Raised floor access panel
View Patent ↗A raised floor access panel is provided which includes a substantially flat panel having an upper load supporting surface and a lower surface to be supported on a plurality of pedestal support members each adjacent to a corner of the panel, and at least one panel lifter having a top wall and two side walls, the side walls slidably extending through a first and second slots in a plate rigidly attached to the lower surface for vertical travel of the top wall and side walls upwardly, through a generally rectangular panel recess.
1. An interchangeable raised access floor panel, comprising:
(a) a floor panel plate having four right angle corner portions, four lateral edge portions, a substantially flat upper load bearing surface, and a lower surface, the lower surface in order to support the floor panel plate at each of the four corner portions on a pedestal support head member, the upper load bearing surface and the lower surface defining a floor panel plate thickness;
(b) at least one handle movably connected to the floor panel plate adjacent to at least one of the lateral edge portions, the handle having a substantially rectangular top plate, and two opposing vertical side plates, the top plate having a thickness substantially equal to the floor panel plate thickness and a cut-out portion in order to lift the handle, the side plates each having an upper portion connected to the top plate and a lower portion having a lug in order to bias against the lower surface of the floor panel plate when the handle is operated upwardly in a lifting position; and
(c) a substantially rectangular clear hole in the floor panel top plate positioned in order to receive the handle top plate when the handle is operated downwardly in a position wherein the floor panel top plate is planar to the upper load bearing surface.
2. The interchangeable access floor panel according to claim 1 , further comprising,
(a) four threaded collars in the floor panel plate, one each of the collars positioned adjacent to one of the corner portions; and
(b) four set screws, each having an upper tool receiving end and a lower foot end, the lower foot end biasing against the pedestal support head for urging the set screws against the pedestal support head when the set screws are operated in order to permit vertical adjustment of the floor panel plate in relation to the pedestal support head.
3. A raised floor access panel, comprising:
(a) a substantially flat floor panel having an upper load supporting surface and a lower surface to be supported on a plurality of pedestal support members each adjacent to a corner of the floor panel;
(b) at least one panel lifter handle having a top wall and two side walls, the side walls slidably extending through a first and second slots in a plate rigidly attached to the lower surface of the floor panel for vertical travel of the panel lifter handle top wall and side walls upwardly, through a generally rectangular floor panel recess for removing the floor panel from the pedestal support members; and
(c) an angle bracket extending downwardly from an underside of the plate and an adjustable corner lock pivotally mounted on the bracket, the corner lock on a lever arm actuated by a side wall of the panel lifter handle to forcefully bias the panel against the pedestal.
4. The raised floor access panel according to claim 3 further comprising, a lock mounted in the top wall of the panel lifter handle and extending through a hole in the plate for securing the corner lock against the pedestals.
5. The raised floor access panel according to claim 3 further, comprising a panel lock mounted through a hole in the plate, the hole circumscribing the lock in the top wall of the panel lifter handle, and a latch attached to the top wall of the panel lifter handle and extending through a third slot in the plate for securing the panel corner lock against the pedestal members.