Load distribution structures for raised floor data center

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10161141-B2
Application number	US-201715832913-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2017
Priority date	May 5, 2017
Publication date	Dec 25, 2018
Grant date	Dec 25, 2018

Abstract

Load distribution structures are provided for a raised floor tile(s) of a raised floor data center. The load distribution structure, which resides adjacent to an opening in the raised floor tile(s), such as a cutout in the raised floor tile(s), to facilitate supporting a frame load, includes a frame load distributor and an edging bracket. The frame load distributor resides on the raised floor tile adjacent to the opening in the raised floor tile(s), and distributes, at least in part, the frame load on the raised floor tile(s). The edging bracket couples to the frame load distributor to, at least in part, hold the frame load distributor in fixed position on the raised floor tile(s). The edging bracket extends, at least in part, into the opening in the raised floor tile to secure the frame load distributor in fixed position relative to the opening in the raised floor tile(s).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a load distribution structure for a floor tile to facilitate distributing a frame load on the floor tile, the load distribution structure comprising:
a frame load distributor to reside on the floor tile adjacent to an opening in the floor tile, the frame load distributor to distribute, at least in part, the frame load on the floor tile;
an edging bracket coupled to the frame load distributor to, at least in part, hold the frame load distributor in fixed position on the floor tile, the edging bracket extending, at least in part, into the opening in the floor tile to in part secure the frame load distributor in fixed position relative to the opening in the floor tile;
wherein the opening in the floor tile is a cutout of the floor tile, and the edging bracket further extends into the cutout, covering an upper edge of the floor tile at the cutout to protect conduit passing through the cutout; and
wherein the edging bracket further wraps over the frame load distributor and holds the frame load distributor on the floor tile at a set, spaced distance from an edge of the cutout in the floor tile.

2. A data center comprising:
a floor structure comprising multiple floor tiles, a floor tile of the multiple floor tiles comprising an opening for passing conduit through the floor tile;
a frame disposed on the floor structure, including on the floor tile comprising the opening; and
a load distribution structure disposed on the floor tile to facilitate distributing a frame load on the floor tile, the load distribution structure comprising:
a frame load distributor disposed on the floor tile adjacent to the opening, the frame load distributor distributing, at least in part, the load of the frame on the floor tile; and
an edging bracket coupled to the frame load distributor to, in part, hold the frame load distributor in fixed position on the floor tile, the edging bracket extending, at least in part, into the opening in the floor tile to in part secure the frame load distributor in fixed position relative to the opening in the floor tile.

3. The data center of claim 2 , wherein the opening in the floor tile is a cutout of the floor tile, and the edging bracket further extends into the cutout, covering an upper edge of the floor tile at the cutout to protect conduit, passing through the cutout.

4. The data center of claim 3 , wherein the edging bracket further wraps over the frame load distributor and holds the frame load distributor on the floor tile at a set, spaced distance from an edge of the cutout in the floor tile.

5. The data center of claim 3 , wherein the edging bracket further extends into the cutout and includes a lower flange extending around a lower edge of the floor tile at the cutout, and overlying and engaging, at least in part, a lower surface of the floor tile, the lower flange engaging the lower surface of the floor tile facilitating the load distribution structure in providing further structural support to the floor tile.

6. The data center of claim 3 , wherein the frame load distributor comprises multiple interlocking bar sections, and the load distribution structure further includes multiple fasteners securing the edging bracket to the frame load distributor, the multiple fasteners also securing together the multiple interlocking bar sections.

7. The data center of claim 6 , wherein the multiple interlocking bar sections include at least one z-shaped interlocking bar section.

8. The data center of claim 3 , wherein the edging bracket comprises a bracket assembly including multiple preconfigured bracket sections disposed, at least in part, side-by-side, and secured to the frame load distributor by multiple fasteners.

9. The data center of claim 8 , wherein the frame load distributor comprises multiple interlocking bar sections, the multiple fasteners further facilitating securing together the multiple interlocking bar sections of the frame load distributor.

10. The data center of claim 9 , wherein the multiple interlocking bar sections include at least one z-shaped interlocking bar section.

11. A method of facilitating supporting a frame on a floor structure of a data center,
the method comprising:
providing a load distribution structure for at least one floor tile of the floor structure, the load distribution structure to facilitate supporting a frame load on the at least one floor tile, the providing of the load distribution structure including:
providing a frame load distributor to reside on the at least one floor tile adjacent to the opening in the at least one floor tile, the frame load distributor to distribute, at least in part, the frame load on the at least one floor tile;
providing an edging bracket coupled to the frame load distributor to, at least in part, hold the frame load distributor in fixed position on the floor tile, the edging bracket extending, at least in part, into the opening in the floor tile to in part secure the frame load distributor in fixed position relative to the opening in the floor tile;
wherein the opening in the floor tile is a cutout of the floor tile, and the edging bracket further extends into the cutout, covering an upper edge of the floor tile at the cutout to protect conduit passing through the cutout; and
wherein the edging bracket further wraps over the frame load distributor and holds the frame load distributor on the floor tile at a set, spaced distance from an edge of the cutout in the floor tile.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Canfield Shawn
• Loparco John J
• Notohardjono Budy D
• Torok John G

Classifications

• E04F15/02452

  Details of junctions between the supporting structures and the panels or a panel-supporting framework · CPC title

• E04F17/08

  for receiving utility lines, e.g. cables, pipes (covers giving access to the ducts or channels, covers of inspection holes E04F19/08) · CPC title

• E04F15/02458 Primary

  Framework supporting the panels · CPC title

• E04B5/43

  Floor structures of extraordinary design; Features relating to the elastic stability; Floor structures specially designed for resting on columns only, e.g. mushroom floors ({anchoring devices for balconies with means for preventing cold bridging E04B1/0038}; extraordinary constructions in general E04B1/34) · CPC title

• E04F2290/02

  for accommodating service installations or utility lines, e.g. heating conduits, electrical lines, lighting devices or service outlets · CPC title