Floor assemblies including a number of structural elongated flooring members extending across transverse supports

Abstract

A floor assembly includes a number of spaced apart horizontal support members to which a number of elongated flooring members are attached. The flooring members have features allowing their use in two versions of the floor assembly. In a first version, the flooring members are attached to the support members by clamping blocks having tabs extending over strips extending along opposite sides of the flooring members, which have outer walls extending downward and inward to provide space for the blocks. In a second version, the flooring members are attached by downward extending latching arms that engage upward extending latching arms of clips fastened to the support members.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A floor assembly comprising: 
 a support structure including a first plurality of spaced-apart, horizontally extending support members, wherein each of said support members includes an upper surface;    a second plurality of elongated flooring members extending above and across said first plurality of support members, wherein each of said elongated flooring members includes a lower surface extending adjacent said upper surface of said support members, and a clamping strip extending along each side of said elongated flooring member and outward from said lower surface of said elongated flooring member, an upper surface extending outward along each side of said elongated flooring member to overhang said clamping strip; and    a third plurality of clamping blocks, wherein each of said clamping blocks is fastened to a support member in said first plurality to extend along said upper surface of said support member between lower surfaces of adjacent elongated flooring members in said second plurality, wherein each of said clamping blocks includes a clamping tab extending toward each elongated flooring member in said adjacent elongated flooring members over an adjacent clamping strip of said elongated flooring member to hold said lower surface of each of said adjacent elongated flooring members against said upper surface of said support member, and wherein each of said clamping blocks extends under portions of said upper surfaces extending outward along said adjacent elongated flooring members.    
     
     
         2 . The floor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of said clamping blocks is fastened to said support member by a screw extending through a hole within said clamping block into said support member.  
     
     
         3 . The floor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said hole within said clamping block is offset from a center of clamping block to dispose said screw outward from an edge of an elongated flooring member adjacent said clamping block.  
     
     
         4 . The floor assembly of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a fourth plurality of edge clamps, wherein 
 said second plurality of elongated flooring members includes a first elongated flooring member extending along an edge of said floor assembly,    each of said edge clamps is fastened to said support structure to extend along an upper surface of said support member outwardly adjacent a lower surface of said first elongated flooring member, and    each of said edge clamps includes a clamping tab extending toward said first elongated flooring member, over an adjacent clamping strip of said first elongated flooring member to hold said lower surface of said first elongated flooring member against said upper surface of said support structure.    
     
     
         5 . The floor assembly of  claim 4 , wherein each of said edge clamps is fastened to said support structure by a screw extending through a hole within said support clamp into said support structure.  
     
     
         6 . The floor assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said hole in said clamping block is disposed outward from an adjacent edge of said first elongated flooring member.  
     
     
         7 . The floor assembly of  claim 6 , additionally comprising an edge strip extending outwardly adjacent said first elongated flooring member and over said edge clamps.  
     
     
         8 . The floor assembly of  claim 7 , wherein 
 each of said edge clamps includes a strip engaging surface,    said edge strip includes a clamp engaging surface fastened to each said strip engaging surface.    
     
     
         9 . The floor assembly of  claim 7 , wherein 
 each said strip engaging surface includes a first latching surface,    said clamp engaging surface includes a second latching surface,    said second latching surface is moved away from said first latching surface by deflection of said edge strip as said clamp engaging surface is moved toward engagement with said strip engaging surface, and    said second latching surface is moved into engagement with said first latching surface as said clamp engagement is moved fully into engagement with said strip engaging surface.    
     
     
         10 . The floor assembly of  claim 7 , wherein 
 said edge strip includes a first web extending over said edge clamps and a second web extending downward from said first web, and    said floor assembly additionally comprises a plurality of fasteners attaching said second web to an end of said support structure.    
     
     
         11 . The floor assembly of  claim 10 , wherein 
 each of said fasteners includes a head outwardly disposed from a surface of said second web, and    said edge strip additionally includes a cover strip pivotable between an open position exposing said surface of said second web and a closed position covering said surface of said second web and each head of said fasteners.    
     
     
         12 . The floor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated flooring member in said second plurality additionally includes: 
 an upper web, wherein said upper surface of said elongated flooring member extends along said upper web;    a lower web, wherein said lower surface of said elongated flooring member extends along said lower web; and    a first plurality of walls extending between said upper web and said lower web.    
     
     
         13 . The floor assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each elongated flooring member in said second plurality additionally includes a second plurality of thermoplastic foam members extending between said upper web and said lower web and additionally between adjacent walls within said first plurality of walls.  
     
     
         14 . The floor assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said upper and lower webs and said walls are composed of an extruded thermoplastic resin.  
     
