Method and apparatus for laying and interconnecting cables in a raised floor system

Abstract

An assembly of floor panels adapted to be laid adjacent to one another to form a floor is disclosed, wherein at least one of the assembly of floor panels comprises an exposed floor surface and a covered surface, an opening through said floor and covered surfaces, and a junction box that is attached to the covered surface and enclosing the opening. Further, a receptacle is adapted to be mounted to the junction box, and a cover is mounted to be disposed from a first position that permits at least one utility cable to be placed through the opening and coupled to the receptacle, to a second position preventing the one utility cable from being placed through the opening.

1 . In an assembly of floor panels adapted to be laid adjacent to one another to form a floor, at least one of the assembly of floor panels comprising: 
 a) an exposed floor surface and a covered surface;    b) an opening through said floor and covered surfaces;    c) a junction box attached to said covered surface and enclosing said opening;    d) a receptacle adapted to be mounted to said junction box; and    e) a cover mounted to be disposed from a first position that permits at least one utility cable to be placed through said opening and coupled to the receptacle, to a second position preventing the one utility cable from being placed through said opening.    
     
     
         2 . The floor panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle is mounted to said junction box to be connected to at least one second utility cable at a point outside of said junction box.  
     
     
         3 . The floor panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there is a second cover mounted on said floor surface to be disposed from a first position covering said opening to a second position uncovering said opening.  
     
     
         4 . The floor panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said first mentioned cover is mounted on said second cover.  
     
     
         5 . The floor panel as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said first cover takes the form of a lid that includes a handle that can be manually grasped to dispose said first cover from its first to its second position.  
     
     
         6 . The floor panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cover covers said opening in said second position.