Abstract
The invention is a lifting floor system. An underfloor support structure is divided into a number of partitions, and each partition is equipped with one or more lifting devices. A frame nests removably inside each partition, each frame having a floor piece at the top and a sub-floor piece at the bottom. The one or more lifting devices lift the frames from within the partitions, exposing usable space between each floor piece and sub-floor piece. The space is preferably large enough to store large items such as household appliances and furniture. The underfloor support structure is preferably modular and flat packable. The frames may have organizational features, such as shelves, hanging rods, or slide-out floors.
Claims
1. A lifting floor system comprising: an underfloor support structure comprising one or more modular units, each modular unit comprising a plurality of trusses arranged in a rectangular prismatic configuration with one or more bulkhead trusses that subdivide each modular unit into a plurality of rectangular prismatic partitions, each rectangular prismatic partition comprising a lifting device in each corner of the rectangular prismatic partition; and a plurality of box frames that nest removably inside each of the plurality of rectangular prismatic partitions, each box frame comprising one or more vertical supports, a floor piece mounted atop the one or more vertical supports, and a sub-floor piece mounted below the one or more vertical supports, wherein the lifting devices in the corners of the plurality of rectangular prismatic partitions lift the plurality of box frames from within the plurality of rectangular prismatic partitions, moving the floor pieces of the box frames out of a covering relationship with the underfloor support structure, exposing underfloor usable space between each floor piece and sub-floor piece.
2. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the lifting devices comprise automated lifting devices.
3. The lifting floor system of claim 2, wherein the lifting devices comprise lifting columns.
4. The lifting floor system of claim 2, wherein the lifting devices are selected from a group comprising telescoping rods, hydraulic and pneumatic telescoping systems, air bags, scissor lifts, pulley systems, linear actuators, and rack and pinion devices.
5. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the lifting devices are attached to and lift the floor pieces, and the box frames hang from the floor pieces, such that the box frames lift when the floor pieces are lifted.
6. (canceled)
7. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the one or more modular units consist of flat packable components.
8. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the underfloor support structure comprises sound-proofing materials.
9. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein each rectangular prismatic partition comprises four lifting devices.
10. (canceled)
11. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein each rectangular prismatic partition is approximately four feet wide.
12. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein each rectangular prismatic partition is approximately eight feet long.
13. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein each rectangular prismatic partition is approximately four feet high.
14. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the box frames have rectangular prismatic configurations.
15. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the box frames comprise shelving.
16. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the box frames further comprise slide-out floor layers.
17. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the box frames comprise hanging rods.
18. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the floor piece of each box frame comprises anti-fatigue flooring.
19. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the underfloor usable space stores household appliances.
20. The lifting floor system of claim 1, wherein the underfloor usable space stores household furniture selected from a group comprising tables, chairs, couches, lamps, desks, dressers, shelves, benches, beds, and ottomans.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more particular description of the invention briefly described above is made below by reference to specific embodiments depicted in drawings included with this application, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a lifting floor system;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of an underfloor support structure;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of a modular unit;
[0012] FIG. 4A depicts an interior view of one embodiment of a lifting device;
[0013] FIG. 4B depicts one embodiment of a single partition of the underfloor support structure comprising one or more lifting devices;
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a frame;
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of a floor piece of the frame;
[0016] FIG. 7A depicts one embodiment of a frame comprising shelving;
[0017] FIG. 7B depicts one embodiment of a frame comprising hanging rods;
[0018] FIG. 7C depicts one embodiment of a frame comprising a slide-out floor;
[0019] FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of one or more lifting devices lifting a frame from within a partition of the underfloor support structure, exposing usable space between a floor piece and a sub-floor piece; and
[0020] FIG. 9 depicts a building comprising a lifting floor system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] A detailed description of the claimed invention is provided below by example, with reference to embodiments in the append.ed figures. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the components of the invention as described by example in the figures below could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments in the figures is merely representative of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.
