Hazard warning system
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsSarah M. Drewery, Colin I. Holyoake, David J. Tolley, Julian D. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flooring element is provided for a raised floor including removable flooring panels and a supporting structure with a load bearing surface. The flooring element includes a warning element operable for moving between an inactive position in which the warning element is substantially concealed by the surface and an active position in which the warning element projects beyond the surface to form a visual hazard warning indicator. The flooring element may be for example a flooring panel, a stringer, a pedestal, an insert for a pedestal or an insert for inserting between a sub-floor void and a flooring panel.
Claims11
A flooring insert for a raised floor comprising a load bearing surface, the flooring insert comprising:
- a rectangular peripheral frame for inserting between a sub-floor void and a flooring panel, the frame comprising an elongate warning element pivotally attached to the frame and operable for moving between an inactive position parallel to the surface when in use in the floor and an active position substantially perpendicular to the surface when in use in the floor,
- the rectangular peripheral frame including a base portion and a side portion, said floor panel having an outer edge portion to fit within the side portion, and when in situ within the insert, sits on the base portion, the flooring panel further having a recessed interior on its underside to accommodate the warning element in said inactive position within the insert.
An insert for a pedestal for a raised floor comprising a load bearing surface, the insert comprising:
- a flanged collar for fastening to the pedestal so that, in use in a raised floor, it is positioned between the sub-floor void and a flooring panel, the flanged collar comprising:
- a warning element comprising an elongate member pivotally attached adjacent one of its ends to the flanged portion of the insert so that, in use in a raised floor, the warning element is operable for moving between an inactive position parallel to the surface when in use in the floor and an active position substantially perpendicular to the surface when in use in the floor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.