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.

Claims

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of an elevated flooring system of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2. is a top, perspective view of initial assembly of a support structure formed during assembly of the elevated flooring system of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, top, perspective view of portions of the support structure of FIG. 2 depicting an upright portion and bracing portions of the support structure;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a top, perspective view of further assembly of the support structure of FIG. 2 with various saddles attached to various upright portions during assembly of the elevated flooring system of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, top, perspective view of portions of the support structure of FIG. 4 depicting a saddle attached to an upright portion.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a further enlarged, top, perspective view of a saddle of the support structure;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of a scaffolding framework formed by attaching various support beams to the support structure of FIG. 4 during assembly of the elevated flooring system of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 8 is an enlarged, top, perspective view of portions of the scaffolding framework of FIG. 7 with support beams attached to a saddle supported by an upright portion;

[0017] FIG. 9 is an enlarged, top, perspective view of a beam extension;

[0018] FIG. 10 is an enlarged, top, perspective view of a tent-leg connector;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a top, perspective view of various beam extensions and various tent-leg connectors attached to the scaffolding framework of FIG. 7;

[0020] FIG. 12 is an enlarged, top, perspective view of portions of the scaffolding framework of FIG. 11 with a beam extension attached to a saddle and a support beam;

[0021] FIG. 13 is an enlarged, top, perspective view of portions of the scaffolding framework of FIG. 11 with a tent-leg connector attached to a saddle and a support beam;

[0022] FIG. 14 is a top, perspective view of a portion of a flooring panel of the elevated flooring system of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 15 is a bottom, plan view of the flooring panel of FIG. 14;

[0024] FIG. 16 is an enlarged, bottom, partially-phantom, plan view of the flooring panel of FIG. 14;

[0025] FIG. 17 is an enlarged, bottom, partially-phantom, perspective view of a portion of the flooring panel of FIG. 14;

[0026] FIG. 18 is a top, perspective view of a first end portion or a second end portion used in the flooring panel of FIG. 14;

[0027] FIG. 19 is a top, plan view of the first end portion or the second end portion of FIG. 18;

[0028] FIG. 20 is a side, elevational view of the first end portion or the second end portion of FIG. 18;

[0029] FIG. 21 is a side, elevational view of the flooring panel of FIG. 14 positioned relative to a first support beam supported by a first upright portion and a second support beam supported by a second upright portion; and

[0030] FIG. 22 is an enlarged side, elevational view of portions of a first flooring panel and a second flooring panel of FIG. 14 being positioned relative to a support beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] An elevated flooring system is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. The elevated flooring system 10, as depicted in FIG. 1, includes a scaffolding framework 12 used to support various flooring panels 14. The support of the various flooring panels 14 by the scaffolding framework 12 permits the elevated flooring system 10 to provide a leveled deck 16 formed by the flooring panels 14 that can serve as a floor or sub-floor. In doing so, the scaffolding framework 12 can be used to provide the leveled deck 16 for a venue in areas where the topography is formed by unleveled/undulating ground by spacing the leveled deck 16 from the ground. In addition to supporting the flooring panels 14, the scaffolding framework 12 can support a tent system (not shown) to cover the venue by covering all or portions of the leveled deck 16.

[0032] As depicted in FIG. 1, the scaffolding framework 12 can includes a series of support beams 20 and a support structure 22 for undergirding the support beams 20. The support beams 20 can be solid or hollow, and each of the flooring panels 14 can be supported between two of the support beams 20 (FIG. 21) to create the leveled deck 16. The support structure 22, as depicted in FIGS. 1, can include various upright portions 24 and various bracing portions 26 for bracing the upright portions 24. As depicted in FIG. 2, the bracing portions 26 can be attached between the upright portions 24.

[0033] The upright portions 24, as depicted in FIG. 3, each can include a base portion 30, a post portion 32, a first collar portion 34, and a second collar portion 36. The base portion 30 of each of the upright portion 24 can be configured to contact the ground, and the post portion 32 can attached to and extend upwardly from the base portion 30. The post portion 32 of the upright portion 24 can be expandable and contractable to increase and decrease, respectively, a length thereof to correspondingly adjust heights of the upright portions 24, as well as the first collar portion 34 and the second collar portion 36, relative to the ground.

