




The conventional raised floor often lacks specific cabling management capabilities. For example, in some systems, the cabling is not isolated from one another nor managed separately within the floor. This can create interference and noise problems between power, communication, and data cabling.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a modular tile and modular tile system.




A modular tile and modular tile system is disclosed. The modular tile includes a base structure having a generally horizontal portion. Floor support members are positioned on a bottom surface of the generally horizontal portion. Upper column members extends above the horizontal portion of the modular tile. A cover is supported by the upper column members a distance above the horizontal portion thereby creating a chamber between the horizontal portion and the cover. The chamber is adapted to receive cabling therein.




The preferred present invention is modular in that it is configurable and can be quickly connected and re-connected.




The modular tile platform environment can provide related economic benefits. For example, in certain types of lease situations, the modular tiles can provide a tenant improvement and therefore specific leasehold advantages. The tiles can also be quickly reconfigured for a new tenant. Moreover, such a tile scheme is usually easily transported by the tenant for rapid deployment in the next installation. With its on-site capacity and ability to support the frequent transitions associated with temporary or visiting work environments, the modular environment can enhance the benefits of rental and lease opportunities.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a modular tile according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of a modular tile platform incorporating the modular tile shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

is a partial side view of the modular tile platform shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 4

is an exploded perspective view of one of the modular tiles shown in FIG.


3


.





FIG. 5

is a top view of the base structure shown in

FIG. 4







FIG. 6

is a bottom view of the modular tile cover shown in FIG.


4


.





FIG. 7

is a side view of the cover shown in FIG.


6


.





FIG. 8

is a perspective view of a four-way tile connect used to connect four of the modular tiles shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 9

is a top view of the four-way tile connect shown in FIG.


8


.





FIG. 10

is a perspective view of a three-way tile connect used to connect three of the modular tiles shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 11

is a top view of the three-way tile connect shown in FIG.


10


.





FIG. 12

is a perspective view of a two-way tile connect used to connect two of the modular tiles shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 13

is a top view of the two-way tile connect shown in FIG.


12


.





FIG. 14

is a perspective view of a corner member shown in FIG.


4


.





FIG. 15

is a sectional side view of the corner member taken along the line


15





15


of FIG.


14


.





FIG. 16

is a perspective view of a horizontal portion member shown in FIG.


4


.





FIG. 17

is a sectional side view of the horizontal member taken along the line


17





17


of FIG.


16


.





FIG. 18

is a top view of a portion of the modular tile platform shown in

FIG. 2

with the top portion of the modular tiles removed.





FIG. 19

is a sectional side view of two connected modular tiles taken along the line


19





19


as shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 20

is a top view of a generally horizontal conductor of the modular tiles shown in FIG.


18


.





FIG. 21

is an enlarged close-up view of one of the corner electrical connecting points of the conductor shown in FIG.


20


.





FIG. 22

is a top view of another preferred embodiment of a modular tile.





FIG. 23

is a side view of the modular tile shown in FIG.


22


.





FIG. 24

is a sectional side view of a portion of the modular tile platform taken along the line


24





24


of

FIG. 26

including an indexing element of a sound boom.




FIGS.


25


(


a-d


) show alternative preferred embodiments of a modular tile indexing means.





FIG. 26

is a perspective view of a platform work environment incorporating the preferred embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 27

is a top view of the work environment shown in FIG.


26


.





FIG. 28

is a side view of the work environment shown in FIG.


26


.





FIG. 29

is a top view of still another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 30

is a partial sectional side view of a modular tile platform similar to the platform shown in FIG.


19


and including a leveling member disposed on the support legs of the modular tiles.





FIG. 31

is a side view of a modular tile platform work environment according to another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 32

is a partial sectional top view of the modular tile platform work environment shown in FIG.


31


.





FIG. 33

is a top view of a modular tile platform incorporating another preferred embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 34

is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the modular tile platform shown in FIG.


33


.





FIG. 35

is a sectional side view of the modular tile platform ramp taken along the line


34





34


as shown in FIG.


34


.





FIG. 36

is a top view of a modular tile platform incorporating another alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 37

is a top view of the modular tile platform incorporating another alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 38

is a top view of the modular tile platform incorporating another alternative embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 39

is an exploded view of another preferred embodiment of a modular tile according to the present invention.





FIG. 40

is a top view of a modular platform showing the modular tile illustrated in FIG.


39


.





FIG. 41

is bottom view of four-way tile connect of another preferred embodiment.





FIG. 42

is bottom view of three-way tile connect of another preferred embodiment.





FIG. 43

is bottom view of a two-way tile connect of another preferred embodiment.





FIG. 44

is a bottom view of the base structure.





FIG. 45

is top view of the cover.





FIG. 46

is an enlarged view of one of the apertures in the cover.





FIG. 47

is a cross-section taken along the lines


47





47


of FIG.


46


.





FIG. 48

is a cross-section illustrating the insertion of an index element into the modular tile as shown in FIG.


39


.





FIG. 49

is an exploded view of another of a modular tile embodiment incorporating the use of a seal between the carpet tile and the cover.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring to the drawings,

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a modular tile


95


incorporating the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Modular tile


95


is preferably exposed along its edges and installed on top of an existing floor


38


.

FIG. 2

is a perspective view of a modular tile platform


39


configured using the modular tile shown in FIG.


1


. Modular tile platform


39


is preferably exposed along its outer edges. Alternatively, a ramp


370


or platform trim


375


is provided along the edges of the modular tile platform.

FIG. 3

is a partial side view of the modular tile platform shown in FIG.


2


.

FIG. 3

shows the modular tile


95


connected to two modular tiles


91


,


93


.

FIG. 4

is an exploded view of modular tile


95


shown in

FIGS. 1-3

.




Referring to

FIGS. 1-4

, modular tile


95


preferably comprises a square top portion


575


and a square bottom portion


585


. The general dimensions of the preferred modular tile is


18


inches in width and


18


inches in height. Top portion


575


comprises an insulating member


631


, cover


621


and floor covering


601


. Bottom portion


585


comprises a base structure


641


, tile connects


301


,


401


or


501


, corner members


800


and horizontal portion members


900


. These elements can be more clearly described with reference to

FIGS. 3 and 4

.





FIG. 3

shows a complete side view of modular tile


95


and a partial side view of modular tiles


91


and


93


. Modular tiles


91


and


93


are generally of similar structure as modular tile


95


. Modular tile


95


is connected to modular tile


91


and modular tile


93


via modular tile connect


475


and


99


, respectively. Also shown is cabling


2


, and


4


. Cabling


2


,


4


can be efficiently installed underneath the modular tile


95


since the tile


95


is preferably exposed along each of its edges. In this preferred embodiment, cabling


2


provides power and cabling


4


provides communications.




Base portion


585


is installed on top of existing floor


38


and defines a lower chamber


85


. Top portion


575


resides on bottom portion


585


, thereby defining an upper chamber


75


. Both chambers


75


and


79


are adapted to receive cabling, electrical devices


1


and the like. Electrical devices


1


receivable in either chamber


75


or


79


include transformers, junction boxes, outlet boxes, wiring harnesses and other like electrical devices. Preferably, lower chamber


85


defines two channels


87


,


89


and upper chamber


83


defines two channels


74


,


75


. Power cabling


2


is installed in channels


85


,


89


and communications cabling


4


is installed in channel


75


. Alternatively, as shown in

FIG. 3

, cabling


83


is managed between two connected modular tiles


95


,


93


and underneath modular tile connect


99


.




Separating the power cabling


2


from the communications cabling


4


results in a number of advantages. For example, separation provides an easier method of troubleshooting if utilities maintenance is required. It also minimizes the risk of electrical interference. Moreover, installing the higher voltage cabling


2


in lower chamber


85


reduces the risk of electrical exposure to occupants of the work environment.





