Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to a readjustable floor system which,
in a so-called intelligent building inherently and essentially
necessitating freely readjustable distribu-tion of power,
communication and transmission cables for connection to office-
automating machines and tools and telephones, for example,
permits amply free distribution of such cables.
In recent years, various office-automating machines and
tools which are intended to i~prove o~fice work and data
transmission work in operational efficiency have been ~inding
their way into an increasing number of officesO This t.rend has
been urging the desirability of enabling power, communication and
transmission cables of various sorts for connection to such
office-automating machines and tools to be Preely distributed in
a perfectly concealed condition instead of being randomly laid
out conspicuously on the floor.
Under these circumstances, the floor duct method which
consists in burying d~cts under office floors and the ~lat cable
method which comprises preparing cables of ~lattened cross
sections and distributing these cables under ordinary tile
carpets have been proposed.
In the case of the floor duct method, because ~he lines of
distribution and the volume of cables for distribution are
predetermined by the positions of buried ducts and the diameters
of cables selected to be laid out, it naturally follows that the
freedom of dis-tribution of cables has its own limit. The most
serious one o~ the problems encountered by this method resides in
the fact that this method is incapable of flexibly coping with
expansion and relocation of the office-automating machines and
tools already installed.
The flat cable method is capable of flexiblY coping ~ith the
e~pansion and relocation of already distributed cables as
compared with the floor duct method. It ne~ertheless poses as a
new problem the disadvantage that the cables to be used are
required to be specially molded in flattened cross sections and,
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whenever the already distributed cables are increased or
r010cated, the tile carpets already placed are required to be
peeled off the floor bed and then replaced.
One object of this invention is to provide a readjustable
floor system which enables cables o-f various sorts -to be freely
distributed ~ith an extremely simple structure.
Another object of this invention is to provide a
readJustable floor sYstem which is capable o-f very flexibly
coping with expansion and relocation of already distribu-ted
cables of various sorts with a very simple structure.
To accomplish the objects described above, according to this
invention, there is provided a readiustable ~loor system
comprising unit members of an approximately U-shaped cross
section each composed of a pair o~ ~loor member-supporting ioists
disposed parallelly on a floor surface in an opposed relation -to
each other across a fixed interval and a bottom plate laid to
interconnect the lower parts of the pair of floor me~ber-
supporting joists, the unit members definin~ -therein a space for
distribution of cables and pipes, a plurality of antistatic
sheets each having opposite ends fastened to the pair of floor
member-supporting joists for vertically partitioning the space,
and unit floor boards detachably mounted one each on top of the
unit members~
According to -this invention, there is also provided a
readjustable floor system comprising unit members of an
approximately U-shaped cross section each composed of a pair of
floor member-supportin~ joists disposed parallelly on a floor
surface in an opposed relation to each other across a fi~ed
interval and a bottom plate laid to interconnect the lower parts
of the pair of floor member-supporting ioists, the unit members
defining therein a space for distribution of cables and pipes, a
plurality of antistatic sheets each having oposite ends fastened
to the pair of floor member-supporting joists for vertically
partitioning the space, each of the antistatic sheets
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concurrently serving as a heat-transfer sheet and having a
groove-shaped receptacle, unit floor boards detachably mounted
one each on top of the unit members, and a plurality of -thermal
medium-circulating pipes each distributed across the groove-
shaped receptacle of the heat-transfer sheet.
In either o~ the constructions mentioned above, this
invention contemplates additionally having dewproofing members,
one of which is interposed between the bottom plates of the uni-t
members and the floor surface.
The above and other obiects, characteristic features and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to
those skilled in the art as the disclosure is made in the
following description o-f preferred embodiments of the invention,
as illustra-ted in the accompanying drawings, in ~hich:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating in a separatedstate a unit member and a unit floor board used for an embodiment
of this inventionr
Figure 2 is a plan vie~ of the essential part illustrating
the unit me~bers in a ioined state.
Figure 3 is a partially cutaway perspective vie~
illustrating a completed readjustable floor system according to
this invention.
Figure ~ is a cross section illustrating the essential part
of the readjustable floor system of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating another unit
member usable in this invention.
Figure 6 is a cross sec-tion illustrating another embodiment
of the readiustable floor system according to this invention.
