Abstract:
The current invention is a device to allow for storage of household goods and articles in an unfinished attic with additional insulation place above the top surface of the joists. The platform device of this application will not interfere with additional insulation and will allow additional storage space without the need for expensive building materials and/or support structure to preserve the integrity of the additional insulation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims a priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61,196,330 entitled “Attic Storage System”, and filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 17, 2008 by a common Inventor to this instant application, Janice Lanza-Brache. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates to methods and apparatus for creating storage systems and storage space. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    With the cost of energy skyrocketing, it has been stated that the best and most cost effective way a homeowner can save on heating and cooling is to apply a second layer of insulation in the attic of their house. Most houses come with attics that are unfinished, having no flooring or plywood between the between the joists. The attic in most homes will have a blanket of fiberglass insulation between the joists which will typically represent an R value of 19 or greater. 
         [0006]    A secondary problem with modern times is a limited amount of storage space in the home as living space (eg, large rooms) in much more desirable than closest or storage areas. Therefore most homeowners turn to their attic or area over a garage to store the plethora of goods and items one accumulates over many years. 
         [0007]    In an unfinished attic, a common practice is to place a piece of plywood over the joists to provide a surface for storing boxes and bins of clothing, children&#39;s toys and similar items. If the homeowner is to add an additional layer of insulation above the top of the attic floor joists, the storage space is quickly lost. Pieces of lumber can be sistered or stacked to the existing attic joists to provide the additional height where the insulation will be placed and then the plywood placed on top of this new lumber. The problems are many, but in particular the cost of purchasing the lumber and the work involved in installing the joist extensions just for the ability to keep the storage area. Without the extensions, the whole attic may be more energy efficient, but all that storage space is now lost. 
         [0008]    Thus there is a need for a raised attic storage system. 
         [0009]    The attic storage system has many benefits such as increasing the useful space of one&#39;s home by a significant amount. 
         [0010]    Such an apparatus or convenience is heretofore unknown to the inventors. In general this apparatus has the potential for creating ‘greener’ homes, lowering energy costs of residential populations, saving money through home storage as opposed to commercial space improving the quality of life for all home owners with attic space. It expands the usefulness and convenience of one&#39;s residence. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The current invention allows the homeowner to place an additional layer of R19, R30 or R38 blanket fiberglass insulation into an unfinished attic or above a garage and still keep the storage space intact. The system works because it is the same height and width as the insulation blanket and fits precisely between the joists for support without compressing and minimum deforming the insulation. Any compression or deformation of the fiberglass blanket insulation would diminish its function and R value. 
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0012]    The primary purpose of this invention is to recapture and utilize lost attic space in residential homes where the attic is unfinished, having exposed floor joists which are unsuitable for walking upon or the storage of personal items. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of our invention are: 
         [0014]    (a) to provide an attic storage system which is simple enough for homeowner installation; 
         [0015]    (b) to provide an attic storage system which makes the entire home more energy efficient, including reducing heating and cooling costs; 
         [0016]    (c) to provide an attic storage system which provides a safe and walkable floor without compromising the original attic insulation; 
         [0017]    (d) to provide an attic storage system which is modular and easily extendable in any direction or space; and 
         [0018]    (e) to provide an attic storage system which makes efficient use of the attic space through a modular and extendible storage system. 