[0034] To facilitate the expansion and contraction thereof, the post portion 32 can include one or more portions that are telescopic with respect to one another. For example, the post portion 32, as depicted in FIG. 3, can include a first tubular portion 40, a second tubular portion 42, and a third tubular portion 44. The first tubular portion 40 and the third tubular portion 44 can include outer diameters smaller than an inner diameter of the second tubular portion 42. As such, the first tubular portion 40 can be received in a bottom portion of the second tubular portion 42, and the third tubular portion 44 can be received in a top portion of the second tubular portion 42. The second tubular 42 can serve as a sleeve with the first tubular portion 40 and the third tubular portion 44 being moveable outwardly and inwardly with respect thereto correspondingly expand and contract the length of the post portion 32. Furthermore, additional versions of the first tubular portion 40, the second tubular portion 42, and the third tubular portion 44 with different lengths can be provided, and these additional versions can be selected to provide for coarse adjustment (expansion or contraction) of the length of the post portion 32. Finer adjustment can then be provided by outward and inward movement of the first tubular portion 40 and the third tubular portion 44 relative to the second tubular portion 42 to expand or contract the length of the post portion 32.

[0035] With the length of the post portion 32 expanded or contracted to properly adjust the height of the upright portion 24, the first collar portion 34, and the second collar portion 36 relative to the ground, pins (not shown) can be used to fix the positions of the first tubular portion 40 and the third tubular portion 44 relative to the third tubular portion 42. Additionally, as depicted in FIG. 3, the base portion 30 can include a jack portion 46 to provide additional finer adjustment of the heights of the upright portion 24, the first collar portion 34, and the second collar portion 36 relative to the ground. The adjustments of these heights afforded by the coarse or fine adjustment of the upright portions 24 and the jack 46 allow the support structure 22 to accommodate the unleveled/undulating ground

[0036] Each of the bracing portions 26 can include a first end 50 and a second end 52, and each of the first collar portion 34 and the second collar portion 36 can include plate portions 54. Furthermore, the first collar portion 34, the second collar portion 36, the first end 50, and the second end 52 can be configured to attach the bracing portions 26 to the first collar portions 34 and the second collar portions 36 thereto. To facilitate such attachment, each of the first end 50 and the second end 52 of each of the bracing portions 26 can include one of apertures and detents, and the plate portions 54 can include the other of the apertures and detents. For example, the first end 50 and the second end 52 can each include a detent 56, and the plate portions 54 can each include various apertures 58 formed in the plate portion 54. The apertures 58 can be circumferentially spaced around each of the plate portions 54 to afford attachment of the detents 56 (of the first ends 50 and the second ends 52 of each of the bracing portions 26) at different circumferential positions relative to the first collar portions 34 and the second collar portions 36 of each of the upright portions 24.

[0037] The engagement of the detents 56 of various bracing portions 26 to the apertures 58 of the plate portions 54 of the first collar portions 34 and the second collar portions 36 of the upright portions 24 allow the support structure 22 that undergirds the various support beams 20 to be built. As depicted in FIG. 2, the upright portions 24 and the bracing portions 26 can be arranged in a gridlike pattern that interconnect the various upright portions 24 and the various bracing portion 26 with one another. The gridlike pattern serves to buttress the upright portions 24 and maintain the upright portions 24 in the upright position. In addition to buttressing the upright portions 24, the gridlike pattern allows the support structure 22 to undergird the support beams 20, and in doing so, space the support beams 20 apart from one another to support the flooring panels 14 therebetween.

[0038] Each of the support beams 20, as depicted in FIG. 8, can include an upper surface 60, a lower surface 62, a first side surface 64, and a second side surface 66. And the support beams 20 can be supported relative to the support structure 22 using various saddles 68 attached to the upright portions 24 (FIGS. 4 and 5). As depicted in FIG. 6, the saddles 68 each include a saddle portion 70 and a post portion 72 supporting the saddle portion 70. The saddle portion 70 is U-shaped in cross section, and, as depicted in FIG. 6, includes base-plate portion 74, a first side-plate portion 76, and a second side-plate portion 78. The first side-plate portion 76 and the second side-plate portion 78 are opposed to one another, and together the base-plate portion 74, the first side-plate portion 76, and the second side-plate portion 78 define a beam-receiving area 80. The beam-receiving area 80 can be sized to receive portions of one or two of the support beams 20 to facilitate secure attachment of the support beams 20 thereto. When received in the beam-receiving areas 80, the lower surfaces 62 of the support beams 20 can contact the base-plate portions 74, the first side surface 64 of the support beams 20 can contact the first side-plate portions 76, and the second side surfaces 66 of the support beams 20 can contact the second side-plate portion 78.