FIG. 4

is an exploded view of the modular tile


95


shown in

FIGS. 1-3

. Preferably, base portion


585


includes a generally rectangular base structure


641


having a generally horizontal portion


643


.

FIG. 5

is a top view of base structure


641


. Preferably, horizontal portion


643


has various sets of holes, upper column members, and support legs.




Referring to

FIGS. 3

,


4


, and


5


, horizontal portion


643


has a first set of holes


120


, a second set of holes


140


, a third set of holes


910


and a fourth set of holes


810


. These sets of holes serve a number of beneficial purposes. For example, using holes


120


, cabling installed on top of or beneath horizontal portion


643


can be secured using a cable tie (not shown). Holes


120


also allow cabling installed in either upper chamber


75


or lower chamber


85


of the assembled tile


95


to be accessed and pulled through horizontal portion


643


. Therefore, installed cabling can be managed in both upper and lower chambers


75


and


85


within one modular tile and can be re-installed or re-managed without having to re-install the entire base structure


641


.




Holes


120


also decrease the amount of material required for the base structure


641


, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. The resulting modular tile


95


is also lighter and easier to manipulate and install. Holes


120


also increase the flexibility of base structure


641


so that it can conform to surface inconsistencies in the existing floor. Preferably, horizontal portion


643


comprises a second set of holes


140


. Holes


140


provide similar advantages as holes


120


.




Preferably, as shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5

, horizontal portion


643


has a third set of holes


910


and a fourth set of holes


810


. Third set of holes


910


are adapted to cooperate with horizontal portion members


900


. Fourth set of holes


810


are adapted to cooperate with corner members


800


.




Preferably, the four corners


661


,


663


,


665


and


667


of base structure


641


are integral with the four upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


. Alternatively, upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


are integral with top portion


575


. Upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


extend vertically above a plane defined by horizontal portion


643


and are positioned at the corners of the base structure


641


.




Four upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


define an upper chamber on the upper surface of base structure


641


. Top portion


575


resides on these four upper column members. In an alternative embodiment, more than four upper column members support top portion


575


. Additional upper column members provide a number of advantages. First, they further partition the upper chamber thereby defining channels for installing and managing cabling and other electrical devices. They also increase the rigidity and strength of the modular tile


95


.




Preferably, the additional upper column members comprise both horizontal portion members


900


and corner members


800


. Third set of holes


910


are adapted to releasably affix the horizontal portion members


900


to the horizontal portion


643


. Base structure


641


has five horizontal portion members


900


(only one shown in FIG.


4


). Preferably, one horizontal portion member


900


is positioned at the center


679


of horizontal portion


643


. The other four are spaced between two adjacent upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


.




Preferably, member


900


resides on horizontal portion


643


and extends vertically above horizontal portion


643


to the same relative height as the upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


. In modular tile


95


, surface


680


of insulation member


631


resides on member


900


. In this preferred embodiment, member


900


provides additional support to modular tile


95


thereby increasing modular tile stability and rigidity.





FIG. 16

provides a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of horizontal portion member


900


.

FIG. 17

is a sectional side view of the horizontal portion member


900


taken along the line


17





17


shown in FIG.


16


. Referring to

FIGS. 16 and 17

, horizontal portion member


900


comprises a bottom portion


920


and a top portion


930


.




Bottom portion


920


comprises a plurality of securing means for securing member


900


to base structure


643


. Bottom portion


920


comprises securing tabs


925


positioned in a generally cylindrical fashion. In the preferred embodiment, three tabs


925


cooperate with three holes


910


of horizontal portion


641


. Alternatively, more than three securing tabs


925


are provided. Tabs


625


prevent an installed member


900


from rotating.




Top portion


930


comprises a generally cylindrical shaped member having a top surface


934


, a bottom surface


938


, an outer surface


931


and an aperture


950


. Aperture


950


extends from top surface


934


to bottom surface


938


and is adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element associated with a work environment element. Preferably, aperture


950


is provided with a bevel


936


at top surface


934


such that the protruding portion can be easily adapted within aperture


950


.




Upper member


930


comprises a channel


942


extending from aperture


950


to exterior surface


931


of upper portion


930


. Channel


942


prevents an installed protruding portion from turning or rotating. Preferably, member


900


is a unitary device comprising the same type of material as base structure


643


and connect members


301


,


401


and


501


. Alternatively, member


900


is integral with the base structure


643


.




As previously mentioned, base structure


641


comprises a fourth set of holes


810


adapted to cooperate with corner members


800


. As shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5

, member


800


cooperates with holes


810


at the four corners of horizontal portion


643


. Preferably, member


800


extends vertically above the horizontal portion


643


to the same relative height as the upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


. Once disposed on horizontal portion


643


, member


800


cooperates with bottom surface


680


of insulation member


631


beneath corners


622


,


624


,


626


and


628


of cover


621


. In this preferred embodiment, member


800


provides additional support to modular tile


95


thereby increasing its stability and rigidity.





FIG. 14

provides a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of corner member


800


.

FIG. 15

is a sectional side view of member


800


taken along the line


15





15


as shown in FIG.


14


. Referring to

FIGS. 14 and 15

, corner member


800


comprises a bottom portion


820


and a top portion


830


. Bottom portion


820


comprises a plurality of securing means for securing member


800


to base structure


641


. Bottom portion


820


comprises securing tabs


825


oriented in a generally cylindrical fashion around bottom portion


820


. In the preferred embodiment, three tabs


825


cooperate with three holes


810


of horizontal portion


641


. Alternatively, more than three securing tabs


825


are provided. Securing tabs


825


prevent an installed member


800


from rotating.




Top portion


830


comprises a generally cylindrical shaped member


835


having a top surface


834


, a bottom surface


838


, an outer surface


831


, an aperture


850


, and a connecting member


860


.




Aperture


850


extends from top surface


834


to bottom surface


838


and is adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element associated with a work environment element. Preferably, aperture


850


is provided with a bevel


836


at top surface


834


such that the protruding portion can be more easily adapted.




Upper member


830


comprises a channel


842


extending horizontally from aperture


850


to exterior surface


831


. Preferably, channel


842


extends horizontally from aperture


850


opposite connecting member


860


. Channel


842


prevents installed indexing elements from turning or rotating.




Connecting column member


860


extends outwardly from top portion


830


and comprises a first portion


865


and a second portion


870


. First portion


865


extends from column member


800


first portion


830


. Second portion


870


comprises a top surface


864


, a bottom surface


868


, an outer surface


861


, and an aperture


870


. Aperture


870


extends from top surface


864


to bottom surface


868


. Preferably, aperture


870


is adapted to receive a connecting pin from either a two-way


301


, three-way


401


or four-way tile connect


501


.




Preferably, member


800


is a unitary device and is made from the same material as base structure


643


and connect members


301


,


401


and


501


. Alternatively, the member


800


is integral with the base structure


641


.




Returning to

FIG. 4

, base structure


641


further comprises at least four support legs


745


,


747


,


749


and


751


which preferably support an individual modular tile


95


. Alternatively, the support legs support more than one modular tile. For example, a support leg may be a unitary device positioned at a common point where two or more modular tiles meet. At this common point, one leg would support a corner of each of the modular tiles.




Support legs


745


,


747


,


749


and


751


are preferably integral with base structure


641


. Preferably, upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


are integral with support legs


745


,


747


,


749


and


751


, respectively. In a more preferred embodiment, support legs


745


,


747


,


749


and


751


, and upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


are integral with base structure


641


. Most preferably, base structure


641


, support legs


745


,


747


,


749


and


751


and upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


are made in one piece.




