Patent ID: 6519902
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: E04F

Abstract:
A heavy-duty floor panel for use in an elevated floor system, said floor panel comprising:a top, bottom and plurality of sides defining an outer perimeter of said floor panel; a plurality of reinforcing structures extending from said bottom and arranged in a pattern to optimize the strength-to-weight ratio of the panel, said reinforcing structures including: a first series of reinforcing structures having a first, substantially constant height and being disposed adjacent to the outer perimeter of said floor panel, said first reinforcing structures having a thickness that varies along their length; a second series of reinforcing structures having a second, substantially constant height different from said first height and being disposed inwardly from said first series of reinforcing structures, said second reinforcing structures having a thickness that varies along their length; a third series of reinforcing structures having a third height substantially equal to said second height and being spaced inwardly from said second series of reinforcing structures; a fourth series of reinforcing structures extending across said floor panel and between at least two of said second series of reinforcing structures, said fourth series of reinforcing structures having a height that varies along their length, at least one of said fourth series of reinforcing structures having a curved portion connected to at least one of said second series of reinforcing structures to reduce stress concentrations; and a fifth series of reinforcing structures having varying height and extending between and connecting said first and second series of reinforcing structures, wherein said fifth series of reinforcing structures include curved portions connected to at least one of first and second reinforcing structures to reduce stress concentrations, and wherein the height of said fifth series of reinforcing structures varies from a maximum proximate said second series of reinforcing structures and a minimum proximate said first series of reinforcing structures to define a ledge configured to rest upon a stringer.