This invention contemplates a readjustable floor system
~hich is produced by forming unit members of an appro~i~atelY
U-shaped cross section each composed of a pair of floor member-
supportin~ joists disposed parallellY on a ~loor surface in a
opposed relation to each other across a ~i~ed interval and a
bottom plate laid to interconnec-t the lower parts of the pair of
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floor member-supporting joists, defining a space for distribution
of cables and pipes inside the unit members, vertically
partitioning the space through antistatic sheets, and de-tachably
mounting unit floor boards one each on top of the unit members.
This invention further contemplates a floor system ~hich is
produced by forming unit members of an approximately U-shaPed
cross section each composed of a pair of floor member-supporting
joists disposed parallelly on a floor surface in an opposed
relation to each other across a fi~ed interval and a bottom plate
laid to interconnect the lower parts of the pair of floor member-
supporting ioists, defining a space for distribution of cables
and pipes inside the unit members, vertically partitioning the
space through heat-transfer sheets concurrently serving as
antistatic sheets, distributing thermal medium-circulating pipes
across groove-shaped receptacles formed in the heat-transfer
sheetsS and detachably mounting unit floor boards one each on top
of the unit members.
In either of the constructions embodyin~ this invention as
mentioned above, the present invention contemplates addi-tionally
having dewproofing members, one of which is interposed bet~een
the bottom plates of the unit members and the floor surface.
In the present invention, ~hen a dewproofing sheet is
stretched out on the floor surface and the unit members are laid
end to end and side by side on the dewproofing sheet, the spaces
for distribution of cables and pipes which are defined inside the
individual unit members are joined continuously so as to form
desired lines for distribution of cables and piPeS. Then, the
cables and pipes of various sorts for connection to the office
automating machines and tools can be freely distributed through
the continued ducts formed of ioined spaces. Thereafter, the
unit floor boards are mounted one each directly above the pairs
of floor member-supporting ioists joined end to end and side by
side. Thus7 a f~oor structure having the cables of various sorts
easily and freely distributed therein can be assembled ~ith ease.
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Particularly in the case where high-voltage cables and lo~-
vol-tage cables are distributed together, generation of noise
poses itself as a problem. Th~s invention precludes this problem
by adopting the construction in which the spaces are partitioned
~ith the antistatic sheets so that the high-voltage cables and
the low-voltage cables may be distributed in a separated fashion
via the antistatic sheets.
Moreover, in the construction of a floor structure in
accordance with this invention, when the sPaces -for distribution
of cables and pipes are vertically partitioned with heat-transfer
sheets serving concurrently as antistatic sheets and th0rmal
medium-circulating pipes are distributed across the groove-shaped
receptacles formed in the heat-transfer shee-ts, continuous ducts
formed of the joined spaces can be utiliæed for ready
installation of a floor-warming unit. An ideal floor warming can
be attained by circulating a suitable thermal medium such as hot
water -through the thermal medium-circulating pipes.
The possible occurrence of dew by the temperature difference
causable in floor ~armin~ can be effectively prevented by the
interposition of a dewproofing shee-t between the bottom plates of
the unit members and the floor surface~
Now, the present invention will be described in detail below
with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
The basic structure of the readiustable floor system
according to the present invention is obtained, as illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2, by forming uni-t members 3 of an appro~imately
U-~haped cross section each composed of a pair of floor member-
supporting joists 1 disposed parallelly on a concrete floor
surface of an intelligent building in an opposed relation to each
other across a fixed interval and a bottom plate 2 laid to
interconnect the lower parts of the pair of floor me~ber-
supporting joists 1, thereby enabling the unit members 3 to be
laid continuously end to end and side by side on -the concrete
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floor surface, and detachablY mounting uni-t floor boards 6 on0
each on top o~ the floor member-supportin~ joists 1, thereby
defining spaces 4 for distribution of cables and pipes inside the
unit members 3~
When the unit members 3 of the U-shaped cross section are
continuously laid end to end and side by side on the concrete
floor surface, the spaces 4 defined for distribution of cables
and pipes inside the individual unit members 3 are naturally
continued in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of
depressed through parts 5 are formed in each of the supportin~
ioists 1 as illustrated in Figure 1 or Fi~ure 2. The spaces 4,
therefore, are also continued in the lateral direction across the
through parts 5.
The pair of floor member-supporting ioists 1 each have a
plurality of holes 7 with a lateral opening and an upper opening
du~ symmetically in the portions thereof not occupied by the
depressed through parts 5. When the unit members 3 are
continuously laid end to end and side by side, therefore,
connecting members 8 can be fitted into abutting holes 7 in -the
adjoining supporting ioists 1 for the purpose of mutually
fastening the unit members 3 with ample fastness particularly in
the lateral direction.
