Multi-panel activity floor with fixed hinge connections
US5987839A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32131
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A portable activity floor comprised of a plurality of separate panels that can be readily and selectively interlocked together into a finalized configuration. Each panel has an underlayment providing a core with spaced stringers fastened to the underside thereof. Elongated finishing strips mounted on the upper surface of the underlayment form the outer surface of the panel. In one type of floor assembly, alternate strips are longer than their adjacent strips at the inner side of each panel to form laterally spaced interlock fingers. A pair of hinge members pivotally connects adjacent panels to one another and allows them to be relatively pivoted on a fixed axis with finger interlock alignment accuracy from an initial connected position to a fully assembled position in which the fingers of the finishing strips closely mesh and interlock. Further, the hinge members when connected prevent lateral movement of adjacent panels. This allows the hinge assembly to be used with many types of floors, such as in addition to floors with interlock fingers, square edge floors, square end floors and parquet floors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.