A spacing member


775


is disposed on each leg


745


,


747


,


749


and


751


and protrudes laterally away from the surface of the leg. Spacing member


775


cooperates with the support legs on adjacent modular tiles such that the legs are positioned a predetermined distance from one another. For example, as is shown in

FIG. 3

, the support legs of connected modular tiles


91


,


95


and


95


,


93


are positioned a predetermined distance from one another by spacing members


775


. Spacing member


775


is preferably made from the same piece of material as the legs


745


,


747


,


749


and


751


. Alternatively, a spacing member is a different piece of material which is rigidly affixed to the leg.




Spacing member


775


provides a number of advantages. For example, in the preferred embodiment, by spacing side by side connected modular tiles a predetermine distance from one another, installation will usually require less labor. In addition, because installed modular tiles only touch one another at the spacing member rather than along an entire edge of the modular tile, a modular tile can oftentimes be taken out of an assembled platform without having to disconnect and/or remove other connected modular tiles. Furthermore, by spacing the modular tiles a constant, predetermined distance from one another, a heightened aesthetic appearance of a connected modular tile platform can be achieved.




In an alternative embodiment, support legs


745


,


747


,


749


and


751


comprise a leveling member


790


.

FIG. 30

is a partial sectional side view of a modular tile platform similar to the platform shown in FIG.


19


and includes a leveling member disposed on the support legs of the modular tiles.

FIG. 30

shows two modular tiles


91


,


95


connected to one another via a modular tile connect


99


. Modular tiles


91


,


95


are installed over existing floor


38


. Modular tiles


91


,


95


have support legs


795


. Preferably, support legs


795


comprise an outer shell


796


and a retaining member


791


. The retaining member


791


retains the leveling member


790


within the support leg


795


.




Preferably, leveling member


790


is a slow reaction member which absorbs uneven surfaces on existing floor


38


. The leveling member preferably includes a sack made of a flexible, preferably non-elastic polymer such as a thermoplastic polyurethane compound or the like. The sack is filled with a viscous material, such as a gel, which flows quite slowly. Alternatively, the sack can be filled with particulate matter which shifts and flows under pressure. Suitable gel materials include modified thermoplastics. An example of a gel that may be used in a preferred embodiment includes KRAFTON from Shell Chemical Co.




In still another alternative embodiment, the leveling member comprises a thermoplastic material which is designed to be relatively non-flowing at room temperature, but which will flow when subjected to heat. The thermoplastic material is provided either in a sack or exposed directly to the existing floor. This alternative embodiment looks similar to the embodiment shown in FIG.


30


. In this alternative embodiment, the installer can heat the leveling devices, for example with a hot air gun, just before placing on the floor. Upon cooling, the leveling device maintains its shape. If, at some point after installation, the floor needs to be leveled again, the appropriate modular tiles can be lifted, heated and reinstalled.




Referring to

FIGS. 3 and 4

, base structure


641


comprises lower column members


659


which extend vertically below the horizontal portion


643


. Lower column members


659


are disposed on lower surface of horizontal portion


643


and further partition lower chamber


79


into channels between the existing floor


32


and base structure


641


. Preferably, lower column members also increase the rigidity and strength of modular tile


95


.




Preferably, base structure


641


comprises nine lower column members


659


. Lower column members


659


are integral with base structure


641


and are located beneath holes


810


,


910


and support each corner member


800


and horizontal portion member


900


. More preferably, lower column members


659


and corner member aperture


850


together define an aperture


860


adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element associated with a work environment element. In addition, lower column members


659


and horizontal portion members


900


together define an aperture


960


adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element associated with a work environment element.




As shown in

FIG. 5

, base structure


641


further comprises four connecting points


845


,


847


,


849


and


851


located at the corners


661


,


663


,


665


, and


667


of base structure


641


, respectively. Each connecting point is positioned adjacent hole


810


and aperture


860


to cooperate with a modular tile connect


301


,


401


or


501


to facilitate connecting adjacent modular tiles.




Preferably, base structure


641


is an injection molded device utilizing recycled polypropylene. More preferably, the recycled polypropylene is approximately thirty percent glass fill. Flame retardants and smoke suppressants are preferably added to the recycled polypropylene. An example of a polypropylene that may be used in a preferred embodiment includes VERTON from LNP Engineering Plastics, Inc. The preferred polypropylene is an approximately 50 percent long glass fiber composite.




Polypropylene is the preferred material for the base structure since it can generally conform to deviations in an existing floor. In another preferred embodiment, base structure


641


is a diecasting of associated alloys and/or composites which generally increases the base structure rigidity and overall modular tile stability.




Returning to

FIG. 4

, top portion


575


comprises a floor covering


601


, a cover


621


and an insulator


631


. In the preferred embodiment, top portion


575


further comprises a generally horizontal conductor


708


disposed between the cover


621


and insulator


631


. Cover


621


is essentially the same shape as bottom portion


585


. Preferably, cover


621


is square with corners


622


,


624


,


626


and


628


. Alternatively, cover


621


is hexagonal or trapezoidal.




Cover


621


is preferably fabricated from a molded density fiberboard (MDF). MDF is the preferred material because it is rigid and relatively lightweight, therefore allowing the cover


621


to be lifted by hand.





FIG. 6

is a bottom view of the modular tile cover


621


shown in FIG.


3


.

FIG. 7

is a side view of the cover shown in FIG.


6


. Cover


621


is generally rectangular, has four corners


622


,


624


,


626


and


628


, and comprises a top surface


623


and a bottom surface


625


. As shown in

FIGS. 6 and 7

, the cover


621


bottom surface


625


is preferably planed or machined at the corners


622


,


624


,


626


and


628


. Preferably, the bottom surface corners are planed or machined into a rounded or a convex shape. With this preferred embodiment, covers of adjacent connected modular tiles form a common point wherein cabling and other electrical devices are installed. Installation of cabling between adjacent connected modular tiles at this common point is shown in FIG.


3


. Covers


621


of adjacent modular tiles


93


and


95


and modular tile connect


99


define a chamber


81


wherein cabling


83


is installed. This construction also provides additional support to the modular tiles. For example, cover


621


of tiles


93


and


95


is supported not only by upper column members


645


,


647


,


649


and


651


, but also by a modular tile connect


99


.




Returning to

FIGS. 4 and 6

, cover


621


comprises an array of apertures or holes


675


. The apertures


675


are adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element associated with a work environment element. Where modular tiles


95


are connected to form a platform, cover apertures


675


provide an array of equally spaced columns and rows of apertures. The cover


621


and more preferably the modular tile


95


is rigid and stable enough to support the indexed work environment elements. Preferably, each cover


621


comprises nine apertures arranged in three rows and three columns. In the preferred embodiment of the modular tile


95


, cover apertures


675


cooperate with both the horizontal portion member apertures and the corner member apertures to enable a protruding portion to be indexed.




Lower surface


625


of cover


621


comprises four downwardly facing holes or connecting points


692


,


693


,


694


and


695


located at the corners


682


,


683


,


684


, and


685


of cover


621


, respectively. Preferably, downwardly facing holes


692


,


693


,


694


and


695


cooperate with a tile connect to connect adjacent modular tiles.




As shown in

FIG. 4

, a floor covering


601


is disposed on the top surface


623


of cover


621


. Floor covering


601


is any type of floor covering generally known in the art including but not limited to carpeting, tile or other floor covering material. Floor covering


601


is glued, stapled or otherwise affixed to cover top surface


623


in any of the standard methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, floor covering


601


is releasably affixed to cover top surface


623


to allow for replacement of soiled or worn coverings.




Floor covering


601


is affixed to the cover


621


such that its edges are flush against the edges of cover


621


. Alternatively, floor covering


601


is affixed to cover


621


such that it has a small nap extending beyond the edge surfaces of cover


621


. In this preferred embodiment, the spacing between two connected modular tiles will be hidden since the nap fills in what otherwise would be a noticeable space between the connected tiles.




Floor covering


601


comprises an array of apertures


679


. Apertures


679


are arranged so that, when the floor covering


601


is disposed on the top surface


623


of cover


612


, the floor covering apertures


679


correspond to the cover apertures


675


.