         [0019]    Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is an elevated exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an elevated exploded perspective view of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an elevated exploded perspective view of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a detailed elevated exploded perspective end view of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4B  is a detailed elevated exploded perspective view of the invention in  FIG. 1  including an add on shelving extension; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4C  is a detailed elevated perspective view of the invention in  FIG. 1  showing multiple orientations of flooring sections; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an elevated perspective side view of a leg component of the invention in 
           [0027]      FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is an elevated perspective side view of a pair of leg components of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6B  is a side elevation view of a quad-vertical leg component of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6C  is a top plan view of a quad-vertical leg component of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6D  is a bottom plan view of a quad-vertical leg component of the invention in 
           [0032]      FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is an elevated perspective side view of a second leg component of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective side view of a second leg component of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is an elevated perspective side view of a third leg component of the invention in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 14A-14D  are views of the modular frame assembly of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 15A-15E  are views of a modular component of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 16A-16D  are views of mated modular components of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0043]      FIGS. 17A-17E , and FIGS.  17 AA- 17 EE are views of the frame assembly modular components of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0044]      FIGS. 18A-18C  are views of a wood slat option of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 19A-19C  are views of a molded slat option of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 20A-20C  are views of an extruded slat option of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0047]      FIGS. 21A-21C  are views of an extruded slat with web option of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0048]      FIGS. 22A-22B  are views of a fabric webbing and slat assembly option of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0049]      FIGS. 23A-23G  are views of details for the frame of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0050]      FIGS. 24A-24E  are views of details for the bridge of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0051]      FIGS. 25A-25D  are views of details for the cross brace of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0052]      FIGS. 26A-26F  are views of details for the extruded slat assembly of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0053]      FIGS. 27A-27F  are views of details for the molded slat assembly of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0054]      FIGS. 28A-28F  are views of details for the wood slat assembly of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 29  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a flooring/shelving section; 
           [0056]      FIG. 30  is a perspective side view of an alternative clamping mechanism for attaching the system to floor joists; and 
           [0057]      FIG. 31A-C  are views of an alternative embodiment for a cross brace. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an elevated perspective view of the first embodiment  20  of the invention is shown. A series of exposed parallel floor joists  5  are shown as they would be found in many unfinished residential attics. These floor joists  5  may be found in different sizes depending upon structural requirements. However almost all of the floor joists  5  installed in these unfinished attics will be of the “2 by” dimension, such as ‘2×4’, ‘2×6’, 2×8, 2×10, and on occasion ‘2×12’. These are rough lumber dimensions in inches. The joists are usually positioned in parallel on 16″ or 24″ centers, known as 16OC or 24OC. This is the distance between the center of one joist  5  measured to the center of an adjacent floor joist  5 . Insulation batts are manufactured to fit into the spaces between these joists  5  so as to insulate the living space below. The insulation is manufactured in different thicknesses as is know in the art. The insulation is characterized by an “R-XX” value whereby the higher the ‘XX’ number, the greater the insulating factor. In  FIG. 1 , this insulation is not shown, so that one may see the detail of the joists  5 . 
         [0059]    A homeowner who wishes to make better use of the unused space in his attic will install the attic storage system  20  in the following manner. First he carefully measures and marks locations on the joists  5  to install the base vertical legs  2 . The legs  2  must be carefully positioned so that they will properly align to receive the modular flooring sections  14  from above. The legs  2  may be nailed or screwed into the floor joists  5 . The legs  2  have multiple pre-drilled through holes for receiving the nails or screws which facilitates an easier and faster installation. 
         [0060]    Vertical leg pairs  16  may be secured together with a conventional bolt  11  and nut  12  using a pair of pre-drilled through holes. Variations on the vertical legs  2  are discussed below such that a single vertical leg with a U-slot to fit over the floor joist  5  speeds the installation. 
         [0061]    Once all the vertical legs  2  have been installed, additional batts of insulation  4  are installed in a perpendicular direction to the attic joists  5 . This is done so that the insulations seams  7  are not aligned with the seams of the joists  5  and insulation below (not shown). This is a known practice that makes for a higher R-value between the unheated attic and the living space below. 
         [0062]    Once the new insulation  4  is in place the flooring sections  14  may be installed. Each flooring section  14  has pre-drilled the holes  18  to receive a preformed post  6  that extends from the top of the vertical leg  2 . The posts  6  and pre-drilled holes  18  are manufactured so that a friction fit secures the assembly. Now the homeowner has both increased in the insulation value in his attic and created a smooth load bearing surface which can be used for storage. Further the smooth surface makes it easy for the homeowner to walk about his attic without fear of stepping through the ceiling below. 
