Access Floor Panel

Abstract

An access floor panel ( 180 ) comprises a central core ( 2 ), a lower tray ( 20 ), and an upper flooring lid ( 10 ) which form an envelope for the core ( 2 ). The panels have a fire resistant seal or barrier ( 25 ) for sealing between the tray and lid ( 20, 10 ). The ends of the tray and lid ( 20, 10 ) are kept apart and the barrier ( 25 ) seals against the core ( 2 ) and each of the ends ( 181, 182 ) of the tray and lid ( 20, 10 ) to complete the enclosure. The seal ( 25 ) acts as a fire stop.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . An access floor panel comprising:—
 a core within a shell comprising a bottom tray and a top lid;   the bottom tray comprising a tray bottom and tray side walls extending upwardly from the tray bottom;   the top lid comprising a lid top and lid side walls depending downwardly from the lid top;   the ends of the tray and lid side walls being separated and a barrier being provided between the ends.   
   
   
       30 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the barrier is a fire resistant barrier. 
   
   
       31 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the barrier forms a seal. 
   
   
       32 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein there is engagement means between the barrier and the tray and lid ends. 
   
   
       33 . The panel as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the tray and/or lid ends define a channel for reception of the barrier. 
   
   
       34 . The panel as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the barrier has a slot or recess for interengagement with the lid and/or tray ends. 
   
   
       35 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the barrier extends proud of the side edge of the panel. 
   
   
       36 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the lid end portion is wrapped around the tray end portion. 
   
   
       37 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the tray end portion is wrapped around the lid end portion. 
   
   
       38 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the barrier extends to an upper face of the panel to provide a panel side edge. 
   
   
       39 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  comprising retaining means for retaining the barrier in place. 
   
   
       40 . The panel as claimed in  claim 39  wherein the retaining means comprises portion of the barrier. 
   
   
       41 . The panel as claimed in  claim 40  wherein the retaining means is integral with the barrier. 
   
   
       42 . The panel as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the retaining means comprises at least one formation on the barrier. 
   
   
       43 . The panel as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the formulation comprises a barb formation. 
   
   
       44 . The panel as claimed in  claim 39  wherein the retaining means comprises a separate component. 
   
   
       45 . The panel as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the separate component comprises a fixing means. 
   
   
       46 . The panel as claimed in  claim 45  wherein the fixing means comprises a staple or pin. 
   
   
       47 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the barrier is bonded to the core. 
   
   
       48 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the lid side and tray sides are substantially co-planar. 
   
   
       49 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the lid side and tray side are offset. 
   
   
       50 . The panel is claimed in  claim 29  wherein the barrier extends substantially fully around the periphery of the panel. 
   
   
       51 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  comprising an intumescent element or material. 
   
   
       52 . The panel as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the barrier comprises an intumescent element or material. 
   
   
       53 . The panel is claimed in  claim 29  wherein the barrier comprises a substrate or backing and an intumescent element. 
   
   
       54 . The access floor system comprising a plurality of panels as claimed in  claim 29 .