Floor member retention apparatus

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of a floor member retention apparatus may include a floor member support for supporting a floor member, the floor member support includes a support surface. The floor retention member may further include a floor member being supported on the support surface of the floor member and a retention assembly including a retention member engaged with the floor member and a tension member configured to form a tensile load path between the retention member and the floor member support to restrict movement of the floor member away from the floor member support.

1 . A floor member retention apparatus comprising:
 a floor member support for supporting a floor member, the floor member support comprising a support surface;   a floor member supported on the support surface of the floor member support;   a retention assembly comprising:
 a retention member engaged with the floor member; and, 
 a tension member configured to form a tensile load path between the retention member and the floor member support, to restrict movement of the floor member away from the floor member support. 
   
     
     
         2 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the floor member comprises a recess defined on a sidewall thereof, and wherein the retention member engages the recess. 
     
     
         3 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the tension member forms a load path to the floor member support via a threaded connection to allow the tension member to be adjusted in an axial sense by rotation thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 3 , comprising a plurality of floor members including the floor member, the plurality of floor members being simultaneously engaged by the retention member, wherein the plurality of floor members define a gap therebetween and wherein the tension member can be accessed via the gap. 
     
     
         5 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention member comprises an opening receiving part of the tension member. 
     
     
         6 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the retention member can move freely on the tension member, and the retention member is held against a head of the tension member by a positioning member, wherein the positioning member is a resilient member configured to urge the retention member against the head of the tension member. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the positioning member is a compression spring surrounding the tension member. 
     
     
         9 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the floor member support is a pedestal having a foot, and a support portion extending from the foot, the support surface defined on the support portion. 
     
     
         10 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the support surface defines a female thread, and the tension member defines a male thread engaged with the female thread of the support surface. 
     
     
         11 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the support surface comprises at least one deformable tab extending therefrom, the at least one deformable tab forming an abutment for and edge of the floor member. 
     
     
         12 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 11 , comprising an edge bracket engaged with the pedestal, the edge bracket having an upturned flange abutment for an edge of the floor member. 
     
     
         13 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the upturned flange abutment comprises a return to hook an edge of the floor member. 
     
     
         14 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the edge bracket comprises at least one hook portion engaging the support surface. 
     
     
         15 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the support surface comprises two adjacent edges, and wherein the edge bracket comprises two hook formations for engaging each of the two adjacent edges. 
     
     
         16 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the floor member support is a rail having a channel formed therein, the channel having an overhanging portion, wherein the retention assembly comprises a base plate engaged with the channel, the base plate connected to the tension member, the tension member extending from the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the tension member is in threaded connection with the base plate. 
     
     
         18 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the base plate can be moved axially along the rail within the channel. 
     
     
         19 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the rail comprises at least one cushioning member between the support surface and the floor member. 
     
     
         20 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention member comprises a plurality of wings extending therefrom. 
     
     
         21 . The floor member retention apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the wings are angled out of the plane of the retention member. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled)