Elevated flooring system using various flooring panels

Abstract

An elevated flooring system using various flooring panels is provided. The elevated flooring system can include a scaffolding framework that can include a series of support beams and a support structure for undergirding the support beams. The support structure can include various upright portions and bracing portions can be arranged in a gridlike pattern. The support beams and the support structure can support the various flooring panels to provide a leveled deck. And the various flooring panels can be provided between the support beams, and can include a first end portion, an opposite second end portion, various hangers, various joists, and a decking portion.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A flooring panel for use in an elevated flooring system, the flooring panel comprising:
 a first end of the flooring panel, an opposite second end of the flooring panel, a first side of the flooring panel, an opposite second side of the flooring panel, a length between the first end and the second end of the flooring panel, a first end portion, a second end portion, a first plurality of hangers, a second plurality of hangers, a plurality of joists, and a decking portion,   the first end portion being provided at and adjacent the first end, the second end portion being provided at and adjacent the second end, each of the first end portion and the second end portion including a first portion and a second portion attached at an angle relative to one another, the first portion of the first end portion being adapted to contact a first support beam of the elevated flooring system and, the first portion of the second end portion being adapted to contact a second support beam of the elevated flooring system,   the first plurality of hangers attached to an inwardly facing surface of the second portion of the first end portion, and the second plurality of hangers attached to an inwardly facing surface of the second portion of the second end portion,   a first joist and a second joist of the plurality of joists each including an upper surface, and a first end and an opposite second end having a first end opening and a second end opening, respectively, and to interconnect the first end portion and the second end portion, a first one of the first plurality of hangers being received in the first end opening of and attached to the first joist, and a first one of the second plurality of hangers being received in the second end opening of and attached to the first joist, a second one of the first plurality of hangers being received in the first end opening of and attached to the second joist, and a second one of the second plurality of hangers being received in the second end opening of and attached to the second joist, and   the decking portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion and being supported by and attached to the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist,   wherein the first one and the second one of the first plurality of hangers are spaced from the first portion of the first end portion such that, when the first joist and the second joist are attached thereto, the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist are spaced from the first portion of the first end portion,   wherein the first one and the second one of the second plurality of hangers are spaced from the first portion of the second end portion such that, when the first joist and the second joist are attached thereto, the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist are spaced from the first portion of the second end portion, and   wherein, when the decking portion is supported by and attached to the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist, an upper surface of the decking portion is substantially flush with upper surfaces of each of the first portions of the first end portion and the second end portion.   
     
     
         2 . The flooring panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first one of the first plurality of hangers is attached to the first joist via at least a first fastener extending through portions of the first one of the first plurality of hangers and the first joist, and wherein the first one of the second plurality of hangers is attached to the first joist via at least a second fastener extending through portions of the first one of the second plurality of hangers and the first joist. 
     
     
         3 . The flooring panel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first plurality of hangers and the second plurality of hangers includes a central portion, a first side portion attached to a first side of the central portion, and a second side portion attached to an opposite side of the central portion, the first side portion including an end configured to be attached the second portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion, and the second side portion including an end configured to be attached to the second portion of the one of the first end portion and the second end portion. 
     
     
         4 . The flooring panel of  claim 3 , wherein the ends of the first portion and the second portion can be attached to the second portion of the one of the first end portion and the second end portion using fasteners, adhesives, brazing, soldering, welding, and/or crimping. 
     
     
         5 . The flooring panel of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of hangers includes a first central portion, a first side portion attached to the first central portion at a first location on the first central portion, and a second side portion attached to the first central portion at a second location on the first central portion, the first side portion including an end configured to be attached the second portion of the first end portion, and the second side portion including an end configured to be attached to the second portion of the first end portion. 
     
     
         6 . The flooring panel of  claim 5 , wherein each of the second plurality of hangers includes a second central portion, a third side portion attached to the second central portion at a third location on the second central portion, and a fourth side portion attached to the second central portion at a fourth location on the second central portion, the third side portion including an end configured to be attached the second portion of the second end portion, and the fourth side portion including an end configured to be attached to the second portion of the second end portion. 
     
     
         7 . The flooring panel of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first plurality of hangers and the second plurality of hangers can be attached to the second portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion using fasteners, adhesives, brazing, soldering, welding, and/or crimping. 
     
     
         8 . The flooring panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are each formed as angle metal with the first portions and the second portions thereof attached at perpendicular angles or substantially perpendicular angles relative to one another, each of the first portions being formed all or part by a first plate portion, and each the second portions being formed all or part by a second plate portion. 
     
     
         9 . The flooring panel of  claim 8 , wherein the first plate portions of the first portions of each of the first end portion and the second end portion each include a downwardly facing surface configured to be supported by an upper surface of one of the first support beam and the second support beam. 
     
     
         10 . The flooring panel of  claim 9 , wherein the second plate portions of the second portions of each of the first end portion and the second end portion each include an outwardly facing surface configured to contact a side surface of one of the first support beam and the second support beam. 
     