         [0063]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of a single flooring section  14  is shown. This flooring section  14  will have adjacent flooring sections  14  around it as can be anticipated by the pairs  16  of vertical legs  2  shown attached to the flooring joists  5 . It should be noted that the pairs  16  of vertical legs  2  shown will support an expansion of the flooring system in the directions X and Y. To support an expansion of the flooring system in directions W and Z, another pair  16  of vertical legs  2  must be installed. Another method for supporting the intersection of four corners of four flooring sections  14  is by using a single vertical leg designed with four supporting posts. This support leg  2  will be discussed below. 
         [0064]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , a similar installation as shown in  FIG. 2  is shown. It should be noted that the flooring section  14  accommodates three adjacent batts  4  of insulation. Most insulation comes in standard dimensions such as 16″ or 24″ wide and therefore a modular flooring sections  14  can be designed to accommodate single, double, or triple widths. Thus standard flooring sections  14  would be dimensioned in 32″ or 48″ lengths. 
         [0065]    Similarly the insulation batts  4  (or rolls) come in standard thicknesses such as 3″, 6″, and 9″. The vertical legs  2  are available in varying lengths depending upon how much vertical space the homeowner requires below the modular flooring sections  14  to accommodate the insulation  4 . 
         [0066]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , an exploded end view of the invention  20  is shown. Once again expansion of the flooring system in the direction Z will require additional vertical legs  2  to be installed adjacent to the vertical legs  2  currently shown. 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIG. 4B , a shelving extension assembly  26  is shown. An additional flooring/shelving section  14 A is supported by multiple extension legs  10 . The bottom post  9  is mounted into the floor holes  18  in the flooring section  14  below. The top post  6  is inserted in the floor holes  18  in the shelving section  14 A. Thus multiple shelving levels may be created above each flooring section  14 . 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 4C , an installation of flooring panels  1  is shown. It should be noted that the flooring panels  14  in this figure are installed perpendicular to each other. In this particular figure the flooring system is designed on 16″ centers and therefore the flooring holes  18  align with the base vertical legs  2  in either direction. 
         [0069]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , a single vertical leg  2  is shown. On the lower end of the leg a notch  3  has been cut away so that the leg  2  will mate with the top and side edge of a floor joist  5 . On the top end of the vertical leg  2  a post  6  has been formed so as to securely receive the post hole  18  in the flooring section  14 . A series of through holes  8 ,  13  have been manufactured into the vertical leg  2 . Referring to the XYZ coordinate axes shown, certain through holes  8  are aligned in the Y direction, while other through holes  13  are aligned in the X direction. Note that the Y-aligned holes are staggered with the X-aligned holes so that they do not intersect. Further the holes on each leg  2  are always located in the same relative position so that when legs  2  are joined together in pairs, the respective through holes  8 ,  13  align with each other to form one continuous through hole. 
         [0070]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , a pair  16  of vertical legs  2  is shown. The legs  2  are rotated so that their notches  3  align and form a slot  15  to receive a floor joist  5 . Note that the Y-aligned through holes  8  on the right side vertical leg  2  of the pair  16  aligns with the similarly Y-aligned through holes on the left side vertical leg  2  of the pair  16 . Thus the pair  16  of vertical legs  2  may be secured with a bolt and nut combination through the aforementioned aligned holes  8 . 
         [0071]    Now are referring to  FIG. 6B , a quad-vertical leg  22  is shown. This leg  22  is designed to sit on an attic floor joist  5  and receive a corner of each of four flooring sections  14 . A notch  24  is cut into the base of the quad-vertical leg  22  to accommodate the standard width of a floor joist  5 . All of the lumber dimensions mentioned above were ‘2×’ dimensions. It is well known in the trade that this translates to an actual width of 1.5 inches. Also in the base of the quad-vertical leg  22  are through holes  8  so as to attach the leg  22  securely to the joist  5 . Some manufacturing costs are saved as there is no need to manufacture through holes  8 ,  13  in the upper portion of the quad-vertical leg  22 . 
         [0072]    Now referring to  FIG. 6C , a top plan view of the quad-vertical leg  22  is shown. Four posts  6  are positioned so that each will receive one corner of each of four adjacent flooring sections  14 . 