[0022] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a lifting floor system 100. The lifting floor system 100 comprises an underfloor support structure 110. The underfloor support structure 110 comprises a plurality of partitions 120, each partition 120 comprising one or more lifting devices 130. The lifting floor system 100 also comprises a plurality of frames 140 that nest removably inside the plurality of partitions 120. Each frame 140 comprises a floor piece 150 mounted atop the frame 140 and a sub-floor piece 160 mounted to a bottom of the frame 140. The one or more lifting devices 130 lift the plurality of frames 140 from within the plurality of partitions 120 of the underfloor support structure, exposing usable space between each floor piece 150 and sub-floor piece 160.
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of an underfloor support structure 110. An underfloor support structure is part of a building infrastructurean inner, unseen structural frame of a buildingand, in particular, the part of a building infrastructure that is underneath and supports a floor. Preferably, the underfloor support structure 110 has a rectangular prismatic configuration, though other configurations are possible. In one embodiment, the underfloor support structure 110 comprises steel. In one embodiment, the underfloor support structure 110 also comprises sound-proofing materials, such as mass loaded vinyl and foam. In other embodiments, the underfloor support structure 110 comprises other materials, such as aluminum or other metals, wood, engineered wood products, or plastic. The underfloor support structure 110 comprises a plurality of partitions 120. Each partition 120 is a framed-in open space, such that a frame 140 can nest removably inside each partition 120. Preferably, each partition 120 comprises a rectangular prismatic configuration. In one embodiment, each partition 120 is between approximately three to five feet wide, three to five feet high, and seven to nine feet long. Preferably, each partition 120 is approximately four feet wide, eight feet long, and four feet high. This size enables each partition 120 to house a variety of objects, including large ones, such as household appliances and furniture, while still providing enough support for the weight of a floor on top. This size also corresponds to the standard size of many building materials, such as wood products. Each partition 120 also comprises one or more lifting devices 130.
[0024] In one embodiment, the underfloor support structure 110 comprises one or more modular units 300. FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of a modular unit 300. Preferably, each modular unit 300 comprises a rectangular prismatic configuration, though some embodiments comprise other configurations. In one embodiment, each modular unit 300 comprises two long trusses 310, two outer bulkhead trusses 320, and a base frame 330 arranged in a rectangular prismatic configuration. In one embodiment, the long trusses 310 comprise hollow structural steel tubes with flat pieces of steel bent into Z-shaped or hat-shaped crossbeams. The bulkhead trusses 320 comprise thin sheets of steel bent into U-shaped channels. The base frame 330 also comprises steel. Other embodiments comprise other materials, such as other metals, wood, engineered wood products, or plastic. Several inner bulkhead trusses 340 divide the modular unit 300 into a plurality of partitions 120. Preferably, one modular unit 300 comprises six partitions 120. Preferably, each partition 120 comprises a rectangular prismatic configuration. In one embodiment, each partition 120 is approximately four feet wide, eight feet long, and four feet high. In one embodiment, the long trusses 310, the outer bulkhead trusses 320, and the base frame 330 are lined with sound-proofing materials 350. The sound-proofing materials 350 may comprise mass loaded vinyl or mass loaded vinyl on top of foam. In one embodiment, the one or more modular units 300 consist of flat packable components. Each long truss 310, each outer bulkhead truss 320, each inner bulkhead truss 340, and the base frame 330 are flat packable. In one embodiment, the long trusses 310, the outer bulkhead trusses 320, the inner bulkhead trusses 340, and the base frame 330 comprise strategically placed holes that do not affect the structural integrity but that allow the long trusses 310, the outer bulkhead trusses 320, the inner bulkhead trusses 340, and the base frame 330 to be constructed remotely by means of spot welding. Each of the pre-constructed, flat packable trusses and frames can then be shipped to the construction site where the one or more modular units can be assembled with bolts and screws.
