Abstract:
The present invention provides a modular flooring system including a ramp to facilitate entry and exit from the flooring system. The ramp may be modular and interconnect with all or parts of a perimeter of the flooring system, and the ramp may also interconnect with adjacent ramp members.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to floor tiles, and more particularly to modular floor systems with a transition edge.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Floor tiles have traditionally been used for many different purposes, including both aesthetic and utilitarian purposes. For example, floor tiles of a particular color may be used to accentuate an object displayed on top of the tiles. Alternatively, floor tiles may be used to simply protect the surface beneath the tiles from various forms of damage. Floor tiles typically comprise individual panels that are placed on the ground either permanently or temporarily depending on the application. A permanent application may involve adhering the tiles to the floor in some way, whereas a temporary application would simply involve setting the tiles on the floor. Some floor tiles can be interconnected to one another to cover large floor areas such as a garage, an office, or a show floor.  
         [0003]     Various interconnection systems have been utilized to connect floor tiles horizontally with one another to maintain structural integrity and provide a desirable, unified appearance. In addition, floor tiles can be manufactured in many shapes, colors, and patterns. Some floor tiles contain holes such that fluid and small debris is able to pass through the floor tiles and onto a surface below. Tiles can also be equipped with special surface patterns or structures to provide various superficial or useful characteristics. For example, a diamond steel pattern may be used to provide increased surface traction on the tiles and to provide a desirable aesthetic appearance.  
         [0004]     One method of making plastic floor tiles utilizes an injection molding process. Injection molding involves injecting heated liquid plastic into a mold. The mold is shaped to provide an enclosed space to form the desired shaped floor tile. The liquid plastic is allowed to cool and solidify, and the plastic floor tile is removed from the mold.  
         [0005]     The perimeter of typical floor tiles generally comprises an abrupt step or edge. The size of the step is usually equal to the thickness of the floor tile. The thickness of typical floor tiles is generally ¼-¾ of an inch. For many purposes, however, the abrupt step presents a number of problems. For example, a step of ¼ to ¾ of an inch is enough to cause tripping. In addition, it can be difficult to move objects on rollers across the step and onto the floor tiles.  
         [0006]     The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effect of, one or more of the problems presented above.  
       SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one of many possible embodiments, the present invention provides a modular floor edge system. The modular floor edge system comprises a first ramp, the first ramp comprising a leading edge, a major axis and a minor axis, and a substantially vertical back substantially parallel to the major axis. The substantially vertical back comprises a plurality of connecting members removably attachable to a modular floor tile. The first ramp may include a tapered surface, an open webbed structure supporting the tapered surface, and the ramp may be made of plastic. According to some embodiments, the leading edge may comprise a substantially straight portion and a rounded corner. The ramp may include a substantially vertical side surface adjacent to and perpendicular with the substantially vertical back, the side surface comprising a connecting member attachable to another ramp. The plurality of connecting members may include male tabs comprising a generally vertical component and generally horizontal component. The substantially vertical back may also include a female connecting member at one end that is connectable to another ramp. The plurality of connecting members may each comprise a semi-circular tab protruding laterally from the substantially vertical back, such that a curved portion of the semi-circular tab faces a floor. The modular floor edge system may include a second ramp removably attached longitudinally to the first ramp at an interface substantially parallel with the minor axis. The modular floor edge system may also include a second ramp having a major axis and minor axis, the second ramp removably attached perpendicularly to the first ramp at an interface substantially parallel to the minor axis of the first ramp and substantially parallel to the major axis of the second ramp.  
         [0008]     Another embodiment of the present invention provides a modular flooring system. The modular floor system comprises a first modular floor panel having a top surface and a plurality of lateral edge connecting members, and a first modular ramp comprising a plurality of connecting members removably attached to one lateral edge of the first modular floor panel. The first modular ramp comprises a tapered surface extending from a leading edge adjacent to a floor to a trailing edge substantially flush with the top surface. The flooring system may comprise a plurality of modular floor panels removably connected with the first modular floor panel to create a polygonal shape having a perimeter. A plurality of modular ramps may be attached to one another and extend around or partially around the perimeter of the polygonal shape. The first modular ramp may comprise an angle ranging between approximately 20-60 degrees with respect to a floor or other support surface. According to some embodiments, the first modular ramp further comprises a top tapered surface and an open webbed structure supporting the top tapered surface. The first modular ramp may comprise injection molded plastic.  
         [0009]     Another aspect of the invention provides a method of making a modular flooring edge. The method may include providing an injection mold and injection molding a modular ramp comprising a back having one or more connecting members attachable to a modular floor tile. The method may further include injection molding a side having one or more connecting members attachable to another modular ramp. The injection molding of the modular ramp may include creating an upper ramp surface and a lower webbed support structure. The injection molding of the modular ramp may further include creating a leading edge for placement adjacent to a floor, the leading edge comprising a generally straight portion and a rounded corner portion.  