An insulation member


631


is affixed to the lower surface


625


of cover


621


. Insulation member


631


comprises an array of apertures


679


arranged so that, once the insulation member


631


is affixed to the cover


621


, the insulation member apertures


679


correspond to the cover apertures


675


and the floor covering apertures


679


. In the preferred embodiment, a generally horizontal conductor


708


is disposed between the cover


621


and the insulation member


631


.




The modular tile


95


shown in

FIGS. 1-4

can be connected to other modular tiles using various types of modular tile connects. As previously mentioned, the modular tile connects cooperate with the connecting points


845


,


847


,


849


and


851


of base structure


641


and corner members


800


.

FIG. 4

shows three preferred embodiments of modular tile connects: a four-way connect


301


, a three-way connect


401


, and a two-way connect


501


.

FIGS. 8 through 13

show these preferred embodiments of modular tile connects in greater detail.





FIG. 8

is a perspective view of the modular tile four-way connect


301


shown in FIG.


4


. Preferably, the four-way connect


301


has four connecting members


303


,


305


,


307


and


309


which extend from a central member


311


. Preferably, as shown in

FIG. 3

, central member


311


has a convex shape which further defines the convex channel


83


formed by the adjacent covers of adjacent modular tiles


91


and


93


.




Connecting members


303


,


305


,


307


and


309


of the four-way connect


301


each have a first portion


313


and a second portion


315


. First portion


313


is in communication with central member


311


and second portion


315


extends outwardly from central member


311


. Each connecting member


303


,


305


,


307


and


309


has a top surface which together define a common upper surface


317


. Each connecting member


303


,


305


,


307


and


309


also has a bottom surface which together define a common bottom surface


318


. A spacing member


324


is provided on the bottom surface of each connecting member. Spacing member


324


cooperates with the bottom portion of a connected modular tile such that a connecting member is positioned a predetermined distance above a modular tile horizontal portion. For example, as shown in

FIG. 3

, the spacing element


925


of modular tile connect


99


positions the modular tile connect a predetermined distance above the connected base portions


585


of modular tiles


93


,


95


.




A downwardly directed pin


321


is disposed on common bottom surface


318


at second portion


315


of each connecting member


303


,


305


,


307


and


309


. Preferably, downwardly directed pin


321


is adapted to releasably connect to points


845


,


847


,


849


and


851


of modular tile base structure


641


through a corner upper support member


800


. Alternatively, the downwardly directed pin


321


engages a conductor disposed on a horizontal portion of the modular tile.




An upwardly directed pin


319


is disposed on top surface


317


at the second portion


315


of connecting members


303


,


305


,


307


and


309


. Upwardly directed pins


319


releasably connect downwardly facing holes


692


,


693


,


694


and


695


disposed on the lower surface


625


of cover


621


through insulation member


631


. Preferably, upwardly directed pins


319


engage the conductor


708


disposed between the cover


621


and insulation member


631


.




In the preferred embodiment, a first cylindrical conductor


302


is disposed on upwardly directed pin


319


and a second cylindrical conductor


304


is disposed on downwardly directed pin


321


. As will be discussed with reference to

FIG. 19

, the first and second conductor


302


,


304


electrically connect to a horizontal conductor when the pins


319


,


321


mate with a modular tile connecting point.




Preferably, four-way connect


301


is an integral device. More preferably, tile connect


301


is made from the same material as base structure


641


.




Where four modular tiles reside adjacent one another, the four connecting members


303


,


305


,


307


and


309


of four-way connect


301


releasably connects four modular tiles. Depending on the modular tile platform configuration and the number of modular tiles to be connected, tile connects having less that four connecting members may be required. For example, where only two corners of two adjacent modular tiles are to be connected, a two-way connect


501


is required.

FIG. 12

shows a perspective view of a two-way connect


501


.

FIG. 13

is a top view of two-way connect


501


shown in FIG.


12


. Where three modular tiles are configured so that one corner of only three tiles meet at a common point, a three-way connect is required.

FIG. 10

shows a perspective view of a three-way connect


401


.

FIG. 11

is a top view of three-way connect


401


shown in FIG.


10


. The description and mechanical construction of the two-way and three-way connect is similar to the description and construction of the four-way connect


301


previously provided.





FIG. 18

is top view of a portion of the modular tile platform


39


shown in

FIG. 2

with the top portion of the modular tiles removed.

FIG. 18

shows six connected base structures


940


,


950


,


960


,


970


,


980


and


990


and cabling


2


,


4


. Base structure


940


is connected to the five adjacent base structures


950


,


960


,


970


,


980


and


990


on top of existing floor


38


. Base structure


940


is connected to base structures


960


and


970


via four-way connect


325


and connected to base structures


970


and


980


via four-way connect


330


. Base structure


940


is connected to base structures


950


,


990


via two-way connects


425


,


430


, respectively. All six base structures have generally the same mechanical characteristics of base structure


641


previously described and shown in

FIGS. 1-4

.




Cabling


2


is managed beneath the horizontal portion while cabling


4


is managed on top of the horizontal portion. Preferably, power cabling


2


and communications cabling


4


is managed within the upper chamber


75


and the lower chamber


79


, respectively. Power cabling


2


comprises three cables


22


,


24


, and


26


. Cables


22


and


24


are installed in channel


87


of lower chamber


75


and cable


26


is installed in lower channel


89


. Communications cabling


4


passes along the top surface of horizontal portion


943


of connected base structures


940


and


970


and is installed in channel


85


of upper chamber


75


.





FIG. 18

also shows cabling


965


passing within a chamber


966


formed between adjacent base structures. For example, cable


965


passes between the chamber formed between base structures


960


,


950


. This type of cabling management within a chamber can be more clearly seen with respect to

FIG. 3

where cabling


83


is managed in chamber


81


between modular tiles


93


,


95


.




Base structure


940


comprises a generally horizontal conductor


702


disposed on top of horizontal portion


943


of base structure


940


. Preferably, conductor


702


is either riveted or heat staked to base structure


943


. More preferably, conductor


702


is disposed between the releasably affixed five horizontal portion members


900


, four corner members


800


and the base structure horizontal portion


943


.




Preferably, conductor


702


is chrome plated steel having a thickness dependent upon the current carrying requirements of the conductor. Preferably, the thickness is between 0.010 and 0.050 inches. Conductor


702


has essentially the same overall length and width as base structure


940


. In the preferred embodiment, a second conductor


708


having generally the same electrical and mechanical characteristics as conductor


702


is disposed underneath the modular tile cover. More preferably, if powered from a power source, conductor


702


and


708


define a circuit


709


for distributing electrical power to various electrical outlet points in the modular tile.





FIG. 20

is a top view of a preferred embodiment of conductors


702


,


708


. Conductors


702


,


708


comprise a central member


703


, mating holes


704


and two types of conducting members: corner conducting members


710


and mid-point conducting members


720


. Conducting members


710


,


720


extend from the central portion


703


and reside essentially in a horizontal plane. Conductor


702


is essentially horizontal so that it can be disposed on horizontal portion


943


of base structure


940


. Preferably, conductor mating holes


704


of conductor


702


mate with molded protrusions disposed on the base structure


940


such that, when the conductor


702


is disposed on the base structure


940


, the protrusions protrude through the mating holes


704


. The protrusions are then either riveted or heat staked to secure the conductor


702


in place.




Conductor


708


is essentially horizontally disposed so that it can be disposed underneath cover


621


. Preferably, conductors


702


,


708


comprise four corner conducting members


710


and four mid-point conductor members


720


.




Corner members


710


and mid-point members


720


comprise a first portion


725


cooperating with central member


703


and a second portion


730


extending outwardly from central member


703


. Preferably, both corner members


710


and mid-point members


720


comprise electrical connecting points disposed on each respective second conductor portion


730


.




