Plastic utility shed flooring system

Abstract

The present invention provides a system which includes injection molded floor panels having integrated connectors which combine to form a family of variously sized floor assemblies for utility enclosures. The floor panels are formed of injection molded plastic to create light-weight panels having integrally formed ribs and gussets for strength and integrity. The injection molding also facilitates integrally formed connectors so that the panels interlock with one another without the need for separate connectors. The outer ends of the floor panels have integrally formed apertures constructed for interlocking cooperative engagement with a plurality of wall bosses to rigidly connect the wall panels together with the floor assembly in a perpendicular relationship.

1 . A plastic floor system for enclosing the bottom of a utility shed comprising: 
 at least two like-configured floor panel members, wherein each said floor panel member includes an outer first closed edge, a second edge opposite said closed edge, said second edge including a first means for connecting to juxtapositioned panel members, a third edge substantially perpendicular to and extending between said first and said second edges, said third edge including said first means for connecting to juxtapositioned panel members, a fourth edge opposite to and substantially parallel to said third edge, said fourth edge including said first means for connecting to juxtapositioned panel members, a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said at least two like configured floor panel members may be assembled having said second edges juxtapositioned in interlocking engagement to assemble a floor assembly having a predetermined width;    at least one front end member, said at least one front end member including a top surface, a first ramp edge, a second edge opposite said first ramp edge, said second edge including said first means of connecting panel members, and a pair of outer closed edges for maintaining a weather resistant enclosure, wherein said second edge of said front end member may be juxtapositioned in interlocking engagement with said third or said fourth edges of said juxtapositioned floor panel members for closing a front portion of said floor assembly;    at least one rear end member, said at least one rear end member including a top surface, a closed first edge, a second edge opposite said first edge, said second edge including said first means for connecting panel members, and a pair of outer closed side edges for maintaining a weather resistant enclosure, wherein said second edge of said rear end member may be juxtapositioned in interlocking engagement with said third or said fourth edges of said juxtapositioned floor panel members for closing a rear portion of said floor assembly;    wherein said floor system may be shipped in a disassembled state and assembled on a desired site.    
   
   
       2 . The plastic floor system of  claim 1  wherein said top surface of each said floor panel member includes a second means of connecting, wherein said second means of connecting is constructed and arranged for connecting to wall panel members in a substantially perpendicular relationship with respect to said floor panel member top surface, wherein said second means of connecting is positioned adjacent to said first closed edge.  
   
   
       3 . The plastic floor system of  claim 2  wherein said second means for connecting wall panel members includes a plurality of locking bosses arranged in a linear fashion adjacent to said outer closed edge of each said floor panel member, said locking bosses extending upwardly from said top surface, said locking bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with said wall assemblies for positioning engagement.  
   
   
       4 . The plastic floor system of  claim 3  wherein said locking bosses are removeable and replaceable, wherein each said removeable and replaceable locking boss includes a first boss end and a second flange end, wherein said first boss end is inserted upwardly through a substantially conjugately shaped aperture integrally formed within said floor panels adjacent said first closed edge so that said boss end of said locking boss extends upwardly above said top surface of said floor panel.  
   
   
       5 . The plastic floor system of  claim 4  wherein each said removeable and replaceable locking boss includes at least one integrally formed spring clip, wherein said spring clip is constructed and arranged to secure said locking boss in interlocking engagement with said floor panel.  
   
   
       6 . The plastic floor system of  claim 4  wherein said first boss end is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the top.  
   
   
       7 . The plastic floor system of  claim 1  wherein said first means for connecting said floor panel members includes a series of spaced apart fingers and recesses, said fingers and recesses constructed and arranged so that said fingers overlap and mateably engage the recesses of a juxtapositioned floor panel and wherein at least one fastener secures said floor panel members together in an inter-fitting engagement with their respective top surfaces in a substantially co-planar arrangement.  
   
   
       8 . The plastic floor system of  claim 7  wherein a portion of said fingers are provided with at least one countersunk aperture for receiving said at least one fastener, wherein said countersunk aperture is constructed and arranged to accept said at least one fastener, wherein a top surface of said fastener is below said top surface of said floor panel when assembled.  
   
   
       9 . The plastic floor system of  claim 7  wherein at least one of said fingers includes an alignment boss outwardly projecting from a lower surface thereof, wherein said alignment boss mateably engages an alignment socket positioned within an upper surface of at least one of said recesses.  
   
   
       10 . The plastic floor system of  claim 9  wherein said alignment boss includes at least one integrally formed spring clip, wherein said spring clip is constructed and arranged to interlockingly engage said alignment socket.  
   
