Raised Panel

Abstract

A raised panel for the purpose of protecting stored items from moisture damage and promoting air circulation for use in storage units is disclosed.

Claims

1. A raised panel for installation on a construction surface that can be used individually or in combination with other adjoining raised panels to cover a floor surface; said raised panel comprising: a base comprising a moisture barrier to inhibit migration of moisture from the construction surface, said base having four sides, a top portion and a bottom portion; a plurality of molded projections extending from said bottom corresponding with depressions descending from said top; said projections having a coplanar lower portion edge; said top having a plurality of generally coplanar drainage channels extending from one side to an opposing side and positioned in a general grid arrangement so that each said drainage channel extending from one side to an opposing side perpendicularly intersecting each said drainage channel extending from the remaining said two opposing sides such that each said depression is bisected by a said perpendicular drainage channel intersection.

2. The raised panel of claim 1, wherein the base is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, high-density polyethylene, high-density polypropylene, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

3. The raised panel of claim 1, wherein the number of projections is thirty-five.

4. The raised panel of claim 1, wherein said panel is made of a single piece of material.

5. The raised panel of claim 1, wherein said panel is stackable with other said panels.

6. The raised panel of claim 5, wherein twenty said panels stacked measures approximately eight inches in height.

7. The raised panel of claim 1, wherein said projections have a plurality of secondary projections extending from said projections to further reduce contact with a construction floor surface while increasing points of contact with the construction floor surface.

8. The raised panel of claim 7, wherein said reduction of said contact with a construction floor surface of said secondary projections increases airflow around said projections.

9. A raised panel for installation on a construction surface that can be used individually or in combination with other adjoining raised panels to cover a floor surface; said raised panel comprising: a base comprising a moisture barrier to inhibit migration of moisture from the construction surface, said base having four sides, a top portion and a bottom portion; a plurality of molded projections extending from said bottom corresponding with depressions descending from said top; said projections having a coplanar lower portion edge; said projections have a plurality of secondary projections extending from said projections to further reduce contact with a construction floor surface while increasing points of contact with the construction floor surface; said top having a plurality of generally coplanar drainage channels extending from one side to an opposing side and positioned in a general grid arrangement so that each said drainage channel extending from one side to an opposing side perpendicularly intersecting each said drainage channel extending from the remaining said two opposing sides such that each said depression is bisected by a said perpendicular drainage channel intersection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a bottom oblique angle view to illustrate the projections and coplanar drainage channels extending from one side to an opposing side and positioned in a general grid arrangement so that each drainage channel extending from one side to an opposing side perpendicularly intersects each drainage channel extending from the remaining said two opposing sides such that each depression is bisected by a perpendicular drainage channel intersection.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a top oblique angle view to illustrate the depressions and coplanar drainage channels.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment bottom oblique angle view to illustrate the projections, coplanar drainage channels and a middle portion for information.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment to illustrate the top portion, bottom portion, projections, and coplanar lower projection edge.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a top bird's eye view of an alternative embodiment to illustrate the plurality of coplanar drainage channels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Now looking at FIG. 1, the raised panel for installation on a construction surface can be used individually or in combination with other adjoining raised panels to cover a floor surface is viewed at an angle from below in order to more easily see the various contours, features and functionality of the raised panel. The preferred embodiment, a generally planar and quadrilateral shape of the raised panel base, (1) is shown looking up from beneath the bottom portion. (2) The side portions can also be seen in this view. (3) The molded projections (5) extend from the bottom (2) and terminate in a coplanar lower portion edge. (6) These molded projections (5) therefore act as legs for the raised panel base (1) when the raised panel is placed with the bottom facing a construction surface, such as a cement slab in a storage unit. In the preferred embodiment, the number of projections is thirty-five but can be any number that provides for sufficient support for items placed onto the raised panel and permit moisture abatement, a thermal barrier, and air circulation. The space in between the projections (10) allows for air and moisture to circulate among the projections. (5) Specifically, this space allows the distribution of any moisture on the construction surface, below the top (4) of the raised panel and any items placed thereupon, as well as allowing the circulation of air to dry the moisture. The space in between the projections (10) also provides an air space between the construction flooring and the stored items, thereby creating a thermal barrier.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment, each projection can be seen further divided into four secondary projections (7) so that each group of secondary projections proceeding from each projection terminates in the coplanar lower portion edge, (6) comprising four equal parts per projection. Further, a raised portion (9) of the secondary projection (7) grouping reduces contact with a construction floor surface while increasing points of contact with the construction floor surface, thereby further providing moisture and air to travel among the projections (5) and secondary projections. (7) This feature also assists in the thermal barrier function of the invention by introducing more airspace between the top portion (4) of the raised panel base (1) and a construction floor.