Preferably, second portion


730


of mid-point member


720


comprises an electrical connecting point


735


. Electrical connecting points


735


are adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element associated with a work environment element. More preferably, electrical connecting points


735


are adopted to electrically connect to a protruding electrical conductor portion of the indexing element. Referring to

FIGS. 20 and 5

, when conductor


702


is disposed on an horizontal portion of a base structure, the five electrical connecting points


735


cooperate with the five base structure upper member holes


910


. Referring to

FIGS. 4

,


5


,


6


and


20


, when conductor


708


is disposed on the bottom surface


625


of cover


621


, the five electrical connecting points


735


cooperate with five cover apertures


625


. Preferably, connecting points


735


have clamping means


738


which clamp and releasably affix an inserted protruding portion.





FIG. 21

is a close up view of second portion


730


of corner member


710


. Second portion


730


comprises two connecting points: an outer electrical connecting point


736


and an inner electrical connecting point


734


. Outer connecting point


736


and inner connecting point


734


have generally the same dimensions and construction as connecting points


735


. Preferably, connecting points


736


and


734


have clamping means


738


which clamp and releasably affix an inserted protruding portion. Connecting point


735


is also adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element.




Referring to

FIGS. 21 and 5

, when conductor


702


is disposed on horizontal portion


643


of base structure


641


, the four inner electrical connecting points


734


cooperate with the four base structure corner member holes


860


. Outer connecting points


736


are adjacent inner connecting points


734


and are adapted to receive a downwardly directed pin from a modular tile connect.





FIG. 19

is a sectional side view of two connected modular tiles taken along the line


19





19


of FIG.


2


. As shown in

FIG. 19

, an electrical tile connect


475


connects modular tile


91


and modular tile


95


. Modular tile


95


includes a base structure


641


, a first conductor


702


disposed on base structure


641


, and a second conductor


708


disposed between insulation member


631


and a cover


621


. First conductor


702


and a second conductor


708


together define a circuit


709


. Modular tile


91


has a similar construction as modular tile


95


. Tile connect


475


preferably connects a first circuit of modular tile


91


to a second circuit of modular tile


95


.




The mechanical characteristics of connect


475


are similar to the previously described modular tile connects


301


,


401


and


501


. Tile connect


475


comprises a top surface


436


, a bottom surface


438


, a first and a second upwardly directed pin


444


and


445


, and a first and a second downwardly directed pin


440


and


441


. Connect


475


further comprises a first conductor


437


and a second conductor


439


. First conductor


437


is embedded in connect top surface


436


and extends from the first upwardly directed pin


444


to the second upwardly directed pin


445


. Second conductor


439


is embedded in connect bottom surface


438


and extends from the first downwardly directing pin


440


to the second downwardly directed pin


441


.




To connect to circuit


709


of modular tile


95


, connect


475


is placed between the cover


621


and the base structure


641


. In this position, downwardly directed pin


441


releasably affixes a base structure hole such that the second conductor


439


mates with a connecting point of conductor


702


residing on base structure


641


. More preferably, second conductor


439


mates with a connecting point


736


of conductor


702


. This electrical connection results in second conductor


439


being at the same electrical potential as conductor


702


.




When the modular tile


95


cover


621


is installed over base structure


643


, upwardly directed pin


445


releasably engages a cover downwardly facing hole


447


and thereby engages second conductor


708


residing between cover


621


and insulator


631


. More preferably, first conductor


437


at upwardly directed pin


445


mates with a connecting point


736


of conductor


708


. This electrical connection results in first conductor


437


being at the same electrical potential as conductor


708


. Connect


475


engages modular tile


91


in a similar manner. Electrical power can therefore be transmitted between modular tile


95


and modular tile


91


by way of electrical connect


475


.




Preferably, modular tiles connected together in a modular tile platform configuration define a power grid. Based on the configuration of the modular tile platform, the power grid may extend throughout an entire platform or only among those connected modular tiles having a circuit comprising a first and second conductor. The preferred power grid is a low voltage D.C. power grid. This low voltage power grid supplies D.C. power to tools including notebook computers, calculators, lamps or other similar type tools requiring low voltage D.C. power.




Connect


475


of

FIG. 19

represents a general side view of either the four-way connects


325


,


330


or the two-way connects


425


,


430


shown in FIG.


18


. Alternatively, connect


475


represents a general side view of a three-way connect.




In an alternative embodiment, a modular tile without a first and a second horizontal conductor is connected to a conducting modular tile. For example, a platform such as the one shown in

FIG. 2

may have both conducting and non-conducting modular tiles connected to one another. Electrical power can then be distributed according to the previously described method only to the conducting modular tiles. Electrical power can therefore be selectively distributed among modular tiles by using an electrical modular tile connect


475


.




Together, the first conductor


702


and the second conductor


708


define a circuit


709


. Once energized, circuit


709


distributes electrical power to the various conductor connecting points


734


,


735


and


736


within a modular tile. Preferably, the circuit


709


defines a low voltage circuit (i.e., 5-50 Vdc). Conductors


702


,


708


are sized appropriately to handle the required loading.




As previously discussed with reference to

FIG. 19

, the modular tile circuit


709


of modular tile


91


may be powered from adjacent modular tile


95


. Alternatively, modular tile


91


receives power from an exterior source


995


. Preferably, the external source powers a transformer


996


which in turn provides power to an electrical connector


997


. Electrical connector


997


has two leads


998


,


999


which are connected to the first and second conductors


702


,


708


, respectively. Alternatively, the transformer


996


connects directly to the conductors


702


,


708


. Transformer


996


either isolates or steps-down the incoming power from the exterior source


995


. The transformer


996


or the electrical connector


997


are installed either on top of the modular tile


91


or within one of the modular tile chambers.





FIG. 31

is a side view of a modular tile platform


530


according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32

is a top view of the modular tile platform


530


shown in FIG.


31


.





FIG. 31

shows a ceiling


550


, a cabling member


535


and a modular tile platform


530


installed over an existing floor


38


. Ceiling


550


comprises cabling


3


and at least one connecting point


553


. Cabling


3


provides either low voltage electrical power (i.e., 115/120 Vac), high voltage electrical power (ie., 240 Vac), or low voltage direct current power (i.e., 5-50 Vdc). Alternatively, cabling


3


transmits communications. At least one connecting point


553


for connecting to the cabling member


535


is provided in the ceiling


550


.




Preferably, cabling member


535


comprises a body portion


536


and a base portion


539


. Body portion


536


comprises a first portion


552


and a second portion


537


and preferably made from extruded aluminum. First portion


552


releasably engages a connecting point


553


of ceiling


550


. Second portion


537


releasably engages the base portion


539


. With reference to

FIGS. 31-32

, body portion


536


is preferably hollow having an inner dimension such that cabling


3


can be managed within the body portion


536


from the ceiling


550


to the base portion


539


. More preferably, body portion


536


is elliptical.




Preferably, base portion


539


comprises a first element and a second element


551


,


552


. Elements


551


,


552


interface with a base structure


585


of one of the modular tiles making up modular tile platform


530


. In this preferred embodiment, a cover from one of the modular tiles making up the modular tile platform


530


is removed thereby exposing a modular tile base structure. The base portion


539


interfaces with the base structure which has the same general mechanical characteristics as base structure


585


of the modular tile


95


previously described in this specification. Preferably, the base portion


539


is removably secured to the base structure in a similar fashion as the cover is secured. Therefore, commonality of base structures throughout the entire modular tile platform


530


can be maintained. Moreover, installed cabling


3


can be installed and managed in the connected modular tiles directly underneath the platform.




Cabling


3


is managed within cabling member


535


and then within base portion


539


so that the installed cabling


3


is accessible underneath base structure


585


. Preferably, installed cabling


3


is managed in upper chamber


75


or lower chamber


85


modular tile


585


. Installed cabling


3


can therefore be managed throughout the modular tile platform


530


.