[0025] FIG. 4A depicts one embodiment of a lifting device 130. Each partition 120 of the underfloor support structure 110 comprises one or more lifting devices 130. In one embodiment, the one or more lifting devices 130 comprise automated lifting devices. In some embodiments, the one or more lifting devices 130 are selected from a group comprising telescoping rods, hydraulic and pneumatic telescoping systems, air bags, scissor lifts, pulley systems, linear actuators, and rack and pinion devices. In one embodiment, the one or more lifting devices 130 comprise lifting columns. FIG. 4A depicts a lifting column. A lifting column is a linear actuator with a stable guide. In one embodiment, a lifting column comprises a motor 410. The motor 410 is completely hidden from outside view by a frame 460. The motor 410 is attached to and rotates a hollow tube 420, preferably made of metal and in a hexagonal configuration. The hollow tube 420 comprises a nut 430. The nut 430 encircles a large threaded screw 440 that is disposed within the hollow tube 420. The large threaded screw 440 is also hollow, and a small threaded screw 450 is disposed within the large threaded screw 440. The rotation of the hollow tube 420 and nut 430 by means of the motor 410 causes the hollow tube 420 to rise, crawling up the threads of the large threaded screw 440. The large threaded screw 440 interfaces with the small threaded screw 450 such that the large threaded screw 440 rises too, crawling up the threads of the small threaded screw 450. The rising hollow tube 420 and large threaded screw 440 are enclosed by the housing 460, which rises with them in tiers, each tier rising higher than the last. In one embodiment, the lifting column has three tiers.
[0026] FIG. 4B depicts one embodiment of a single partition 120 of the underfloor support structure 110 comprising one or more lifting devices 130. In one embodiment, the one or more lifting devices 130 comprise automated lifting devices. In one embodiment, the one or more lifting devices 130 comprise lifting columns. In other embodiments, the one or more lifting devices 130 are selected from a group comprising telescoping rods, hydraulic and pneumatic telescoping systems, air bags, scissor lifts, pulley systems, linear actuators, and rack and pinion devices. In one embodiment, each partition 120 comprises four lifting devices 130 and each of the four lifting devices 130 is secured in a corner of the partition 120. In one embodiment, the one or more lifting devices 130 in each partition 120 are attached to the floor piece 150 of a frame 140. When the one or more lifting devices 130 are actuated, the one or more lifting devices 130 lift the floor piece 150 of the frame 140, and the frame 140 hangs from the floor piece 150, such that the frame 140 lifts from within the partition 120 when the floor piece 150 is lifted by the one or more lifting devices 130. In one embodiment, the one or more lifting devices 130 in each partition 120 are synchronized. In one embodiment, each partition 120 has a microcontroller 400 that is connected to each of the one or more lifting devices 130 in the partition 120. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 400 of each partition 120 is in communication with a central controller. The central controller may receive user inputs that allow a user to control when the one or more lifting devices 130 of each partition 120 are actuated. In different embodiments, a user interface for entering the user inputs may comprise voice control, buttons, or a touch-sensitive display on a mobile device.
[0027] FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a frame 140. The invention comprises a plurality of frames 140 that nest removably inside the plurality of partitions 120 of the underfloor support structure 110. In one embodiment, each frame 140 comprises a rectangular prismatic configuration. Preferably, each frame 140 has an identical configuration to that of each partition 120 in which it nests, and each frame 140 fits snuggly within each partition 120. In one embodiment, space between each frame 140 and each partition 120 is less than approximately one inch along every side. In one embodiment, each frame 140 measures slightly less than approximately four feet high, four feet wide, and eight feet long. In one embodiment, each frame 140 comprises thin sheets of steel bent into beams and crossbeams, welded and bolted together. Each frame 140 comprises a floor piece 150 mounted atop the frame 140 and a sub-floor piece 160 mounted to a bottom of the frame 140. In one embodiment, a top side and a bottom side of each frame 140 are dimensioned and designed to hold the floor piece 150 and the sub-floor piece 160 respectively. Between each floor piece 150 and sub-floor piece 160 is usable space. In one embodiment, the usable space is used for storage. In one embodiment, the usable space is used for storing household appliances. In another embodiment, the usable space stores household furniture selected from a group comprising tables, chairs, couches, lamps, desks, dressers, shelves, benches, beds, and ottomans. The one or more lifting devices 130 lift the plurality of frames 140 and any contents of the usable space from within the plurality of partitions 120 of the underfloor support structure 110. In one embodiment, each frame 140 hangs from its floor piece 150, and the one or more lifting devices 130 in each partition 120 are attached to only and lift only the floor piece 150, and the frame 140 lifts when the floor piece 150 is lifted. In one embodiment, corners 500 of each frame 140 point inward, leaving an indentation where one or more lifting devices 130 can be placed and attached to the floor piece 150.