Desirably, the floor member-suPporting ioists 1 are long
rectan~ular pieces of wood, eoncrete, synthetic resin or metallic
substance prepared in various lengths. Depending on the area9
shape, etc. of the concrete floor surface given to be covered
with the floor system, therefore, the unit members 3 of the
optimum length may be offered.
The unit floor boards 6 are made of stratiform wood such a~
plywood, stone, concrete panel having core ~ires buried -therein,
synthetic resin panel or metallic plate. TheY are invariably
prepared in a si~e suitable for them to be continuouslY laid one
each on the uPper surfaces of the pair of supporting ioists 1.
It is necessary that they be produced in size and ~eight iust
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proper for them to be easily removed from the upper surfaces of
the supporting Joists 1 ~ith the aid of a known suction means or
a handle formed at a suitable position -thereo-f (not sho~n
specifically). It is likewise necessary that the unit floor
boards 6, when mounted in such a manner that the lateral parts
thereof ride directlY on the supporting joists 1, ~anifest
strength large enough to ~ithstand normal load exerted upon the
central part thereof.
In the present embodiment~ the floor produced bY assemblin~
the floor system acquires a structure fit concurrently for a
floor~warming mechanism. To be specific, the floor system of
this invention permits the floor of a given room to be ~arm by
disposing inside the spaces 4 combination antis-tatic and heat-
transfer sheets 9 of coper each having the central part thereof
depressed and the opposite lateral ends 9a thereof fastened to
the upper surfaces of the pair of floor member-supporting joists
1, and disposing thermal medium-circulating pipes 11 one each in
grooved-shaped receptacles 10 formed in the central part of the
hea-t-transfer sheets 9 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and
effecting forced circulatlon of a suitable thermal medium such as
hot ~ater through the pipes ll. In Figure 4, reference numeral
12 designates a heat insulator suitably packed between the heat-
transfer sheets 9 and the bottom plates 2.
Furthermore, in the present embodi~ent, dewproofing sheets
14a and 14b are respectivelY interposed betw~en the bottom plates
2 laid continuously side by side and the surface of a concrete
floor 13 and between the heat insulators 12 and the heat-transfer
sheets 9 as illustrated in Fi~ures 3 and 4 so as to effectiYely
prevent the occurrence of dew due to the temperature difference
ascribable to the floor warming. This preclusion of dew
formation keeps the cables C distributed in the floor from
other~ise possible adverse effects of ~ater condensateO
In producing a floor structure in an intelligent building by
copiously using the unit members 3 and the unit floor boards 6
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constructed as described above, first the surface 13 of a
concrete floor is entirely covered with the dewproofing sheet 14a
and -then a multiplicity of uni-t members 3 are laid on the
dewproo~ing sheet 14a continuously end to end and side by side.
As a result, the spaces 4 defined for distribution of cables and
pipes inside the indi~idual unit me~bers 3 are continued in the
longitudinal direction and, at the same ti~e, they are con-tinued
in the lateral direction across the through parts 5 so as to give
birth to a multiplicity o~ continuous distribution lines.
After the assembly has proceeded to this point, the heat-
transfer plates 9 are set in place with the opposite lat~ral ends
9a thereof fastened to the upper sur~aces of the floor ~ember-
supporting ioists 1 of the unit members 3 and the heat medium-
circulating pipes 11 are laid one each in the groov~-shaped
receptacles 10 formed in the heat-transfer plates 9. Thus, the
floor-warming mechanism can be easily incorporated in the floor
structure by making effective use of the continuous spaces 4~
The floor warming of a room can be accomplished by completing the
floor structure as described above and then circulating a
suitable thermal medium such as hot water supplied from a boiler
etc. through the heat medium-circulating pipes 11.
When the spaces 4 ~hich have been continued longitudinally
and laterally and made to incorPOrate therein a floor-~arming
mechanism are sui-tably selected, they permit connection of cables
C of various sor-ts to various office-automatin~ machines and
tools to be freely distributed in the longitudinal and lateral
directions. After the free distribution by the use of these
continued spaces 4 has been completed, the floor structure aimed
at can be immediately completed by moun-ting the unit floor boards
~ sequentiallY and continuously in such a manner that they will
ride one each directly on the supporting joists 1 ~hich have the
opposite lateral ends 9a of the heat-transfer plates 9 fastened
thereto.