     
         15 . The floor assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said first plurality of walls includes an outer wall extending downward and inward along each side of said elongated flooring member.  
     
     
         16 . The floor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein 
 said lower surface of each elongated flooring member in said second plurality additionally includes an upwardly disposed central portion extending along said elongated flooring member, and    each elongated flooring member in said second plurality additionally includes a pair of latching surfaces facing upward under said central portion of said lower surface.    
     
     
         17 . The floor assembly of  claim 16 , wherein 
 each elongated flooring member in said second plurality additionally includes a pair of latching arms extending downward from said central portion of said lower surface, and    said latching surfaces extend outward from opposite sides of said pair of latching arms.    
     
     
         18 . An elongated flooring member comprising: 
 an upper web;    a lower web including a raised central portion;    a first plurality of walls extending between said upper web and said lower web; and    a pair of latching arms extending downward from said central portion of said lower web, wherein said pair of latching arms includes a pair of latching surfaces facing upward and extending outward from opposite sides of said pair of latching arms.    
     
     
         19 . The elongated flooring member of  claim 18 , additionally comprising a second plurality of thermoplastic foam core sections extending between said upper web and said lower web and additionally between adjacent walls within said first plurality.  
     
     
         20 . The elongated flooring member of  claim 18 , additionally comprising a pair of clamping surfaces facing upward and extending along opposite sides of said lower web, wherein said upper web extends outward along each side of said elongated flooring member over said pair of clamping surfaces.  
     
     
         21 . The elongated flooring member of  claim 20 , wherein said first plurality of walls includes an outer wall extending downward and inward along each side of said elongated flooring member.  
     
     
         22 . The elongated flooring member of  claim 18 , additionally including a tread pattern having a plurality of ridges extending along an upper surface of said upper web.  
     
     
         23 . The elongated flooring member of  claim 22 , wherein each of said ridges is divided into a plurality of truncated pyramids.  
     
     
         24 . An elongated flooring member comprising: 
 a lower web;    an upper web extending over said lower web and outward, beyond said lower web along each side of said elongated flooring member;    a first plurality of walls extending between said upper web and said lower web, including an outer wall extending downward and inward along each side of said elongated flooring member;    an upward-facing clamping surface extending along each side of said elongated flooring member under a portion of said upper web extending outward beyond said lower web.    
     
     
         25 . The elongated flooring member of  claim 24 , additionally comprising a plurality of thermoplastic foam core sections extending between said upper web and said lower web and additionally between adjacent walls within said first plurality.  
     
     
         26 . A floor assembly including: 
 a first plurality of spaced-apart, horizontally extending support members, wherein each of said support members includes an upper surface;    a second plurality of elongated flooring members fastened to said support members to extend above and across said support members, wherein each of said elongated flooring members includes an upper web, a lower web extending adjacent said upper surface of each of said support members, a plurality of walls extending between said upper and lower webs, and a plurality of thermoplastic foam core sections extending between said upper and lower webs and additionally between adjacent walls within said plurality of walls.    
     
     
         27 . The floor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein 
 each elongated flooring member in said second plurality includes an upward-facing clamping surface extending along each side of said elongated flooring member, and    said floor assembly additionally comprises a third plurality of clamping blocks attached to said support members,    each of said clamping blocks includes a tab extending above a portion of said clamping surface of an adjacent elongated flooring member to fasten said elongated flooring member to a support member in said first plurality.    
     
     
         28 . The floor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein 
 said lower web includes an upwardly-disposed central portion,    each elongated flooring member in said second plurality includes a pair of upward-facing latching surfaces extending under said central portion of said lower web,    said floor assembly additionally comprises a third plurality of attachment clips,    each attachment clip in said third plurality is fastened to a support member in said first plurality,    each attachment clip in said third plurality includes a latching portion, extending upward under said central portion of said lower web of an elongated flooring member in said second plurality, having a pair of downward-facing latching surfaces engaging said upward-facing latching surfaces of said elongated flooring member.    
     
     
         29 . The floor assembly of  claim 28 , wherein 
 each elongated flooring member in said second plurality additionally includes a pair of latching arms extending downward from said central portion of said lower web,    each of said upward-facing latching surfaces is attached to a latching arm in said pair of latching arms, and    said upward facing latching surfaces are deflected toward one another by engagement with said downward facing latching surfaces.    
     
