Alignment stopper with adapter and method of use

Abstract

According to the present invention, an adapter solution is provided that allows different structural panels, such as flooring, with different profiles to be joined to different substructures, in such a way that the panels are properly aligned with the substructure. The adapter may also facilitate securely holding the panels over the substructure to create lateral alignment and stability. The adaptor solution also may be assembled or deployed quickly on a project and without adding significant lead lime or expense to the project.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter solution for joining panels to a substructure, comprising: an adapter body having an outer shape configured to engage an edge of a panel; and
 a cutout portion of the adapter body, wherein the cutout portion of the body is configured to engage a flange to facilitate alignment of the body in relation to a substructure.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter solution according to  claim 1 , further comprising: an alignment stopper having the flange on one surface. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter solution according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the alignment stopper further includes edge flanges for securing the alignment stopper to the substructure.   
     
     
         4 . The adapter solution according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cutout of the adapter body is centrally disposed within the body.   
     
     
         5 . The adapter solution according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the cutout of the adapter body is centrally disposed within the body.   
     
     
         6 . The adapter solution according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the cutout of the adapter body is made of plastic.   
     
     
         7 . The adapter solution according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the panel is a steel encapsulated concrete panel.   
     
     
         8 . The adapter solution according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the panel is a steel encapsulated concrete panel.   
     
     
         9 . The adapter solution according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the panel is a steel encapsulated concrete panel.   
     
     
         10 . The adapter solution according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the outer shape of the body is selected to engage at least two different types of panels with different edge profiles wherein the outer shape includes a portion having a first shape based on an edge profile of a corresponding one of the at least two different types of panels and at least a second portion having a second shape based on an edge profile of another corresponding one of the at least two different types of panels.   
     
     
         11 . The adapter solution according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the outer shape of the body is selected to engage at least two different types of panels with different edge profiles wherein the outer shape includes a portion having a first shape based on an edge profile of a corresponding one of the at least two different types of panels and at least a second portion having a second shape based on an edge profile of another corresponding one of the at least two different types of panels.   
     
     
         12 . The adapter solution according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the outer shape of the body is selected to engage at least two different types of panels with different edge profiles wherein the outer shape includes a portion having a first shape based on an edge profile of a corresponding one of the at least two different types of panels and at least a second portion having a second shape based on an edge profile of another corresponding one of the at least two different types of panels.   
     
     
         13 . A method of using an adapter to mount raised flooring panels to a substructure, comprising:
 providing at least one adapter having an adapter body that includes an outer shape configured to engage an edge of a panel and a cutout portion of the adapter body, wherein the cutout portion of the body is configured to engage a flange to facilitate alignment of the body in relation to a substructure;   mounting the at least one adapter in relation to at least one corresponding beam in aligned relation with the at least one beam; and   mounting the at least one panel on the at least one adapter in aligned engagement with the adapter.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 mounting at least one alignment stopper on the at least one beam; and   mounting the at least one adapter on the corresponding at least one alignment stopper to facilitate mounting the at least one adapter in aligned relation to the at least one beam.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 wherein the at least one panels include at least two panels of different types with different edge profiles; and   wherein the outer shape of the adapter is designed to have at an outer shape having at least two portions that correspond to each of the different edge profiles.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the cutout of the adapter is centered in relation to it body. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the cutout of the adapter is offset in relation to it body. 
     
     
         18 . An adapter solution for joining raised flooring panels to a substructure, comprising:
 an adapter body made of plastic having an outer shape configured to engage an edge of a panel; and   a centered feature of the adapter body, wherein the centered feature of the body is configured to engage corresponding mounting feature a flange to facilitate alignment of the body in relation to a substructure; and   an alignment stopper having the mounting feature on one surface and edge flanges for securing the alignment stopper to the substructure.