Patent ID: 8808835

Claim:
A flooring system comprising: a floor panel assembly including: a container having bottom and side walls; a compression-molded, composite cover for covering the container in a closed position of the cover, the cover having: a first outer layer with a first outer surface; a second outer layer with a second outer surface; and a core positioned between the outer layers and having a plurality of cavities, wherein the outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding; and one or more load-bearing components positioned between the second outer layer and the bottom wall of the container in the closed position of the cover; each of the load-bearing components being bonded or joined to second outer layer and in abutting engagement with the bottom wall in the closed position of the cover to transfer a load appearing at the first outer surface to the bottom wall of the container; and a floor having a cavity for receiving the floor panel assembly.