         [0073]    Now referring to  FIG. 6D , a bottom plan view of the quad-vertical leg  22  is shown. A notch  24  has been cut to receive a floor joist  5  and a series of through holes  8  have been drilled in the lower portion of the leg  22  so that through bolts  11  and nuts  12  may secure the leg  22  to the joist  5 . 
         [0074]    Now referring to  FIG. 7 , a vertical leg  2  with a double notch  3 ,  3 A is shown. This leg is similar to the vertical legs  2  shown in  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6  with the exception of an additional notch  3 A cut into the lower portion of the vertical leg  2 . This double notch  3 ,  3 A will accommodate locations where two floor joists  5  have come together to form a perpendicular joint. Such perpendicular joints can occur anywhere in a flooring system due to framing requirements to accommodate chimneys, ventilation shafts, stairwells and the like. 
         [0075]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , a bottom perspective view of a vertical leg  2  with a double notch  3 ,  3 A is shown. 
         [0076]    Now referring to  FIG. 9 , an upper vertical leg  10  is shown. This vertical leg  10  has both an upper post  6  and a lower post  9  so that it may be used to create a second level of modular shelving extending above the base modular floor. (We shall call the first level of modular flooring which is applied directly to the attic joists  5  our ‘base modular floor’. We shall call additional levels extending upward from the base modular floor our ‘shelving’) The upper vertical leg  10  will be inserted into the through holes  18  in the flooring section  14  after the first level has been assembled. Through this method several additional levels of modular shelving may be created on top of the base modular floor. Although not shown, it is well known that cross bracing in both the X and Y directions must be applied to additional levels of shelving to prevent rotational collapse. 
         [0077]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a second embodiment  50  of the invention is shown. A raised modular flooring and shelving system  50  is erected on top of existing attic joists  5  and the original insulation  19  installed there between. A homeowner desirous of increasing the insulation value in his attic space and making use of the remaining space for storage installs this second embodiment  50  in a similar manner as the first embodiment  20 . 
         [0078]    First the framing structure to support the base modular floor  52  is installed. Vertical legs  54  are positioned on the attic joists  5  in the appropriate locations. Cross braces  56  and side beams  58  are then installed to interconnect the vertical legs  54 . This completes the framework for the base modular floor  52 . Additional insulation batts  4  are then deployed perpendicular to the attic floor joists  5  as described above to create an additional thermal layer. A flooring system is now ready to be installed into the framework. The flooring system may be modular panels  14  as described above or a slat system  60  as shown. 
         [0079]    After the base modular floor  52  is complete, further levels may be created through an extension system. Vertical extension legs  62  are installed using a telescopic joint (discussed below) on top of the base vertical legs  54 . Once the vertical extension legs  62  are installed, they are similarly interconnected by cross braces  56  and side beams  58 . This extension level framework is now ready to receive shelving panels which may be modular floor panels  14  sized to fit into the framework or a slat system  60 . 
         [0080]    Additional shelving levels may be added in a similar manner as described above. A homeowner may now enter into his previously unusable attic space and walk about safely and comfortably on the base modular floor  52 . He may store or retrieve boxes, containers, or other items from the flooring surface  52  or shelving surfaces  60 . Thus a completely unusable space has been converted into a useful storage area. Energy costs for both heating and cooling will now be lower due to the added insulation. 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a second embodiment of the raised attic storage system  50  is shown. In this configuration the additional insulation batts  4  have been installed in parallel with the attic joists  5 . There may be installation restrictions on occasion that require this insulation  4  to be installed in this manner. It is important to note however that the seams  7  do not all align exactly with the underlying layer of insulation  19  and joists  5 . This will assist in creating an insulation barrier that resists the leakage of air or thermal energy. 
         [0082]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a second embodiment of the raised attic storage system  50  is shown. In this figure the installation batts  4  are installed parallel to the floor joists  5 . As stated previously, the floor joists  5  maybe on 16″ or 24″ centers. Therefore a modular flooring system is available in both standard dimensions so that it will easily install on either set of floor joists  5 . 
