Modular floor system

Abstract

A modular floor system employing shared loading between adjacent panels. The modular floor system is comprised of a plurality of lower panels with each panel having interlocking features and a plurality of upper panels with each panel having interlocking features. The lower panels are arranged in a pattern adjacent to each other. The upper panels are similarly arranged in a pattern adjacent to each other and positioned above the lower panels. The pattern of upper panels is arranged such that each upper panel interlocking features engages with the complementary interlocking features of a plurality of lower panels. The resulting unified structure forms a substantially planar surface.

1 . A modular floor system comprising:
 a plurality of lower panels, each panel having interlocking features;   a plurality of upper panels, each panel having interlocking features;   wherein said lower panels are arranged in a pattern adjacent to each other;   wherein said upper panels are arranged in a pattern adjacent to each other and positioned above said lower panels; and   wherein said pattern of upper panels are arranged such that each said upper panel interlocking features engages with a complementary interlocking feature of a plurality of lower panels.   
   
   
       2 . The modular floor system of  claim 1  wherein said engagement of said upper panels with said lower panels forms a unified substantially planar surface. 
   
   
       3 . The modular floor system of  claim 1  wherein an external load is shared by a plurality of said upper and lower panels. 
   
   
       4 . The modular floor system of  claim 1  wherein each said lower panel is offset longitudinally from a latitudinally adjacent lower panel. 
   
   
       5 . The modular floor system of  claim 1  wherein each said upper panel is offset longitudinally from a latitudinally adjacent upper panel and interlocks with at least two said lower panels. 
   
   
       6 . The modular floor system of  claim 1  wherein said upper and lower panels are the same configuration. 
   
   
       7 . The modular floor system of  claim 1  wherein said upper panels are not the same configuration as said lower panels. 
   
   
       8 . The modular floor system of  claim 1  wherein said upper and lower panels are extruded. 
   
   
       9 . The modular floor system of  claim 8  wherein said panels are plastic. 
   
   
       10 . The modular floor system of  claim 1  wherein said each upper and lower panels further comprise a rib that automatically aligns and interlocks with a complementary feature on an opposing mating panel. 
   
   
       11 . A method of constructing a modular floor system comprising:
 arranging a plurality of lower panels adjacent to each other;   positioning a plurality of upper panels adjacent to each other and above said lower panels; and   moving said upper panels into engagement with said lower panels such that a unified substantially planar surface is formed.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of positioning each said upper panel such that it interlocks with at least two said lower panels. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of displacing longitudinally each said lower panel from a latitudinally adjacent lower panel. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of displacing longitudinally each said upper panel from a latitudinally adjacent upper panel.