GenerallY in the distribution of cables C of various sorts,
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thare is a possibilitY of noise being generated ~here hi~h-
vol-tage cables and lo~-volta~e cables are laid out clo5ely
to~ether. In the light of this possibility, the present
invention contemplates vertically partitioning the spaces 4 with
the combination antis-tatic and heat-transfer sheets 9 of copper
as described above, thereby allowing high-voltage cables and lo~-
voltage cables to be distributed separately above and belou the
heat-transfer plates 9. Thus, the present invention is perfectly
free from such perennial problems as inevitable generation of
noise.
Moreover, in the present embodiment, there is employed a
structure for ef-fectively precluding the ~ormation of de~
ascribable to the temperature difference inherent in floor
warming by interposing the dewproofing sheets 14a and 14b
respectively between the bottom plates 2 and the surface of the
concrete floor 13 and between the heat insulators 12 and the
heat-transfer plates 9. This embodiment, therefore, completely
precludes the possibility of water condensate înflic-ting adverse
effects on the cables C.
When the cables C which have been freely distributed as
described above are obliged to be redistributed on account of
expansion or relocation of office-automatin~ machines and tools
and telephones, for e~ample, the required redis-tribution of the
cables C can be very flexiblY and easily accomplished ~ithout
requiring any repair work by re~oving pertinent unit floor
boards 6 from the upper ~urfaces of the supporting joists 1 to
expose the continued spaces 4 and then redistributin~ the cables
C by again utilizin~ the continued spaces 40
While in this embodiment each of the supportlng jois-ts 1 of
the unit member 3 is a long rectangular piece havin~ the through
parts 5 inserted in the lateral sides thereof and also having the
holes 7, this is by no means limitative. OptionallY, each of the
supporting ioists 1 may comprise a pluralitY of short pieces la
provided with holes 7 and spaced at fixed intervals. In this
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case, cables C can also be distributed and branched in the
longitudinal and lateral directions as illustrated in Figure ~.
The embodiment has been also described as causing the uni-t
members 3 to be laid out on the surface of the concrete floor 13.
Optionally, this èmbodiment maY be modified to produce a
resilient floor structure bY causing shoc~-absorbing means 15
such as springs or rubber members to underlay the supporting
joists 1 o~ the unit members 3. Even in this modification, it is
per~issible to have a dewproofing sheet 14a interposed between
the surface of the concrete floor 13 and the shock-absorbing
means 15 and another dewproofing sheet 14b interposed similarl~
on the upper side of the bottom plates 2.
Furthermore, the embodiment has been described as having the
thermal medium-circulating pipes 11 for ~loor warming distributed
throu~h the heat-transfer plates 9. This particular setup is not
critical to this invention. Op-tionally, pipes of the sorts
suitable for connection to facilities for supply and discharge of
water and facilities for fire prevention maY be distributed in
the floor structure of this embodiment.
In accordance with the readiustable floor system
contemplated by the present invention, desired lines for
distribution of cables and pipes are formed by covering the floor
surface with the dewproofing sheet and laying the unit members
continuously end to end and side by side on the dewproofin~ sheet,
thereby allowin~ the spaces defined for distribution o~ cables
and pipes inside the individual unit members -to continue into one
another. Thereafter, the cables and pipes freely distribu-ted
along the aforementioned lines can be completely concealed by
mounting the unit floor boards sequentially and continuously on
the pairs of floor member-supportin~ ioists.
Particularly in the distribution of cables, the spaces are
partitioned with antistatic sheets so that high-voltage cables
and low-voltage cables may be separately dis-tributed through the
antistatic sheets. Thus, noise which is possibly generated ~here
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high-vol-tage cables and lo~-voltage cables are distrîbuted
closely together can be precluded infalllibly.
Where expansion or relocation of the existing office-
automating machines and tools necessitates redistribution of the
existing cables, the floor structure of the present embodiment
can flexibly cope with the redistribution. Thus, the floor
system contemplated by the present invention is highly e-ffective
in furnishing an intelligent building wi-th an updated floor.
In accordance with this invention, the floor structure can
incorporate therein a floor-warming mechanism by vertically
partitioning the spaces for the distribution of cables and pipes
with the combination antistatic and heat-transfer sheets and
distributing the thermal medium-circulating pipes in the groove-
shaped receptacles formed in the heat-transfer sheets by makin~
effective use of the continued spaces. Also from this point of
view, this invention enjoys very high economic utility.
Moreover, since the dewproofing sheet is interposed bvetween
the bottom plates of the unit members and the floor surface9 the
formation of dew ascribable to the tempera-ture difference ~hich
is inherent in floor warmin~ can be effectively precluded.