FIG. 24

is a sectional side view of a portion of the modular tile platform taken along the line


24


-


24


of

FIG. 26

showing a protruding portion of an indexing element of the sound boom


5


.

FIG. 24

shows modular tile


693


receiving a protruding portion


676


of an indexing element


679


. Modular tile


693


comprises a top portion


575


residing on a bottom portion


585


. Modular tile top portion


575


comprises a floor covering


601


, cover


621


, conductor


708


and insulation member


631


. In this preferred embodiment, only three apertures


675


on cover


621


are shown. More preferably, nine apertures


675


are provided on cover


621


.




Protruding portion


676


is releasably received into aperture


675


of cover


621


. The protruding portion


675


is supported by upper portion member


900


. Preferably, cover apertures


675


cooperate with horizontal portion member apertures


950


and corner column member apertures


850


such that, together, they receive and support a protruding portion of an indexing element


679


associated with work environment element


680


.




The protruding element


676


has a first electrode


690


and a second electrode


692


. Once inserted into an indexing aperture


675


, the protruding portion


676


mates with the modular tile


95


such that first conductor


702


connects with the first indexing element electrode


692


and the second conductor


708


connects with the second indexing element electrode


690


. More preferably, the indexing electrodes


690


,


692


mate with the clamping means


738


of connecting points


734


or


735


. Powering the circuit


709


will consequently provide power to the inserted indexing element


679


.




Preferably, the indexing element


679


is part of a work environment element such as a leg of a work surface, a panel, a storage cabinet or a screen. Alternatively, the indexing element


679


is a work environment device requiring power such as a lamp, sound boom, work surface or like device. For example, indexing element


679


is part of the sound boom


5


shown in FIG.


26


.




The modular tile circuit


709


of modular tile


95


shown in

FIG. 24

may be powered as previously described with reference to the modular tile


91


shown in FIG.


19


. For example, the circuit


709


could receive power from exterior source


995


, transformer


996


, or electrical connector


997


. Alternatively, the electrical connector leads


998


,


999


are connected directly to the first and second indexing element electrode


692


,


690


, respectively.




FIGS.


25


(


a


)-(


d


) show alternative preferred embodiments of a modular tile indexing element. FIG.


25


(


a


) shows work environment indexing element


760


for a work environment element having at least one leg


766


. Preferably, indexing element


760


has a protruding portion


762


. In this embodiment, the indexing element


760


includes an upper portion


764


adapted to releasably engage a bottom surface


765


of leg


766


. Alternatively, the upper portion


764


includes an upwardly open cavity


768


for receiving the bottom surface


765


of a work environment leg


766


.




FIG.


25


(


b


) shows an alternative embodiment in which the indexing element


770


has an upper portion


772


which includes a protruding portion


774


. The protruding portion


774


releasably engages an aperture


776


in the bottom surface of the leg


780


.




FIG.


25


(


c


) shows another alternative embodiment wherein the indexing element


782


includes an upper portion


784


with a first


785


and a second


786


upwardly extending wall. The first and second walls


785


,


786


meet at a right angle


787


thereby adapted to engage a lower corner


788


of a work environment element


789


.




FIG.


25


(


d


) shows still another alternative embodiment wherein the indexing element


790


includes a protruding portion


792


for insertion into the cover apertures


675


. The indexing element


790


includes a shoulder portion


794


for engaging the top surface of the modular tiles.





FIG. 22

shows a top view of still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22

shows a modular tile


895


having an outlet box


991


. Power is preferably transmitted to outlet box


991


directly from cabling


2


. Alternatively, power is preferably transmitted to outlet box


991


via a transformer


896


. Transformer


896


is either a step down or isolation transformer receiving power from an external power source


897


. Outlet box


991


is accessible from the top of the modular tile


895


and provides a convenient power connection for the occupants of the work environment. An example of a outlet box


991


that may be used in a preferred embodiment includes Model No.


55-7601


from AMP, Incorporated.

FIG. 23

shows a side view of the modular tile shown in FIG.


22


.




In still another alternative embodiment, a manufactured wiring system


898


provides power to the modular tile


895


. In this embodiment, the wiring system


898


includes a number of outlet boxes


991


dispensed throughout a modular tile platform. An example of a wiring system that may be used in a preferred embodiment includes a Model No. 556731, 556173-1, or 556794-1 from AMP, Incorporated. The wiring system


898


is dispensed either over the existing floor or within the chambers of the modular tiles. The outlet boxes


991


can be connected to distribute power to an individual modular tile rather than an entire modular tile platform.





FIG. 26

is a perspective view of a platform work environment


20


incorporating still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Platform environment


20


comprises a modular tile platform or island


30


, various work environment components installed on modular tile platform


30


, and cabling


2


and


4


servicing environment


20


.




Platform


30


comprises a plurality of connected modular tiles


95


. As shown in

FIG. 26

, modular tile platform


30


comprises twenty-five (25) modular tiles


95


connected in a matrix configuration.

FIG. 27

is a top view of platform work environment


20


shown in FIG.


26


.

FIG. 28

is a side view of platform work environment


20


shown in

FIGS. 26-27

.




Referring to

FIGS. 26 and 27

, platform


30


is installed on top of an existing floor


10


which can be a new construction foundation floor. In these types of installations, the modular tiles


95


are connected to one another to define specific zones and work areas defined by the building structure. Alternatively, platform


30


can be installed on top of an already existing raised floor panel system. In these types of retrofit applications, installation of the platform


30


is simplified since the existing floor


10


need not be disassembled or reconfigured. As shown in

FIGS. 26 and 28

, the modular tiles


95


are exposed along their edges. Therefore, the assembled modular tile platform


30


is preferably exposed along its edges.




The modular tiles


95


making up the platform


30


are connected in various configurations depending on the logistical and surface area requirements of the platform


30


. For example, in the embodiments shown in

FIGS. 26 and 27

, modular tiles


11


,


13


,


15


and


17


are arranged adjacent one another so that a respective corner of each of the four tiles


11


,


13


,


15


, and


17


meet at common point


19


. Specifically, corner


21


of tile


11


, corner


23


of tile


13


, corner


25


of tile


15


and corner


27


of tile


17


meet one another at common point


19


. This four tile arrangement is duplicated throughout the platform


30


until the requisite work environment surface area is configured.




Where two adjacent modular tiles


95


are arranged at the outer boundaries of the platform


30


, the tiles each have a respective corner which meet at a common point. For example, outer corner


31


of modular tile


11


and outer corner


33


of modular tile


13


meet one another at common point


29


. Where these two tiles meet, they are connected via a two-way connect as shown in

FIGS. 12 and 13

. Alternatively, modular tiles


95


are configured so that a corner of only three tiles meet at a common point and form an “L” configuration. Where these three tiles meet, they are connected via a three-way connect as shown in

FIGS. 10-11

. Modular platforms incorporating an L configuration are provided in the composite work environment


100


shown in FIG.


29


.





FIG. 29

is a top view of a composite work environment


100


incorporating another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Composite work environment


100


defines an entire floor of a building


102


. Alternatively, environment


100


defines only a portion of an entire floor.




As shown in the composite work environment


100


of

FIG. 29

, it is not required to cover the entire existing floor


101


with the modular tiles


95


. Rather, a plurality of the tiles


95


are installed in a stand alone fashion to configure the modular platforms


40


,


70


,


80


and


90


which are suited for work environments supporting a limited number of personnel.




Composite work environment


100


comprises four isolated platform environments


40


,


70


,


80


, and


90


all having unique configurations. Environments


40


and


70


are generally rectangular type platforms, similar to the platforms shown in

FIGS. 26

,


27


and


28


. Platform environment


40


comprises twenty (20) modular tiles


95


configured in a five-by-four matrix. Platform environment


70


comprises forty (40) modular tiles


95


configured in a five-by-eight rectangular matrix.