[0039] Furthermore, to attach the saddles 68 to the upright portions 24, each of the upright portions 24 can include an upper opening 82 (FIG. 3) configured to receive the post portion 72 therein. The post portions 72 and the upper openings 82 can include complimentary dimensions to afford one fitting within the other. To illustrate, each of the post portions 72 can include exterior dimensions for fitting within interior dimensions of each of the upper openings 82. More specifically, each of the post portions 72 and each of the upper openings 82 can be cylindrical with portions of the post portions 72 having outer diameters sized to fit within inner diameters of the upper openings 82. When the post portions 72 are received within the upper openings 82, fasteners (such as, for example, bolts/nuts 84) can be used to further secure attachment between the saddles 68 and the upright portions 24. As such, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the saddles 68 can be assembled to the upright portions 24 via such attachment.

[0040] After the saddles 68 are attached to the upright portions 24, the support beams 20, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, can be attached to the saddles 68 and correspondingly supported relative to the support structure 22. In doing so, fasteners can be used to securely attach the support beams 20 to the saddles 68. For example, the saddle portions 70 can include a first set 86 and a second set 88 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of fastener-receiving apertures formed in the first side-plate portion 76 and the second side-plate plate portion 78, and the support beams 20 can include first ends 90 and second ends 92 including corresponding aperture(s). If the support beams 20 are solid, then one each of the apertures are preferred therethrough, and if the support beams 20 are hollow, then two each of the apertures are preferred therethrough. The apertures of the first end 90 of a first one of the support beams 20 can be aligned with the first set 86 of fasteners-receiving apertures, and a fastener (such as, for example, a first pin 100) can be inserted therethrough to securely attach the first one of the support beams 20 to a first one of the saddles 68; and the apertures of the second end 92 of a second one of the support beams 20 can be aligned with the second set 88 of fastener-receiving apertures, and a fastener (such as, for example, a second pin 102) can be inserted therethrough to securely attach the second one of the support beams 20 to the first one of the saddles 68. As depicted in FIG. 7, such attachment of the various support beams 20 to the various saddles 68 can be repeated until sets of the support beams 20 are arranged end-to-end to one another, and the sets of the support beams 20 are arranged in parallel to one another.

[0041] After the arrangement of the various support beams 20, as depicted in FIG. 7, the first ends 90 of some of the support beams 20 are adjacent a first side of the support structure 22, and the second ends 92 of some of the support beams 20 are adjacent an opposite second side of the support structure 22. When the support beams 20 are hollow the first ends 90 (adjacent the first side of the support structure 22) and the second ends 92 (adjacent the second side of the support structure 22) have first openings 104 and second openings 106, respectively, formed therein. The first openings 104 and the second openings 106 can be configured to receive beam extensions 110 (FIG. 9) and tent-leg connectors 112 (FIG. 10). Each of the beam extensions 110 can include a tongue portion 120 and a beam portion 122. The tongue portion 120 can be configured to fit in the first openings 104 and the second openings 106, and the beam portion 122 can be configured to facilitate attachment and support of railings and/or fences (not shown) thereto that surround a perimeter of the leveled deck 16. Each of the tent-leg connectors 112 can include a tongue portion 124, a beam portion 126, and a connection portion 128. The tongue portion 124 can be configured to fit in the first openings 104 and the second openings 106, the beam portion 126 can be configured to support the connection portion 128 and to facilitate attachment and support of the railings and/or the fences thereto that surround a perimeter of the leveled deck 16, and the connection portion 128 can be configured to facilitate attachment and support of tent legs (not shown) of the tent system covering all or portions of the leveled deck 160. Fasteners (including the first pins 100 and the second pins 102) can be used to secure attachment of the beam extensions 110 and the tent-leg connectors 112 to the support beams 20.

[0042] As discussed above, the gridlike pattern of the support structure 22 spaces the support beams 20 apart from one another to support the flooring panels 14 therebetween. Thus, when the support beams 20, as discussed above, are arranged end-to-end and parallel to one another, the spacing between the parallel sets of the support beams 20 allows the flooring panels 14, as depicted in FIG. 1, to be supported therebetween. As depicted in FIGS. 14-17, each of the flooring panels 14 include a first end E.sub.1, an opposite second end E.sub.2, a first side S.sub.1, an opposite second side S.sub.2, a first end portion 130 provided at and adjacent the first end E.sub.1, an opposite second end portion 132 provided at and adjacent the second end E.sub.2, various hangers 134, various joists 136, and a decking portion 138. As depicted in FIG. 15, the first end portion 130 can be provided at and adjacent the first end E.sub.1, the second end portion 132 can be provided at and adjacent the second end E.sub.2, and the various joists 136 can be provided at and adjacent or between the first side S.sub.1 and the second side S.sub.2.