         [0010]     Another aspect of the invention provides a method of building a modular floor. The method may include providing a plurality of modular floor panels of generally rectangular shape comprising lateral edge connectors, and providing a plurality of modular ramps comprising back and side connectors. The method may further include connecting the plurality of modular floor panels to one another via the lateral edge connectors to form a polygonal shape, and connecting the plurality of modular ramps to the modular floor panels around a perimeter of the polygonal shape. Each of the plurality of modular ramps may also be connected to an adjacent one of the plurality of modular ramps.  
         [0011]     The foregoing features and advantages, together with other features and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent when referred to the following specification, claims and accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a top perspective view of a modular floor edge ramp according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom perspective view of the modular floor edge ramp of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 1C  is a top perspective view of a modular floor edge ramp without a rounded corner according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of two modular floor edge ramps being attached to a modular floor panel according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom perspective view of two modular floor edge ramps being attached to a modular floor panel according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a detailed inset of a corner of the modular floor panel shown in  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of the two modular floor edge ramps attached to the modular floor panel according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of two interconnected modular floor tiles according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a partial perspective view of a plurality of interconnected modular floor tiles with modular edge ramps attached to and extending around a perimeter of the modular floor tiles according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of a portion of the tiles and ramps shown in  FIG. 5A .  
     
    
       [0023]     Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     As mentioned above, modular flooring typically includes a top surface that sets above a support surface or floor. It is often difficult to move certain objects onto and off of the top surface of the modular flooring as a result of the step between the floor and the top surface. The sharp step around the perimeter of the modular floor can also result in tripping or other safety concerns. The present invention describes methods and apparatus that provide an edge around at least a portion of a modular floor perimeter. Consequently, ingress and egress to the modular floor is simplified and safer than prior flooring systems. While the edge and flooring systems shown and described below include embodiments, the application of principles described herein to are not limited to the specific devices shown. The principles described herein may be used with any flooring system. Therefore, while the description below is directed primarily to interlocking plastic modular floors, the methods and apparatus are only limited by the appended claims.  
         [0025]     As used throughout the claims and specification the term “rectangle” or “rectangular” refers to a four-sided object with four right angles. “Modular” means designed with regular or standardized units or dimensions, as to provide multiple components for assembly of flexible arrangements and uses. The words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, including the claims, have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” 
         [0026]     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1A-1B , one component of a modular floor edge system according to principles of the present invention is shown.  FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrates a ramp, for example a first elongate ramp  100 . The first elongate ramp  100  comprises a major axis  102  and a minor axis  104 . The first elongate ramp  100  also includes a leading edge  106  arranged adjacent to a support surface such as the ground or a floor. Opposite of the leading edge  106  is a trailing edge  108 . The trailing edge  108  is spaced from the support surface. A top surface  110  extends between the leading edge  106  and the trailing edge  108 . Accordingly, the top surface  110  tapers from a first height above the support surface at the trailing edge  108 , to the second height adjacent to the support surface at the leading edge  106  as shown in  FIG. 1A . The top surface  110  includes both an angled portion  111  and a substantially horizontal portion  113 .  
         [0027]     The ramp  100  includes a first end  112  and a second end  114 . According to the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the leading edge  106  comprises a substantially straight portion  116 , and a rounded corner portion  118  at the second end  114 . Alternatively, according to some embodiments such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1C , there is no rounded corner portion  118  at the second end  114  and the leading edge  106  is substantially identical at both the first and second ends  112 ,  114 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the straight portion  116  is parallel to the major axis  102 .  
         [0028]     The ramp  100  also includes a substantially vertical back  120  shown more clearly in  FIG. 1B .  FIG. 1B  illustrates the ramp  100  from a bottom perspective view. The substantially vertical back  120  is generally parallel to the major axis  102  and comprises at least one connecting member, for example a plurality of male tabs  122  and a female tab  123 , protruding therefrom. The male and female tabs  122 ,  123  are shown and described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3C . The female tab  123  is shown adjacent to, but opposite of, the rounded corner  118 . The male tabs  122  are removably attachable to a modular floor tile, such as the modular floor tile  124  shown in  FIG. 2 . The female tab  123  is connectable to another ramp.  
         [0029]     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1B , the ramp  100  includes an open webbed structure  126  that supports the top surface  110  ( FIG. 1A ). The ramp  100  may comprise plastic or other material and is preferably injection molded. Accordingly, the ramp  100  is strong, lightweight, and inexpensive to manufacture.  