Platforms


80


and


90


utilize the three tile approach in forming an L configuration. For example, in work environment


80


, connected modular tiles


56


,


57


and


58


and modular tiles


48


,


49


and


50


form a three tile L configuration. Similarly, in work environment


90


, connected modular tiles


62


,


63


and


64


form an L configuration. Either of the work platforms


40


,


70


,


80


or


90


can be extended in width or length based on changing work environment requirements.




Alternatively, platform environments


40


,


70


,


80


or


90


are installed in the typical wall-to-wall configuration (not shown). In this alternative embodiment, a single platform is extended in length and width to cover an entire existing floor. Alternatively, existing modular platforms


40


,


70


,


80


and


90


are extended thereby tying all four modular platforms


40


,


70


,


80


and


90


into one work environment.




The modular tile platforms shown in

FIGS. 26-29

comprise modular tiles having square covers.

FIG. 36

shows an alternative embodiment of a modular tile platform wherein the modular tile covers have an hexagonal shape.

FIG. 37

shows another alternative embodiment of a modular tile platform wherein the modular tile covers have a rectangular shape. In this preferred embodiment, the modular tiles are arranged adjacent one another so that a respective corner of the four tiles meet at a common point. Alternatively, as shown in

FIG. 38

, the modular tile covers having a rectangular shape are staggered in an off-set fashion such that only two corners of the two modular tiles meet at a common point.




Returning to

FIGS. 26-28

, work environment


20


comprises a number of work environment elements including a work surface


3


, a sound boom


5


, a light


7


, a chair


9


, a chair bump


8


, a foot rest


13


and a movable wall


6


. Other possible elements include water coolers, fans, noise cancellation devices, intelligent lap top power supplies, storage components, podiums, chairs, lighting, ambient task lighting and integrally lit free standing panels. Preferably, these elements are indexed within the modular tile platform utilizing the preferred indexing means as previously described and shown. These work elements preferably have at least one indexing element having a protruding portion (not shown in

FIG. 26

) which is releasably affixed to a modular tile.




To support these elements and other associated electrical devices, power, data, voice and other utilities must be brought to and distributed throughout the modular tiles and therefore the platform. Cabling


2


and


4


servicing work platform


20


are communicated to modular environment


20


in a number of different ways.





FIG. 29

shows various schemes for providing the cabling to and from the modular platforms


40


,


70


,


80


and


90


. Cabling


2


supplies standard low voltage electrical power (i.e., 115/120 Vac). In an alternative embodiment, cabling


2


provides higher voltage electrical power (e.g., 240 Vac) and work environments


40


,


70


,


80


, and


90


have transformer means for transforming this higher voltage. Alternatively, cabling


2


provides low voltage direct current power (i.e., 5-50 Vdc). Power and communications cabling and other electrical devices (i.e., AC/DC transformers) are installed either underneath, within or between connected modular tiles.




Work environment utilities are supplied from an existing utilities service within the work environment or from adjacent work environment zones and transmitted to the work platform in a number of different ways. In a preferred embodiment, modular platforms receive electrical power from an exterior source. For example, as shown in

FIG. 29

, work environment


70


receives electrical power via cabling


51


from exterior source


61


. Exterior source


61


may be a load center, a control panel, or a branch circuit access point (or junction point) within the work environment building or in a remote electrical room. Preferably, the electrical power transmitted via cabling


51


is 115/120 VAC.




In an alternative embodiment, work environment


70


comprises transformer means


66


which isolates incoming electrical power supplied by exterior source


61


. Alternatively, transformer means


66


steps down the incoming electrical power. Transformer means


66


is installed either underneath, on top of or within the tiles making up modular platform


70


. A platform can also receive electrical power from another modular platform. For example, work environment


80


receives electrical power from work environment


70


via cabling


53


.




Communication or data cabling


4


is installed in each work platform. This cabling is necessary for transmitting communications information to work platforms to service facsimile, computer networks (i.e., Internet and Intranet capabilities), phone lines and modems. Communication cabling


2


can be pulled from one work environment to another. This cabling scheme is preferred where various environments must be networked with one another (e.g., LAN, Internet, Intranets, e-mail, etc.).




In a preferred embodiment, communication or data information originates from an external source


67


and is transmitted to work platform


80


via cabling


41


. From platform


80


, this information is transmitted via data cabling


41


to work environment


80


and can be further re-transmitted to other work platforms. In composite environment


100


, communication and data information transmitted via cabling


41


is sent to work platform


70


,


90


, and


40


via communication and data line cabling


43


,


45


, and


47


, respectively. Alternatively, work platforms


40


,


70


, and


90


receive communication information from separate exterior communications sources.





FIG. 33

shows still another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33

shows a modular tile platform


360


comprising a plurality of connected modular tiles


95


and a modular tile platform ramp


370


. Ramp


370


is connected to the modular tiles


95


within the modular tile platform


360


such that the resulting modular tile platform work environment


365


maintains a generally rectangular configuration. Preferably, ramp


370


has a length and a width equivalent to the length and width of four modular tiles connected in a generally rectangular platform. Therefore, as shown in

FIG. 33

, ramp


370


is connected to two modular tiles


95


. Ramp


370


is connected to the two modular tiles via a two-way modular tile connect and a three-way modular tile connect.





FIG. 34

shows an alternative embodiment of the modular tile platform shown in FIG.


33


.

FIG. 34

shows a modular tile platform


350


comprising modular tiles


95


and a modular tile platform ramp


370


. Ramp


370


is connected to two modular tiles


95


via a two-way modular tile connect and a three-way modular tile connect. In this alternative embodiment, ramp


370


is connected to the generally rectangular modular tile platform


350


along an exterior edge


357


.





FIG. 35

is a sectional side view of the connected modular tile platform ramp


370


taken along the line


34





34


as shown in FIG.


34


.

FIG. 35

shows the ramp


370


adjacent a modular tile


95


and installed over an exiting floor


38


. Ramp


370


is connected to modular tile


95


via modular tile connect


378


. Preferably, the ramp


370


has the same height as the tile


95


. The ramp


370


comprises an incline


371


and is supported by a plurality of ribs


373


. The ramp incline


371


is preferably covered with a floor covering


372


. The floor covering


372


has ridges


373


which prevents slipping along the incline. The ramp


370


is preferably made from extruded aluminum. Alternately, the ramp


370


is a die cast of aluminum alloys. The ramp


370


facilitates accessing a modular tile platform for wheeled carts, wheelchairs and chairs.




Referring to

FIGS. 39 through 47

, a modular tile


1000


illustrating an alternate preferred embodiment is shown.

FIG. 39

illustrates an exploded view of the modular tile


1000


including a base member


1002


and a cover


1004


. The base member


1002


includes a plurality of standoff members


1006


located on opposing corners of the base member


1002


. The standoff members


1006


, are press fit into apertures


1008


in the base member


1002


. The standoff members


1006


function to support the cover


1004


. In addition, the standoffs


1006


include a cavity


1012


that is covered by a seal


1014


. The seal


1014


includes a cross-shaped cut


1015


. Connection members


1020


are also press fit into the corners of the base member


1002


. An o-ring


1022


is secured on an upper portion


1024


of the connection member


1020


. The base member


1002


includes side portions


1026


intermediate between adjacent corners


1030


and a bottom surface


1031


. The side portions


1026


are also useful for alignment of the floor tiles


1000


during installation. A standoff members


1032


are press fit into an aperture adjacent to the side portions


1036


. The standoff members


1032


have an extended or elongated top surface


1036


that is covered by a seal


1038


. The seal


1038


includes a cross-shaped cut


1039


. The top surface


1036


provides additional support for the sides of the cover


1004


. The seals


1038


and


1014


are preferably formed from a plastic material such as TPE and provide a non-metallic surface between the base member


1002


and the cover


1004


. In this manner, any sound that could result from any movement between the these elements is lessened.