         [0083]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a second embodiment of the raised attic storage system  50  is shown. In this configuration the insulation batts  4  are installed perpendicular to the attic joists  5 . It is important to note that the flooring system is dimensioned to accommodate multiples of the standard width dimension of attic insulation. In this figure the distance L of the frame assembly is dimensioned to accommodate three standard batts of 16″ widths. Thus the dimension L must be 48 inches. Two rolls of standard 24″ width insulation would also fit neatly under this framing system. 
         [0084]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14A-D , the essential framework for the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 10-13  is described. In  FIG. 14A  a framework assembly  70  has a set of vertical base legs  54  which support side beams  58  that carry the flooring and shelving sections  60 . Cross braces  56  are connected between each set of vertical legs  54  and upper extension legs  55  to provide structural stability for the framework assembly. The upper end of both the base vertical legs  54  and the upper extension legs  55  are reduced in their outside dimension so as to receive the lower portion of the extension leg  55  in a telescoping manner. This modular stacking ability provides for multiple levels of shelving. The extension legs  55  are provided in various dimensions such as 12″, 16″, and 24″ to provide for several different shelving heights. 
         [0085]    At the base of each vertical leg  54  is a foot  64  for sitting upon and securely attaching to an attic floor joist  5 . The foot  64  may have multiple holes for receiving nails or screws so as to attach the foot  64  securely to the attic joist  5 . Small triangular shaped spikes may also be punched into the foot  64  extending from the bottom surface of the foot  64  so that upon installation the spikes are driven into the joist  5  easily and quickly by tapping the foot onto the joist  5 . 
         [0086]    Another method for attaching the feet  64  securely and quickly to the attic joist  5  would be the use of construction grade adhesive in combination with or without the aforementioned spikes. The adhesive would be applied to the appropriate locations on the attic joists  5  or directly to the bottom of the foot  64 . The feet  64  then placed in their positions. The adhesive takes a certain amount of time to set up and this would allow the installer some time to make adjustments in the placement of the framework. If spikes are used with the adhesive, the feet  64  would be tapped into place after the frame was assembled. Shortly thereafter, the feet  64  would be firmly attached to the joist as the adhesive dried. 
         [0087]    Referring now to  FIG. 14  B, a top plan view of the framing assembly in  FIG. 14A  is shown. Each of the flooring and shelving sections  60 , are supported by a series of side beams  58 . 
         [0088]    Referring now to  FIG. 14C , a side elevation view of the framing assembly in  FIG. 14A  is shown. The upper legs  55  are supported by the lower legs  54 . All of the structural load being supported on the shelving levels is transmitted directly to the upper legs  55  by the side beams  58 . The load is then directly transferred to the attic joists  5  through the lower vertical legs  54  and feet  64 . 
         [0089]    Referring now to  FIG. 14D , an end elevation view of the framing assembly in  FIG. 14A  is shown. Cross braces  56  are installed between each pair of vertical legs  54 ,  55  so as to give structural stability to the framework. The side beams  58  shown in  FIGS. 14A-D , may be vertically dimensioned so as to provide structural stability to the framework in a horizontal direction perpendicular to that of the stability provided by the cross braces  56 . Both of these structural components  56 ,  58  are critical to keep the structure from collapsing due to horizontal forces. 
         [0090]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15A-E , several feet  64  and side beam  58  options are shown. In  FIGS. 15A-E  the side beam  58  is shown with or without a horizontal protrusion  68  for linking an adjacent flooring or shelving section  60 . In  FIG. 15A , a horizontal protrusion  68  extends from only the left side of the framework assembly. In  FIG. 15B , horizontal protrusions  68  extend from both sides of the framework assembly. These protrusions  68  can be readily seen in  FIGS. 15C-D . In  FIG. 15E , no protrusions are shown as this section is being assembled as a stand alone unit. 
         [0091]    As discussed above in this particular embodiment the vertical legs  54  have integral feet  64  while the extension legs  55  do not. Another modular embodiment is described below. 