         [0030]     Adjacent to the substantially vertical back  120  is a substantially vertical side surface  128 . The substantially vertical side surface  128  is generally perpendicular to the vertical back  120 . The substantially vertical side surface  128  includes one or more connecting members, such as male tab  130 , for attachment with another ramp similar or identical to the ramp  100  shown in  FIG. 1B . The male tab  130  may be replaced with a mating female tab (e.g.  123 ), if desired, to provide for attachment to a ramp with a connecting member of the opposite type. Further, embodiments that do not include the rounded corner portion  118  (such as the embodiment of  FIG. 1C ) may include either a male or female tab  122 ,  123  opposite of the tab  130  shown protruding from the side surface  128 .  
         [0031]     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , two ramps  100 ,  200  are shown in relation to the modular floor panel  124 . The modular floor panel  124  comprises a top surface  132  and a plurality of lateral edge connecting members. According to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the plurality lateral edge connecting members comprise a plurality of female tabs  134  arranged on two adjacent sides  136 ,  138  of the rectangular modular floor panel  124 , and a plurality of male tabs  140  arranged on another two adjacent sides  142 ,  144  of the modular floor panel  124 . The first ramp  100  is shown connected to the modular floor panel  124  at the first lateral side  136 . Accordingly, female tabs  134  (not shown) extending from the first lateral side  136  are receptive of the male tabs  122  ( FIG. 1B ) of the first ramp  100 . Likewise, the female tabs  134  of the second lateral side  138  are receptive of the male tabs  222  of the second ramp  200 . The attachment of the ramps  100 ,  200  to the modular floor panel  124  provides a convenient, tapered interface between the lateral sides  136 ,  138  and the top surface  132 . Moreover, other ramps may also be added to the periphery of the modular floor panel  124 .  
         [0032]     The connection of the first and second ramps  100 ,  200  to the modular floor panel  124  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 3A-3C . The male tabs  122 , 222  include a generally vertical component which, according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3C , comprises semi-circular posts  146 ,  246  ( FIG. 3B ). The male tabs  122 ,  222  also comprise generally horizontal components which, according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3C , comprise semi circular discs  148 , 248  ( FIG. 3B ). A curved portion  150  of the semi-circular discs  148 ,  248  faces the floor or ground. The semi-circular discs  148 ,  248  are received through the looping female tabs  134 , and extend at least partially under the modular floor panel  124  to removably secure the ramps  100 ,  200  to the modular floor panel  124  as shown in  FIG. 3C . The looping female tabs  134  each comprise a rigid hoop structure that is completely receptive of the semi-circular discs  148 ,  248  ( FIG. 3B ). The semi-circular posts  146 , 246  ( FIG. 3B ) and the semi-circular disc  148 ,  248  ( FIG. 3B ) are also rigid but compressible toward one another. When inserted into the female tabs  134 , the semi-circular posts  146 ,  246  ( FIG. 3B ) and the semi-circular discs  148 ,  248  ( FIG. 3B ) maintain a constant pressure against the female tabs  134 , thereby securing a connection between desired components (e.g. between two or more modular floor panels  124 , between a modular floor panel  124  and a ramp  100 , between two or more adjacent ramps  100 ,  200 , etc.). The connection members engage one another such that the different components are joined tightly to one another and provide a consistent upper surface.  
         [0033]     According to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3C , a male tab  148  of the first ramp  100  is received by and engages the female tab  223  of the second ramp  200  to secure the first and second ramps  100 ,  200  together. As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , the second ramp  200  is removably attached perpendicularly to the first ramp  100 . Consequently, an interface  152  of the first ramp  100  with the second ramp  200  is substantially parallel to the minor axis  104  ( FIG. 1 ) of the first ramp  100 , and an interface  254  of the second ramp is substantially parallel to the major axis  102  ( FIG. 1 ) of the second ramp  200 . However, the first and second ramps  100 ,  200  may be attached longitudinally as well.  FIG. 5A  illustrates a combination of ramps  100  arranged longitudinally and perpendicularly to one another around a modular floor  160 . The skilled artisan having the benefit of this disclosure will understand that the placement of the connecting members such as the male and female tabs  122 ,  134  shown in  FIG. 3B  may be reversed between components.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , two or more modular floor panels  124  may be interconnected to form any polygonal shape. Ramps such as the ramps  100 ,  200  shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B  may then be attached at least partially around the perimeter of the polygonal shape as shown in  FIG. 5A . The tapered surface  110  of the ramp  100  extends from the leading edge  106  adjacent to the support surface or floor to the trailing edge  108  that is preferably flush with the top surface  132  of the modular floor panels  124 . An angle α between the floor and the ramp  100  may range between approximately 20 and 60 degrees, preferably between approximately 30 and 50 degrees, more preferably about 45 degrees.  
         [0035]     The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims.