Modular floor tiles and floor system
AssigneeHerman Miller, Inc.
InventorsStephen Peart, Ross Lovegrove, Robert W. Insalaco
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular tile and modular tile system is disclosed. The modular tile includes a base structure having a generally horizontal portion. Floor support members are positioned on a bottom surface of the generally horizontal portion. Upper column members extend above the horizontal portion of the modular tile. A cover is supported by the upper column members a distance above the horizontal portion thereby creating a chamber between the horizontal portion and the cover. The chamber is adapted to receive cabling therein.
Claims20
A modular tile for installation on top of an existing floor, the modular tile comprising:
- a base structure having a generally horizontal portion, the base structure comprising four connecting points such that a plurality of the base structures placed on top of the existing floor and arranged so that a corner of each adjacent base structure meet at a common point can be releasably affixed to one another by way of a modular tile connect,
- floor support members positioned on a bottom surface of the generally horizontal portion, and
- upper column members extending above the horizontal portion, and
- a cover supported by the upper column members a distance above the horizontal portion thereby creating a chamber between the horizontal portion and the cover, the chamber adapted to receive cabling therein.
A system of modular tiles for installation on top of an existing floor, comprising:
- at least four generally rectangular modular tiles arranged so that a corner of each of the modular tiles meets at a common point, each modular tile comprising
- a generally rectangular base structure, the base structure having a generally horizontal portion,
- a connecting point at each corner,
- upper column members extending above the horizontal base structure portion,
- a cover supported by the upper column members thereby creating a chamber between the horizontal portion and the cover adapted to receive cabling therein;
- and
- a modular tile connect engaging adjacent connecting points of the modular tiles to releasably connect the modular tiles.
A system of modular tiles for installation on top of an existing floor and on which a work environment is configured, the work environment comprising elements selected from a group comprising panels, screens, work surfaces, storage cabinets, and lamps, the system comprising a plurality of modular tiles arranged side by side across the existing floor to thereby create a work environment platform, each modular tile comprising a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion including an array of apertures, the array being generally identical on each modular tile, the apertures adapted to receive a protruding portion of an indexing element associated with at least some of the work environment elements, the indexing element extending downward into an upper column attached to a horizontal base portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.