         [0092]    Referring now to  FIGS. 16A-D , a mechanism for linking modular framework assemblies end to end is shown. A small button protrusion  72  is manufactured on one side of the vertical legs  54 ,  55  while a receiving key slot  74  is manufactured on an opposite side of the vertical legs  54 ,  55 . The key slot  74  is mated with the button  72  as is well known in the art. Multiple buttons  72  may be mated with multiple key slots  74  at one time. This provides for a very secure and stable horizontal mechanical linkage between two adjoining framework assemblies. 
         [0093]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17A-E  and FIGS.  17 AA-EE, the framing assembly is shown.  FIGS. 17A , AA show an extension leg  62  with telescopic means. Leg inserts  76  may be used to couple the extension legs  62  in a stacking manner. 
         [0094]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17B , BB, a one-sided foot  78  is shown. This foot  78  only has curvature on one side of the foot  78  for use in mating with a single edge platform. 
         [0095]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17C , CC, a flat foot  80  is shown. This foot  80  is adaptable for use on a flat surface. 
         [0096]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17D , DD, a two sided foot  64  is shown. This foot  64  is adaptable for use on attic joists  5  as previously described. 
         [0097]    Referring now to FIGS.  17 E,EE, a tall two-sided foot  82  is shown. This foot  82  is adaptable for use on any joist  5  where additional stability and attachment loading is desired. 
         [0098]    It should also be noted that the one-sided foot  78  shown in  FIGS. 17B , BB may also be manufactured in a “tall” version similar to the two-sided tall foot  82  shown in  FIGS. 17E , EE which will provide similar improvements in attachment capability and structural stability. 
         [0099]    All of the feet  78 ,  80 ,  64 , &amp;  82  shown in  FIGS. 17B-E ,  17 BB-EE are manufactured with a stubby rectangular post (not shown) extending upward from the foot  78 ,  80 ,  64  &amp;  82  in a vertical manner. The rectangular post is mated with the hollow rectangular bottom of each leg  62  in  FIG. 17A  to form the base legs  54  shown in  FIGS. 10-21 . This allows for the base legs  54  and side beam  58  to be fabricated as a single ‘H’ beam as shown in  FIGS. 23A-G  and further discussed below. 
         [0100]    Referring now to  FIGS. 18A-C , a flooring or shelving section  60  is shown. This flooring section  60  is comprised of individual wood slats  84  which are designed to be modular in nature and can be placed individually onto the side beams  58 . Thus once the framework assembly  70  has been put in place, the wood slats  84  may be snapped onto the side beams  58  with simple fasteners to create the flooring or shelving section  60 . 
         [0101]    Referring now to  FIGS. 19A-C , a flooring or shelving section  60  is shown. This flooring section  60  is comprised of individual molded slats  86  which are designed to be modular in nature and can be placed individually onto the side beams  58 . Thus once the framework assembly  70  has been put in place, the molded slats  86  may be snapped onto the side beams  58  with simple fasteners to create the flooring or shelving section  60 . 
         [0102]    Referring now to  FIGS. 20A-C , a flooring or shelving section  60  is shown. This flooring section  60  is comprised of individual extruded slats  88  which are designed to be modular in nature and can be placed individually onto the side beams  58 . Thus once the framework assembly  70  has been put in place, the extruded slats  88  may be snapped onto the side beams  58  with simple fasteners to create the flooring or shelving section  60 . 
         [0103]    Referring now to  FIGS. 21A-C , a flooring or shelving section  60  is shown. This flooring section  60  is comprised of individual extruded slats with web  90  which are designed to be modular in nature and can be placed as a flooring/shelving unit onto the side beams  58  all at one time. Thus once the framework assembly  70  has been put in place, the extruded slats with web  90  are laid onto the side beams  58  and secured simple fasteners to create the flooring or shelving section  60 . 
         [0104]    Referring now to  FIGS. 22A&amp;B , a fabric webbing slat assembly  90  is shown. The extruded slats  88  are assembled onto a vinyl, fabric, or plastic strip  92  by means of a web connector  94  and washer  96  combination. 
