Raised access floor

Abstract

A modular raised access floor panel includes a frame, a first edge member, a second edge member, and a center member. The first edge member has a first floor surface. The second edge member is disposed substantially perpendicular to the first edge member and has a second floor surface. The first center member is disposed adjacent to the first edge member and has a third floor surface. When the floor panel is assembled, the first floor surface, the second floor surface, and the third floor surface are disposed substantially within the same plane.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to and claims priority from Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 759,465 filed Jan. 17, 2006, for an Extruded and Die-Cast Aluminum Raised Access Floor, with inventors Peter J. Spransy and Brian Mazur, which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to flooring. More specifically, the present invention relates to raised-access floors.BACKGROUND[0003]Raised access flooring systems have been used for decades in areas of buildings that require frequent access to the space underneath the floor. Typically used in computer labs and cleanroom areas, the space underneath the access floor is generally used to route pipes, electrical wires, and signal lines. Often the area under the floor is also used to return air that comes into the room via filters in the ceiling. To provide easy access, the floor may be made up of floor panels, typically two feet square, which may be supported on ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a new technology that improves the efficiency of a heat exchanger. The technology involves using a special coating on the heat exchanger that helps to reduce the amount of fouling that occurs when the heat exchanger is in use. This coating helps to keep the heat exchanger clean and functioning properly, which can save time and money and improve overall efficiency."

Problems solved by technology

Recently in the microchip industry, the equipment in cleanrooms has become significantly heavier, causing building operators concern when moving in new equipment.

If a heavily loaded floor panel breaks, the expensive equipment might be significantly damaged.

The typical die-cast aluminum floor panel generally has two main limitations: first, the actual materials used and second, an inefficient structural design.

First, the alloying materials used in the die-cast aluminum may cause the material properties to be relatively brittle compared to wrought or extruded aluminum alloys.

This typically gives the material low resistance to impact loading.

In addition, the very nature of the die-casting process may induce impurities, inclusions, small gas pockets and other material irregularities that may reduce the strength in general and may greatly increase the variability of the strength properties.

Second, with die-casting, it may be necessary to design draft into the part being produced so the cast part can be ejected from the die.

This is usually inefficient since to resist bending loads in the panel there should be generally more material at the bottom, i.e., to get an I-beam effect.

Attempts have been made to produce welded panels from extruded shapes but the cost to manufacture this style has generally precluded their adoption.

Steel floor panels have also been used sporadically, however, they are usually excessively heavy, making them difficult to place and remove by one person and are not typically recognized as cleanroom compatible since any scratches in the finished surface could eventually rust becoming a source of contaminates.

Steel panels are also typically very difficult and costly to cut in the field.

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