[0043] The first and second end portions 130 and 132 can be similar (if not identical) to one another, and as depicted in FIGS. 18-20, can be formed from angle metal with a first plate portion 140 and a second plate portion 142 oriented at an angle (for example, at perpendicular or substantially perpendicular angles) relative to one another. The first plate portion 140 and the second plate portion 142 can be attached to one another and can preferably be oriented at a 90 angle relative to one another. As discussed below, such an orientation serves in reinforcing the support beams 20, and correspondingly, strengthening the support of the leveled deck 16 formed by the flooring panels 14. The first plate portion 140 includes a first surface 150 and an opposite second surface 152 with the first surface 150 being configured to contact the upper surfaces 60 of the support beams 20, and the second surface 152 forming a portion of the leveled deck 16. The first plate portion 140 can include an edge opposite from the attachment thereof to the second plate portion 142 that, for example, can be straight or have an edge detail (FIGS. 14-16, 18, and 19) that can be interdigitated with other complimentary edges. Furthermore, the second plate portion 142 includes a first surface 160 and an opposite second surface 162 with the first surface 160 being configured to contact the first side surfaces 64 and the second side surfaces 66 of the support beams 20, and the second side surface 162 being configured to support the hangers 134 thereon.

[0044] The hangers 134, as depicted in FIGS. 18-20, can each include a central portion 170, a first side portion 172 attached to a first side of the central portion 170, and a second side portion 174 attached to an opposite second side of the central portion 170. The first side portion 172 and the second side portion 174 can each be attached to the second surfaces 162 of the second plate portions 142 of the first end portion 130 or the second end portion 132. For example, the first side portion 172 and the second side portion 174 can include a first end surface 176 and a second end surface 178, respectively. Each of the first end surface 176 and the second end surface 178 can be fixedly attached to the second surfaces 162. The fixed attachment, for example, can be accomplished using fasteners, adhesives, brazing, soldering, welding, and/or crimping.

[0045] After attachment to the second surfaces 162 of the second plate portions 142 of the first end portion 130 or the second end portion 132, the hangers 134 can be received within and attached to end portions of the joists 136 to interconnect the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132 to one another.

[0046] As depicted in FIGS. 18-20, a plurality of the hangers 134 can be spaced along the second surface 162 of the first end portion 130, and a plurality of the hangers 134 can be spaced along the second surface 162 of the second end portion 132. The hangers 134 can be spaced such that the positions of the hangers 134 on the second surface 162 of the first end portion 130 can correspond to the positions of the f hangers 134 on the second surface 162 of the second end portion 132, so that various pairs of the hangers 134 (one attached to the first end portion 130 and the other attached to the second end portion 132) can be opposed to another. As depicted in FIGS. 15-17, each of the joists 136 can be at least partially hollow with a first end 180 having a first opening 182 formed therein, and an opposite second end 184 having a second opening 186 formed therein. To interconnect the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132, one of a pair of the hangers 134 can be received in the first opening 182 of one of the joists 136, and the other of the pair of hangers 134 can be received in the second opening 186 of the one of the joists 136.

[0047] To secure attachment of the one of the joists 136 to the pair of hangers 134 the hangers 134, as depicted in FIG. 17, can each include a first set of apertures 190 and a second set of apertures 192 (with one of each set formed in the first side portions 172 and another of each set formed in the second side portions 174). Furthermore, the first ends 180 (FIG. 17) and the second ends 182 of each of the joists 136 can each include a first set of apertures 200 and a second set of apertures 202. First fasteners 210 and second fasteners 212 (FIG. 17) can then be used to secure attachment of the joists 136 to the hangers 134.

[0048] As depicted in FIG. 17, after the one of the pair of hangers 134 is received in the first opening 182 at the first end 180, and to secure attachment therebetween, one of the first fasteners 210 can be received through the first set of apertures 190 of the hangers 134 and the first set of apertures 200, and one of the second fasteners 212 can be received through the second set of apertures 192 of the hangers 134 and the second set of apertures 202. And after the other of the pair of hangers 134 is received in the second opening 186 at the second end 184, and to secure attachment therebetween, one of the first fasteners 210 can be received through the first set of apertures 190 of the hangers 134 and the first set of apertures 200, and one of the second fasteners 212 can be received through the second set of apertures 192 of the hangers 134 and the second set of apertures 202. The interconnection of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132, as depicted in FIG. 15, can be repeated for additional pairs of hangers 134 and additional joists 136.