         [0105]    Referring now to  FIGS. 23A-G , details of the assembly framework are shown. The specific locations on the vertical legs  54 ,  55  where the buttons  72  and key slots  74  are located is detailed with dimensional information. Also it should be noted that the ‘H’frame  42  may be a single unit which when mated with the half bridge  102  or full bridge  104  shown in  FIGS. 24A-E  form a structure that is a pair of vertical legs  54 ,  55  and the side beam  58  as well. In this manner the ‘H’ frame becomes a modular component usable for both the first flooring level and any subsequent shelving levels which are added on. The ‘H’ frame  42  may receive any of the feet shown in  FIGS. 17A-E  to form the base legs  54  required to support the raised flooring panels  14 . 
         [0106]    Referring now to  FIGS. 24A-E , details of the side beam  58  construction are shown. The side beam  58  is available in both a half bridge  102  and full bridge  104  configurations depending upon whether or not its purpose is to link to one or two additional frames. In either the half bridge  102  or the full bridge  104  configuration, punched holes  59  are manufactured in the horizontal extension  106  to securely receive any of the a foregoing mentioned flooring or shelving systems. 
         [0107]    Referring now to  FIGS. 25A-D , details of the cross brace  56  are shown. Multiple key slots  74  are punched into the cross brace  56  so as to securely fasten the cross brace  56  to the buttons  72  on the vertical legs  54 ,  55  of the framework assembly. Strengthening ridges  108  are also formed horizontally in the cross brace  56  to provide structural resistance to any twisting motion or vibrations. 
         [0108]    Referring now to  FIGS. 26A-F , details of the extruded slats  88  assembly are shown. As seen in  FIGS. 26C&amp;D  a channel  110  is formed in the lower surface of the slat  88 . This channel  110  is designed to slidably receive and capture a plastic barb  112  having two prongs  114  protruding from the bottom of this slat  88 . This extruded slat assembly  88  is now ready to be installed any flooring section by snapping each end of the slat  88  into the punched holes  59  in the side beams  58 . 
         [0109]    Referring now to  FIGS. 27A-F , a molded slat  86  is shown. The slat  86  is formed with a singular prong  114  on each end of the slat  88 . This molded slat  86  is now ready to be installed any flooring section by snapping each end of the slat  86  into the punched holes  59  in the side beams  58 . 
         [0110]    Referring now to  FIGS. 28A-F , a wood slat  84  is shown. A plastic barb  112  having two prongs  114  is screwed to each end of the wooden slat  84 . This wood slat  84  is now ready to be installed any flooring section by snapping each end of the slat  84  into the punched holes  59  in the side beams  58 . 
         [0111]    Referring now to  FIG. 29 , a flooring section  14  is shown. In this embodiment the flooring/shelving panel  14  is a singular unit a fabricated from a wood, plastic or metal frame  27  and having a synthetic or natural fiber web  28  spanning the panel  14 . 
         [0112]    Referring now to  FIG. 30 , an alternative clamping mechanism  30  is shown. The clamp  30  has two jaws  32 ,  34  which are compressed by a bolt  36  and wing nut  38  coupling. This clamp  30  is designed to receive a vertical leg  2  from any of the embodiments contained in this invention. 
         [0113]    Referring now to  FIGS. 31A-C , an alternative cross brace  56 ′ is shown. Although similar to the cross brace  56  shown in  FIGS. 25A-D , an important difference should be noted. The dimension h in  FIG. 25  it is significantly taller then the dimension h′ in  FIG. 31A . This reduced height h′ allows the frame in  FIGS. 23A-G  to be manufactured with a lower overall height. That is, the dimension shown in  FIG. 23F  of 19 inches maybe reduced by approximately 3″-4″. This lowers the overall height of the floor panels  14  from the attic joists  5  and increases the stability of the overall flooring system  20 . 
         [0114]    While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, various modifications will be apparent to and might readily be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the description as set forth herein, but, rather, that the claims be broadly construed.