[0028] FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of a floor piece 150 of the frame 140. Each frame 140 comprises a floor piece 150 mounted atop the frame 140. In one embodiment, the floor piece 150 comprises a skeleton framework 600 comprising steel beams shaped and dimensioned to hold a floor. In one embodiment, on top of the skeleton framework 600 is a rigid panel 610 of the floor piece 150 that can hold substantial weight, preferably comprising oriented strand board (OSB), but alternatively comprising wood or other engineered wood products. In one embodiment, the floor piece 150 of each frame 140 also comprises anti-fatigue flooring 620, such as SmartCells, on top of the rigid panel 610. In one embodiment, the anti-fatigue flooring 620 is also topped by a finishing layer 630. The finishing layer 630 may comprise wood veneer, vinyl, tiling, laminate, carpet, or other types of flooring commonly known in the art. In one embodiment, the floor piece 150 also comprises connectors 640 where the one or more lifting devices 130 can attach to the floor piece 150. In one embodiment, the sub-floor piece 160 is structured similarly to the floor piece 150.
[0029] FIG. 7A-7C depict embodiments of frames 140 comprising interior organizational systems. Each frame 140 comprises a floor piece 150 and a sub-floor piece 160, and between each floor piece 150 and sub-floor piece 160 is usable space. In one embodiment, the usable space stores household appliances. In another embodiment, the usable space stores household furniture selected from a group comprising tables, chairs, couches, lamps, desks, dressers, shelves, benches, beds, and ottomans. In other embodiments, the usable space stores any of a variety of other things capable of fitting within the frame 140. In some embodiments, the usable space of the plurality of frames 140 comprises interior organizational systems. In one embodiment, the plurality of frames 140 comprise shelving 700. FIG. 7A depicts this embodiment. In one embodiment, the plurality of frames 140 comprise hanging rods 710. FIG. 7B depicts this embodiment. In one embodiment, the plurality of frames 140 comprise slide-out floors 720. FIG. 7C depicts this embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of one or more lifting devices 130 lifting a frame 140 from within a partition 120 of the underfloor support structure 110, exposing usable space between a floor piece 150 and a sub-floor piece 160. In one embodiment, each partition 120 of the underfloor support structure 110 comprises four lifting devices 130. In one embodiment, the one or more lifting devices 130 in each partition 120 are synchronized, or actuated simultaneously. In one embodiment, the one or more lifting devices 130 are attached to and lift only the floor piece 150, and the frame 140 hangs from the floor piece 150, such that the frame 140 lifts when the floor piece 150 is lifted. Any contents of the usable space between the floor piece 150 and the sub-floor piece 160 are also lifted with the frame 140. The one or more lifting devices 130 may be attached to the floor piece 150 by means of bolts or screws. In other embodiments, the one or more lifting devices 130 are positioned underneath the frame 140 and lift from the bottom. In other embodiments, the one or more lifting devices lift from the sides or corners. In one embodiment, the usable space that is exposed between the floor piece 150 and the sub-floor piece 160 stores household appliances. In another embodiment, the usable space stores household furniture selected from a group comprising tables, chairs, couches, lamps, desks, dressers, shelves, benches, beds, and ottomans. In other embodiments, the usable space stores any of a variety of other things capable of fitting and being lifted within the frame 140.
[0031] FIG. 9 depicts a building 900 comprising the lifting floor system 100 of the instant invention. Each level of the building utilizes the lifting floor system 100. In one embodiment, the underfloor support structure 110 comprises one or more modular units 300, comprising a plurality of partitions 120. Each partition 120 houses a frame 140 that is lifted by one or more lifting devices 130 within the partition 120. When the one or more lifting devices 130 lift the plurality of frames 140 from within the plurality of partitions 120, usable space is exposed between a floor piece 150 and a sub-floor piece 160 of each frame 140. A variety of objects may be stored within the usable space, including household appliances and furniture, in some embodiments.