     
         11 . A flooring panel for use in an elevated flooring system, the flooring panel comprising:
 a first end of the flooring panel, an opposite second end of the flooring panel, a first side of the flooring panel, an opposite second side of the flooring panel, a length between the first end and the second end of the flooring panel, a first end portion, a second end portion, a first plurality of hangers, a second plurality of hangers, a plurality of joists, and a decking portion,   the first end portion being provided at and adjacent the first end, the second end portion being provided at and adjacent the second end, each of the first end portion and the second end portion including a first plate portion and a second plate portion attached at an angle relative to one another, the first plate portion of the first end portion including a first downwardly facing surface being adapted to contact a first upper surface of a first support beam of the elevated flooring system, and the first plate portion of the second end portion including a second downwardly facing surface being adapted to contact a second upper surface of a second support beam of the elevated flooring system,   the first plurality of hangers attached to an inwardly facing surface of the second plate portion of the first end portion, and the second plurality of hangers attached to an inwardly facing surface of the second plate portion of the second end portion, each of the first plurality of hangers and the second plurality of hangers including a central portion, a first side portion attached to a first side of the central portion, and a second side portion attached to an opposite side of the central portion, the first side portion including an end configured to be attached to the inwardly facing surface of the second plate portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion, and the second side portion including an end configured to be attached to the inwardly facing surface of the second plate portion of the one of the first end portion and the second end portion   a first joist of the plurality of joists positioned on the first side of the flooring panel, and a second joist of the plurality of joists positioned on the second side of the flooring panel, the first joist and the second joist of the plurality of joists each including an upper surface, and a first end and an opposite second end having a first end opening and a second end opening, respectively, and to interconnect the first end portion and the second end portion, a first one of the first plurality of hangers being received in the first end opening of and attached to the first joist, and a first one of the second plurality of hangers being received in the second end opening of and attached to the first joist, a second one of the first plurality of hangers being received in the first end opening of and attached to the second joist, and a second one of the second plurality of hangers being received in the second end opening of and attached to the second joist, and   the decking portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion and being supported by the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist,   wherein the first one and the second one of the first plurality of hangers are spaced from the first plate portion of the first end portion such that, when the first joist and the second joist are attached thereto, the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist are spaced from the first plate portion of the first end portion, and   wherein the first one and the second one of the second plurality of hangers are spaced from the first plate portion of the second end portion such that, when the first joist and the second joist are attached thereto, the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist are spaced from the first plate portion of the second end portion.   
     
     
         12 . The flooring panel of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first plurality of hangers and the second plurality of hangers can be attached to the second plate portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion using fasteners, adhesives, brazing, soldering, welding, and/or crimping. 
     
     
         13 . The flooring panel of  claim 11 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are each formed as angle metal with the first plate portions and the second plate portions thereof attached at perpendicular angles or substantially perpendicular angles relative to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The flooring panel of  claim 13 , wherein the second plate portions of each of the first end portion and the second end portion each include an outwardly facing surface configured to contact a side surface of one of the first support beam and the second support beam. 
     
     
         15 . The flooring panel of  claim 14 , wherein, when the decking portion is supported by the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist, an upper surface of the decking portion is substantially flush with upper surfaces of the first plate portions of each the first end portion and the second end portion. 
     
     
         16 . A flooring panel for use in an elevated flooring system, the flooring panel comprising:
 a first end of the flooring panel, an opposite second end of the flooring panel, a first side of the flooring panel, an opposite second side of the flooring panel, a length between the first end and the second end of the flooring panel, a first end portion, a second end portion, a first hanger, a second hanger, a third hanger, a fourth hanger, a first joist, a second joist, and a decking portion,   the first end portion being provided at and adjacent the first end, the second end portion being provided at and adjacent the second end, each of the first end portion and the second end portion including a first plate portion and a second plate portion attached at an angle relative to one another, the first plate portion of the first end portion including a first downwardly facing surface being adapted to contact a first upper surface of a first support beam of the elevated flooring system, and the first plate portion of the second end portion including a second downwardly facing surface being adapted to contact a second upper surface of a second support beam of the elevated flooring system,   the first hanger and the second hanger being attached to an inwardly facing surface of the second plate portion of the first end portion, and the third hanger and the fourth hanger being attached to an inwardly facing surface of the second plate portion of the second end portion, each of the first hanger, the second hanger, the third hanger, and the fourth hanger including a central portion, a first side portion attached to a first side of the central portion, and a second side portion attached to an opposite side of the central portion, the first side portion including an end configured to be attached to the inwardly facing surface of the second plate portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion, and the second side portion including an end configured to be attached to the inwardly facing surface of the second plate portion of the one of the first end portion and the second end portion   the first joist and the second joist each including an upper surface, and a first end and an opposite second end having a first end opening and a second end opening, respectively, and to interconnect the first end portion and the second end portion, the first hanger being received in the first end opening of and attached to the first joist, and the third hanger being received in the second end opening of and attached to the first joist, the second hanger being received in the first end opening of and attached to the second joist, and the fourth hanger being received in the second end opening of and attached to the second joist,   wherein the first hanger and the second hanger are spaced from the first plate portion of the first end portion such that, when the first joist and the second joist are attached thereto, the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist are spaced from the first plate portion of the first end portion to at least in part form a recess for receiving the decking portion above the first joist and the second joist, and between the first end portion and the second end portion, and   wherein the third hanger and the fourth hanger are spaced from the first plate portion of the second end portion such that, when the first joist and the second joist are attached thereto, the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist are spaced from the first plate portion of the second end portion to at least in part form the recess for receiving the decking portion.   
     
     
         17 . The flooring panel of  claim 16 , wherein each of first hanger, the second hanger, the third hanger, and the fourth hanger can be attached to the second plate portion of one of the first end portion and the second end portion using fasteners, adhesives, brazing, soldering, welding, and/or crimping. 
     
     
         18 . The flooring panel of  claim 16 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are each formed as angle metal with the first plate portions and the second plate portions thereof attached at perpendicular angles or substantially perpendicular angles relative to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The flooring panel of  claim 18 , wherein the second plate portions of each of the first end portion and the second end portion each include an outwardly facing surface configured to contact a side surface of one of the first support beam and the second support beam. 
     
     
         20 . The flooring panel of  claim 19 , wherein, when the decking portion is supported to the upper surfaces of the first joist and the second joist, an upper surface of the decking portion is substantially flush with upper surfaces of the first plate portions of each the first end portion and the second end portion.