FIG. 44

illustrates the bottom surface of the base member


1002


. A plurality of oval shaped tracks


1039


extend along the outer corners and intermediate side portions of the bottom surface


1031


of the base member


1002


. The oval shaped tracks


1039


function to spread out any load that is being supported by the base member


1002


. In this manner, it is intended that the floor surface will not become deformed through the use of the modular tile


1000


. As also seen in this Figure, a plurality of material saving apertures


1040


are located in the base member


1002


. The apertures


1040


also allow cabling to pass from beneath to above the horizontal portion


1041


. The apertures


1040


are also useful as an opening for a hand grip during installation. Power and data cabling can be fed through a system of floor tiles and rest on the horizontal portion


1041


.




The cover


1004


is preferably made from a top portion


1042


and bottom portion


1043


. The top portion


1042


, as best seen in

FIG. 45

, includes nine cross-shaped apertures


1044


. The cross-shaped apertures


1044


are adapted to receive an indexing element from a panel, screen or other work environment element. A plurality of corresponding openings


1046


extend coaxially within the bottom portion


1042


of the cover


1004


. The apertures


1044


are arranged in three spaced-apart and parallel rows


1050


,


1052


,


1054


. However, other configurations may be implemented as those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize. A plurality of drainage holes


1056


extend between each of the apertures


1044


. Holes


1057


are located adjacent corners of the cover


1004


. Punch-outs


1058


are located at various positions along the edges and around the center of the cover


1004


. Corresponding drainage holes


1056


and punchouts


1058


are located within the bottom portion


1042


.




As shown in

FIG. 40

, a plurality of modular tiles


1000


may be arranged to cover a floor


1100


. The modular tiles


1000


may be interconnected using connection elements as seen in

FIGS. 41 through 43

.

FIG. 41

illustrates a four-way connector


1059


that includes four apertures


1060


extending perpendicular to one another and adapted to be attached to the connection members


1020


. The o-ring


1022


functions to provide a connection that will not produce much noise as users walk across the modular tiles


1000


.

FIG. 42

illustrates a three-way connection member


1068


having three apertures


1070


. Each aperture is adapted to fit on top of a connection member


1020


. Similarly,

FIG. 43

illustrates a two-way connection member


1074


having two apertures


1076


. Threaded holes


1078


may be secured to a cover


1004


threw a fastening mechanism such as screw that passed through the holes


1057


. In this manner, the cover


1004


may be locked into engagement with the connections members


1059


,


1068


,


1074


in order to provide a more secure assembly that may be useful in areas prone to earthquakes.




The top portion


1042


and the bottom portion


1043


are connected to one another such that a bent edge


1080


extends downward along the periphery of the top portion


1042


and into a curved opening


1082


that extends along the periphery


1084


of the bottom portion


1043


. An adhesive, such as two-part urethane is used to secure the top portion


1042


to the bottom portion


1043


. Once bonded together, the two-part cover


1004


construction provides additional strength that prevents bending.





FIG. 46

illustrates an enlarged view of the aperture


1044


that is shown in the top view of the cover


1004


. The aperture


1044


, in this preferred embodiment, has a cross-shape configuration


1088


. However, other configurations could be implemented with the present invention.





FIG. 47

illustrates the connection of work element such as work surface or screen to a modular tile


1000


. The leg


1110


of the work element includes an indexing member


1112


. The indexing member


1112


passes through an opening in a carpet tile


1114


, through the aperture


1044


in the cover


1004


and through the seal


1914


into a standoff


1006


. As shown in this Figure, the standoff


1006


includes a bottom portion


1120


adapted to receive the lower portion


1122


of the indexing element


1112


. In this manner, the work element is secured to the modular tile


1000


.





FIG. 49

illustrates a modular tile


1000


having a seal


1150


between the carpet tile


1114


and the cover


1004


. The seal


1150


, preferably formed from plastic, includes apertures


1152


corresponding with the apertures in the carpet tile


1114


and the cover


1004


. The seal


1150


includes a periphery


1154


that extends over and slightly out from a lip


11565


on the cover


1004


. The periphery


1154


extends and overlaps the periphery of an adjacent seal


1150


. The periphery


1154


of the seal


1150


prevents dirt and other elements such as moisture from passing between adjacent covers


1004


.




Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is the appended claims including all equivalents thereof, which are intended to define the scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A modular tile for installation on top of an existing floor, the modular tile comprising:a base structure having a generally horizontal portion, the base structure comprising four connecting points such that a plurality of the base structures placed on top of the existing floor and arranged so that a corner of each adjacent base structure meet at a common point can be releasably affixed to one another by way of a modular tile connect, floor support members positioned on a bottom surface of the generally horizontal portion, and upper column members extending above the horizontal portion, and a cover supported by the upper column members a distance above the horizontal portion thereby creating a chamber between the horizontal portion and the cover, the chamber adapted to receive cabling therein.
  • 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a floor covering material.
  • 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the floor covering material is carpet.
  • 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the four connecting points are located at the four corners of the base structure.
  • 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein a resilient member is located on the connecting points.
  • 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the base structure further comprises a hole through the generally horizontal portion such that cabling can pass between a lower chamber and an upper chamber.
  • 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the modular tile further comprises a nonmetallic cover positioned between the base structure and the cover.
  • 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the base structure has a bottom surface having a floor support element.
  • 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the floor support members form an oval shaped ridge.
  • 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the base structure is a one piece construction.
  • 11. A system of modular tiles for installation on top of an existing floor, comprising:at least four generally rectangular modular tiles arranged so that a corner of each of the modular tiles meets at a common point, each modular tile comprising a generally rectangular base structure, the base structure having a generally horizontal portion, a connecting point at each corner, upper column members extending above the horizontal base structure portion, a cover supported by the upper column members thereby creating a chamber between the horizontal portion and the cover adapted to receive cabling therein; and a modular tile connect engaging adjacent connecting points of the modular tiles to releasably connect the modular tiles.
  • 12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the modular tile connect comprises a central member and four connecting members extending therefrom.
  • 13. The invention of claim 12 wherein each connecting member comprises a pin and wherein each connecting point is a hole adapted to receive the pin.
  • 14. The invention of claim 13 further comprising a modular tile platform ramp connected to one of the modular tiles.
  • 15. The invention of claim 13 further comprising a seal mounted over the upper column members.
  • 16. The invention of claim 15 wherein the seal includes a cut adapted to receive a probe extending downward from the cover.
  • 17. A system of modular tiles for installation on top of an existing floor and on which a work environment is configured, the work environment comprising elements selected from a group comprising panels, screens, work surfaces, storage cabinets, and lamps, the system comprising a plurality of modular tiles arranged side by side across the existing floor to thereby create a work environment platform, each modular tile comprising a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion including an array of apertures, the array being generally identical on each modular tile, the apertures adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element associated with at least some of the work environment elements, the indexing element extending downward into an upper column attached to a horizontal base portion.
  • 18. The invention of claim 17, wherein the array of apertures on each modular tile is configured so as to provide an array on the work environment platform of equally spaced columns and rows of apertures.
  • 19. The invention of claim 18, wherein each modular tile includes 9 apertures in three rows and three columns.
  • 20. The invention of claim 19, wherein the apertures are star shaped.
RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/724,673, filed Nov. 28, 2000, (pending), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) and §365, this application claims the benefit of the filing date of PCT Application No. PCT/US99/11966, filed Jun. 1, 1999, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/087,582, filed Jun. 1, 1998, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

US Referenced Citations (4)
Number Name Date Kind
5400554 Lo Mar 1995 A
5904015 Chen May 1999 A
6370831 Marshall et al. Apr 2002 B1
6455773 Bellanger Sep 2002 B2
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/087582 Jun 1998 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/724673 US
Child 10/012572 US