[0049] The hangers 134 can be positioned on the second surfaces 162 of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132, such that, after attachment of the joists 136 thereto, upper surfaces 220 of the joists 136 (FIG. 17) are spaced apart from edges 222 (FIGS. 17 and 18) formed between the first plate portions 140 and the second plate portions 142 of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132. As such, the upper surfaces 220 are recessed relative to the second surfaces 152 of the first plate portions 140 of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132. The upper surfaces 220, together with portions of the second surfaces 162 of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132, form a recessed area 224 (FIG. 17) for receiving the decking portion 138. The decking portion 138 can be supported by the joists 136 via contact of the decking portion 138 with the upper surfaces 220 of the joists 136. The decking portion 138 can then be attached to the joists 136 using, for example, fasteners and/or adhesives applied between the decking portion 138 and the upper surfaces 220. Furthermore, one or more of the joists 136 can include one or more lips 226 to increase the sizes of the upper surfaces 220 to correspondingly increase the area of contact of the joists 136 with the decking portion 138. For example, as depicted in FIG. 15, the joists 136 along lateral sides of the flooring panels 14 can each include one of the lips 226. The lips 226 can also be used for attachment to the decking portion 138 using, for example, fasteners and/or adhesives.

[0050] The decking portion 138 can be made from one or more layers or portions of synthetic or non-synthetic materials such as, for example, polymers, metals, ceramics, or woods, and/or composites thereof. The decking portion 138 can have a length and width that are sized to fit within the dimensions of the recessed area 224. Furthermore, the decking portion 138 can have a thickness that corresponds to the depth of the recessed area 138, and thus, an upper surface 228 (FIG. 14) of the decking portion 138 can be flush, substantially flush, or semi-flush with the second surfaces 152 of the first plate portions 140 of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132.

[0051] After the scaffolding framework 12 is constructed, a multitude of the flooring panels 14 can be assembled to and supported by the parallel sets of the support beams 20 to form the leveled deck 16 (FIG. 1) and complete assembly of the elevated flooring system 10. To illustrate, as depicted in FIG. 21, one of the flooring panels 14 can be positioned between and supported by a first one and a second one of the support beams 20.

[0052] In doing so, the first surfaces 150 of the first portions 140 of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132 ultimately contact the upper surfaces 60 of the first one and the second one of the support beams 20, the first surface 160 of the second portion 142 of the first end portion 130 ultimately contacts the second side surface 66 of the first one of the support beams 20, and the first surface 160 of the second portion 142 of the second end portion 132 ultimately contacts the first side surface 64 of the second one of the support beams 20.

[0053] Contact of portions of the flooring panels 14 with the upper surfaces 60 of the support beams 20 serves to transfer vertical loads 230 (FIG. 22) applied to the flooring panels 14 to the support beams 20 and the support structure 22, and contact of portions of the flooring panels 14 with the first side surface 64 or the second side surface 66 of the support beams 20 serves to transfer horizontal loads 232 (FIG. 22) applied to the flooring panels 14 to the support beams 20 and the support structure 22. Thus, after assembly of the elevated flooring system 10 (FIG. 1), the vertical loads 230 and the horizontal loads 232 applied to the flooring panels 14 are transferred to the scaffolding framework 12.

[0054] Furthermore, as depicted in FIG. 22, the ultimate contact of portions of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132 of a first one and a second one, respectively, of the flooring panels 14 with the support beam 20 can ultimately serve in reducing deflection of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132 by resisting moments of inertia 234 applied thereto. Via such contact, the support beam 20 can reinforce the first end portion 130 of the first one of the flooring panel 14 and the second end portion 132 of the second one of the flooring panel 14 to resist the moments of inertia 234 and inhibit defection thereof. To illustrate, as depicted in FIG. 22, use of the support beam 20, and the contact of the first surfaces 150 of the first portions 140 of the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132 of the first one and the second one of the flooring panels 14 to the upper surface 60 of the support beam 20, the contact of the second portion 142 of the first end portion 130 of the first one of the flooring panels 14 with the second side surface 66 of the support beam 20, and the contact of the second portion 142 of the second end portion 132 of the second one of the flooring panels 14 with the first side surface 64 of the support beam 20 can serve to strengthen the first end portion 130 of the first one of the flooring panels 14 and the second end portion 132 of the second one of the flooring panels 14 to resist deflection of and the movements of inertia 234 applied to the first end portion 130 and the second end portion 132. Inhibiting such deflection can provide a safe feeling to users walking on the flooring panels 14 and the leveled deck 16 formed thereby. Such contact of the first end portions 130 and the second end portions 132 to the support beams 20 also sandwiches the support beams 20 therebetween and can serve in preventing deformation and deflection of the support beams 20 to correspondingly strengthens the support provided by the scaffolding framework 12.

[0055] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.