     
         30 . A floor assembly including: 
 a first plurality of spaced-apart, horizontally extending support members, wherein each of said support members includes an upper surface;    a second plurality of elongated flooring members, wherein each of said elongated flooring members includes an upper web, a lower web extending adjacent said upper surface of each of said support members, including an upwardly disposed central portion, a plurality of walls extending between said upper and lower webs, a pair of latching arms extending downward from said upwardly disposed central portion, an upward facing latching surface extending outward from each of said latching arms, and a plurality of walls extending between said upper and lower webs; and    a third plurality of attachment clips, fastened to support members in said second plurality, wherein each of said attachment clips includes a pair of latching arms, extending upward below said upwardly disposed central portion of a lower web in an elongated flooring member in said second plurality, and an inward extending, downward facing latching surface engaging said upward facing latching surface of said elongated flooring member.    
     
     
         31 . The floor assembly of  claim 30 , wherein said upward facing latching surfaces are deflected toward one another by engagement with said downward facing latching surfaces.  
     
     
         32 . The floor assembly of  claim 30 , wherein 
 each attachment clip in said second plurality additionally includes an attachment hole disposed between said latching arms of said attachment clip, and    said floor assembly additionally comprises a screw extending through each said attachment hole to fasten said attachment clip to said support member.    
     
     
         33 . The floor assembly of  claim 30 , wherein 
 each said attachment clip includes a first type of interlocking structure at a first end and a second type of interlocking structure at a second end, opposite said first end, and    said interlocking structure of a first type in said attachment clip engages said interlocking structure of a second type in an adjacent attachment clip to establish the spacing of attachment clips adjacent one another.    
     
     
         34 . The floor assembly of  claim 32 , wherein 
 said first interlocking structure includes a groove, and    said second interlocking structure includes a ridge fitting within said groove in an adjacent attachment clip.    
     
     
         35 . The floor assembly of  claim 30 , wherein each of said attachment clips is composed of a metal.  
     
     
         36 . The floor assembly of  claim 35 , wherein each of said attachment clips is composed of an extruded aluminum alloy.  
     
     
         37 . The floor assembly of  claim 30 , additionally comprising an edge strip extending adjacent an edge of said support structure, wherein 
 said edge strip includes a first web extending over a portion of an adjacent elongated flooring member in said second plurality and a second web extending downward from said first web, and    said floor assembly additionally comprises a plurality of fasteners attaching said second web to an end of said support structure.    
     
     
         38 . The floor assembly of  claim 37 , wherein 
 each of said fasteners includes a head outwardly disposed from a surface of said second web, and    said edge strip additionally includes a cover strip pivotable between an open position exposing said surface of said second web and a closed position covering said surface of said second web and each head of said fasteners.    
     
     
         39 . A method for assembling a floor atop a support structure including a plurality of spaced-apart, horizontally extending support members, wherein said method comprises: 
 a) fastening a first elongated flooring member to extend across said support members adjacent a first edge of said support structure by a plurality of edge clamps fastened to said support structure, wherein each of said edge clamps includes a tab extending over a first clamping strip of said first elongated flooring member, wherein said first clamping strip extends along a first side of said first elongated flooring member adjacent said first edge of said support structure, and additionally by a plurality of clamping blocks fastened to said plurality of support members, wherein each of said clamping blocks includes a first tab extending over a second clamping strip of said first elongated flooring member, and wherein said second clamping strip extends along a side of said first elongated flooring member opposite said first side;    b) sliding an additional elongated flooring member into place to extend adjacent said elongated flooring member last fastened to extend across said support members, with a first clamping strip of said additional elongated flooring member extending under a second tab of each of said clamping block in said plurality of clamping blocks attaching said elongated flooring member last fastened to extend across said support structure, wherein said first clamping strip of said additional elongated flooring member extends along a first side of said additional elongated flooring member, adjacent said elongated flooring member last fastened to extend across said support members;    c) fastening said additional elongated flooring member to said support structure by a plurality of clamping blocks fastened to said plurality of support members, wherein each of said clamping blocks includes a first tab extending over a second clamping strip of said first elongated flooring member, and wherein said second clamping strip extends along a side of said additional elongated flooring member opposite said first side of said additional elongated flooring member;    d) repeating steps b) and c) to fasten a plurality of additional elongated flooring members to said support structure until a space for only a last additional elongated flooring member remains along said support structure;    e) repeating step b) to fasten said last additional elongated flooring member to said support structure; and    f) fastening said last additional elongated flooring member to said support structure by a plurality of edge clamps fastened to said support structure, wherein each of said edge clamps includes a tab extending over a second clamping strip of said first elongated flooring member, and wherein said second clamping strip extends along a side of said last additional elongated flooring member opposite said first side of said additional elongated flooring member.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein 
 each of said clamping blocks is fastened to a support member by driving a screw into said support member through a hole in said clamping block, and    said hole in said clamping block is offset from a center of said clamping block through a distance sufficient to allow clearance between a screwdriver engaging said screw and an adjacent edge of a most recently installed elongated flooring member.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , additionally comprising attaching an edge strip to said edge clamps along an edge of said floor.