   
       11 . The plastic floor system of  claim 1  wherein said plastic floor assembly includes two front end members, wherein each said front end member includes a top surface, a first ramp edge, a second edge opposite said first ramp edge, said second edge including said first means of connecting panel members, a third outer closed edge for maintaining a weather resistant enclosure, and a fourth inner edge, wherein said fourth inner edge includes a third means of connecting, wherein said fourth inner edges of said front end members may be juxtapositioned in interlocking engagement with respect to each other, wherein said second edge of said front end member may be juxtapositioned in interlocking engagement with said third or said fourth edges of said juxtapositioned floor panel members for closing a front portion of said floor assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The plastic floor system of  claim 11  wherein said third means for connecting includes an overlapping tab arrangement, wherein said overlapping tab arrangement includes at least one aperture therethrough for accepting a fastener, wherein said tabs are positioned in overlapping engagement prior to installation of said fastener, wherein said front end members are secured having said top surfaces in a substantially coplanar arrangement.  
   
   
       13 . The plastic floor system of  claim 11  wherein said front end members each include a door bolster integrally formed thereto, wherein said door bolster is constructed and arranged to provide support to a lower portion of a door member for prevention of inward bowing of said door panel.  
   
   
       14 . The plastic floor system of  claim 11  wherein said front end members each include at least one door lifter integrally formed thereto, wherein said at least one door lifter is constructed and arranged to cooperate with a lower portion of a door member to center said door member in a door aperture when said door member is in a closed position.  
   
   
       15 . The plastic floor system of  claim 11  wherein said front end members each include at least one integrally formed upwardly extending roof support boss, wherein said at least one roof support boss is constructed and arranged to cooperate with a roof support pillar for providing support to a roof structure.  
   
   
       16 . The plastic floor system of  claim 1  wherein said top surface of each said front end member includes said second means for connecting, wherein said second means for connecting includes a plurality of integrally formed locking bosses arranged in a linear fashion adjacent to said first ramp edge, said locking bosses extending upwardly from said top surface, said locking bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with a wall assembly for positioning engagement.  
   
   
       17 . The plastic floor system of  claim 16  wherein said locking bosses are removeable and replaceable, wherein each said removeable and replaceable locking boss includes a first boss end and a second flange end, wherein said first boss end is inserted upwardly through a substantially conjugately shaped aperture integrally formed within said front end member adjacent said first ramp edge so that said boss end of said locking boss extends upwardly above said top surface.  
   
   
       18 . The plastic floor system of  claim 17  wherein each said removeable and replaceable locking boss includes at least one integrally formed spring clip, wherein said spring clip is constructed and arranged to secure said locking boss in interlocking engagement with said front end member.  
   
   
       19 . The plastic floor system of  claim 18  wherein said first boss end is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the top.  
   
   
       20 . The plastic floor system of  claim 1  wherein said plastic floor assembly includes two rear end members, wherein each said rear end member includes a top surface, a first closed edge, a second edge opposite said first ramp edge, said second edge including said first means of connecting panel members, a third outer closed edge for maintaining a weather resistant enclosure, and a fourth inner edge, wherein said fourth inner edge includes a third means of connecting, wherein said fourth inner edges of said rear end members may be juxtapositioned in interlocking engagement with respect to each other, wherein said second edge of said rear end member may be juxtapositioned in interlocking engagement with said third or said fourth edges of said juxtapositioned floor panel members for closing a rear portion of said floor assembly.  
   
   
       21 . The plastic floor system of  claim 20  wherein said third means for connecting includes an overlapping tab arrangement, wherein said overlapping tab arrangement includes at least one aperture therethrough for accepting a fastener, wherein said tabs are positioned in overlapping engagement prior to installation of said fastener, wherein said front end members are secured having said top surfaces in a substantially coplanar arrangement.  
   
   
       22 . The plastic floor system of  claim 1  wherein said top surface of each said front end member includes said second means for connecting, wherein said second means for connecting includes a plurality of integrally formed locking bosses arranged in a linear fashion adjacent to said first ramp edge, said locking bosses extending upwardly from said top surface, said locking bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with a wall assembly for positioning engagement.  
   
   
       23 . The plastic floor system of  claim 22  wherein said locking bosses are removeable and replaceable, wherein each said removeable and replaceable locking boss includes a first boss end and a second flange end, wherein said first boss end is inserted upwardly through a substantially conjugately shaped aperture integrally formed within said front end member adjacent said first ramp edge so that said boss end of said locking boss extends upwardly above said top surface.  
   
   
       24 . The plastic floor system of  claim 23  wherein each said removeable and replaceable locking boss includes at least one integrally formed spring clip, wherein said spring clip is constructed and arranged to secure said locking boss in interlocking engagement with said front end member.  
   
   
       25 . The plastic floor system of  claim 23  wherein said first boss end is generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the top.