[0023] Finally, the drainage channels (11) can be seen from the bottom (2) spanning the raised panel base (1), extending from one side (3) to an opposing side (3) in a general grid arrangement so that each drainage channel (11) perpendicularly intersects (12) another drainage channel, thereby forming the grid pattern. As can be seen in FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, one set of drainage channels are aligned along the X-axis and another set of drainage channels are aligned along the Y-axis. Additionally, the grid of drainage channels is positioned on the raised panel base (1) so that each intersection (12) is centered on a projection (5) thereby each drainage channel (11) bisects a row or column of projection (5) and, cumulatively, each intersection (12) is generally centered on each projection. (5) It is clear from looking at FIG. 1 that the projections (7), (and therefore the corresponding projection (5)), located at each side (3) will not have the same number of drainage channels (11) in its intersections (12), but will nonetheless be connected to the grid of drainage channels. (11)

[0024] Now looking at FIG. 2, the depressions (15) are seen from a top oblique view showing the top portion (4) drainage channels (11) connecting each depression (15) in the general grid pattern. The provision for the distribution and circulation of moisture or air can be seen among the drainage channels (11) and the depressions. (15) Looking at the secondary projections (7) and the raised portions (9), the channels created by the raised portions (9) between the secondary projections (7) can be seen. Further, the provision for the airflow and moisture circulation among the grid pattern drainage channels (11) and depressions (15) on the top (4) of the raised panel base (1) and the provision for separate air and moisture circulation among the projections (5), secondary projections, (7) and raised portions (9) through the reduction of contact with the construction floor surface is demonstrated when viewing FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2. Through this functionality of the raised panel, moisture accumulation and leaks into a storage facility that find their way to the flooring can be directed away from the bottoms of stored items, whether the moisture source is located above the stored items and the raised panel, from below the stored items and above the raised panel, as well as from moisture sources from below the raised panel and below the stored items. In other words, the invention keeps stored items above water seepage and allows for water (or other liquids) to dry if it has seeped into a storage unit.

[0025] Now looking at FIG. 3, the middle portion for information (16) in an alternative embodiment can be used for branding, custom branding, country of origin, and other information.

[0026] Now looking at FIG. 4, a side view of an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3 illustrates the side (3) and projections (5) and secondary projections (7) with their coplanar lower portion edge. (6) Additionally, the raised portions (9) of the secondary projections (7) can also be viewed, further providing for increased airflow and moisture distribution for abatement and drying. The middle portion for information (16) can be viewed from this perspective as well.

[0027] Now looking at FIG. 5, the bird's eye view of an alternative embodiment top portion (4) of the raised panel base (1) clearly shows the grid pattern of the depressions (15), drainage channels (11) and intersections. (12) Because the raised panel is preferably made of a single piece of material (plastic, high-density polyethylene, high-density polypropylene, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (generally referred to as ABS) or similar suitable material), looking down onto each depression (15) also shows the corresponding projection (5), secondary projections (7) and raised portions (9) for each depression (15) descending from the top. (4) Finally, the middle portion for information (16) is present in this alternative embodiment.

[0028] Another feature of the invention is its weight. Specifically, the raised panel is lighter than wooden, plastic or metal pallets, making it easier to place, easier to configure, and easier to remove. Clips or other means may be used to temporarily attach multiple raised panels together to create a raised panel surface that is larger than a single raised panel. Finally, another feature of the invention is the ability to be reused and neatly and compactly stacked when not in use. For example, in one alternative embodiment, 20 raised panels stack and fit into an eight-inch high box. The stacking function of the invention, combined with the relatively light weight of the invention, makes moving and handling of the invention very convenient.

[0029] Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and function designs for using methods for abating moisture above and beneath a raised panel. For example, in one embodiment, the projections (5) (referred to herein sometimes as legs) are extruded. In another embodiment, the raised panel base (1) is made by injection molding. In still further embodiments, the shape of the raised panel base as well as the shape and spacing of the projections (5) and secondary projections can vary. Of course, the raised panel base can be made in different shapes, such as triangles, squares, hexagons, diamonds, or a combination thereof, to name a few. Changing the shape of the raised panel base will necessitate changing the grid pattern of the drainage channels and intersections. For example, if the raised panel base is in the shape of a triangle, an even distribution of depressions and projections will favor drainage channels intersecting at less than right angles. Regardless of the shape of the raised panel or shape and number of projections, secondary projections, raised portions, and angels of intersection, the functionality of the raised panel base remains constant, protecting items from moisture as well as circulating air both on the top of the raised panel as well as below the raised panel.

[0030] Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Additionally, variants of additional embodiments are possible. For example, several different embodiments may include projections from the top as well as projections from the bottom. Another example includes each part being a different size and/or shape and/or material. Finally, uses of the present invention are not limited to storage units, as the invention can be used in garages, animal feed storage, agricultural uses, and other uses where items should be elevated above a floor. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims and the concepts taught herein should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments and embodiments contained herein.