Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
VIEW FLOOR TILE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/125217
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
View tiles for raised access flooring and processes to form such tiles are provided. In some embodiments, a view tile can include a frame having multiple frame members, each including a flange and a channel. Each of the multiple frame members also can include a first recess and a second recess opposite to the first recess. The multiple members can be coupled pairwise to one another, thus defining, in one aspect, an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter of the frame. An opaque plate can be coupled to the flange of each of the multiple frame members, and can include multiples through holes. A transparent cover plate can be disposed within the inner perimeter and adjacent a top surface of the opaque plate. The view tile can further include multiple mounting members that can support devices and/or other types of components.

Inventors:
SEWARD RYAN (US)
VANHEEL JEFFREY D (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2016/069515
Publication Date:
July 05, 2018
Filing Date:
December 30, 2016
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
INTEL CORP (US)
International Classes:
E04F15/024; E04F15/02
Foreign References:
CN204401959U2015-06-17
US20050034390A12005-02-17
CN2458387Y2001-11-07
EP0128428A21984-12-19
US20160362897A12016-12-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GRIFFIN, Malvern, U. III et al. (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A floor tile assembly, comprising:

a frame comprising a plurality of frame members, each of the plurality of frame members comprising a flange and defining a channel, each of the flange and the channel extending along a longitudinal axis of each respective one of the plurality of frame members from substantially a first end to substantially a distal second end opposite the first end, wherein the channel is positioned opposite to a planar surface extending from substantially the first end to substantially the second end;

wherein the first end of each respective one of the plurality of frame members is coupled to a second end of a second respective one of the plurality of frame members, the plurality of frame members defining an inner perimeter; and

a backing plate coupled to at least one of the plurality of frame members, the backing plate comprising a plurality of openings through the backing plate.

2. The floor tile assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of frame members further comprise a first recess opposite to the channel and a second recess opposite to the first recess, each of the first recess and the second recess extending along the longitudinal axis of each respective one of the plurality of frame members from substantially the first end to substantially the distal second end.

3. The floor tile assembly of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of frame members comprise:

a first frame member having a first longitudinal axis;

a second frame member having a second longitudinal axis;

wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis form a defined angle, wherein the defined angle is approximately 90 degrees, and wherein a length of the first frame member is substantially equal to a length of the second frame member. 4. The floor tile assembly of any of claims 1 , 2, or 3, wherein the frame is formed from a metal, an alloy of a first metal and a second metal, or an alloy of a third metal and a non- metal element.

5. The floor tile assembly of any of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, further comprising a cover member disposed within the inner perimeter defined by the plurality of frame members and disposed adjacent a top surface of the backing plate, the cover member covering at least a portion of the plurality of openings.

6. The floor tile assembly of claim 5, wherein the cover member is substantially transparent.

7. The floor tile assembly of any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, further comprising a plurality of mounting members, a first mounting member of the plurality of mounting members affixed to the frame and a second mounting member of the plurality of mounting members affixed to the frame, wherein the first mounting member is arranged substantially parallel to the second mounting member. 8. The floor tile assembly of claim 7, wherein the first mounting member comprises a first strut arranged substantially parallel to the frame, a second strut affixed to a first end of the first strut, and a third strut affixed to a second end of the first strut.

9. The floor tile of any of claims 7 or 8, wherein the second mounting member comprises a fourth strut arranged substantially parallel to the frame, a fifth strut affixed to a first end of the fourth strut, and a sixth strut affixed to a second end of the fourth strut.

10. The floor tile assembly of claim 9, wherein the first strut of the first mounting member and the fourth strut of the second mounting member are configured to support a rail having at least one of a fluid control device or a metering device.

11. The floor tile assembly of any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, wherein the backing plate comprises a first brace and a second brace coupled to a bottom surface of the backing plate, the first brace extending along a first principal axis of the backing plate, and the second brace extending along a second principal axis of the backing plate.

12. The floor tile assembly of any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, wherein the plurality of frame members comprises a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member, and wherein the inner perimeter is a rectangular shape.

13. A method for constructing a floor tile, comprising:

providing a frame comprising:

a first frame member comprising a first flange and defining a first channel, each of the first flange and the first channel extending along a first longitudinal axis of the first frame member from substantially a first end to substantially a second end opposite to the first end of the frame member, the first channel positioned along a bottom side of the first frame member opposite to a substantially planar top surface of the first frame member; and a second frame member having a second flange and defining a second channel, each of the second flange and the second channel extending along a second longitudinal axis of the second frame member from substantially a first end of the second frame member to substantially a second end of the second frame member opposite to the first end of the second frame member, the second channel positioned along a second bottom side of the second frame member opposite to a second substantially planar top surface of the second frame member;

coupling the first end of the second frame member to the second end of the first frame member at a defined angle;

providing a first backing plate comprising a plurality of openings; and

mounting the first backing plate to the frame.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first frame member further comprises a first recess opposite to the first channel and a second recess opposite to the first recess, each of the first recess and the second recess extending along the first longitudinal axis.

15. The method of any of claims 13 or 14, further comprising:

providing a second plate, and

positioning the second plate adjacent a top surface of the first backing plate.

16. The method of any of claims 13, 14, or 15, wherein providing the first frame member comprises extruding a stick from a die defining an opening to form the first flange and the first channel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the defined angle is approximately 90 degrees, and wherein providing the first frame member further comprises:

cutting the extruded stick along the second end at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the first longitudinal axis of the first frame member, resulting in a second extruded stick; and

cutting the second extruded stick at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second extruded stick. 18. The method of any of claims 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17, wherein coupling the first end of the second frame member to the second end of the first frame member comprises coupling the first frame member and the second frame member by welding or applying an adhesive.

19. The method of any of claims 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18, further comprising affixing a plurality of mounting members to the backing plate, wherein a first mounting member of the plurality of mounting members is arranged substantially parallel to a second mounting member of the plurality of mounting members.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising bonding a first portion of a rail to the first mounting member, and bonding a second portion of the rail to the second mounting member.

21. A raised access floor system comprising:

a floor grid comprising a plurality of grid openings;

a plurality of stanchions coupled to the floor grid and configured to support the floor grid a desired height above a floor surface, each of the plurality of stanchions comprising a bottom end and a distal stanchion head, the bottom end disposed adjacent the floor surface and the stanchion head disposed adjacent the floor grid;

a plurality of floor tiles, each of the plurality of floor tiles disposed within a respective one of the grid openings, the plurality of floor tiles comprising at least one view tile comprising:

a frame comprising a plurality of frame members, each of the plurality of frame members comprising a flange and defining a channel, each of the flange and the channel extending along a longitudinal axis of each respective one of the plurality of frame members from substantially a first end to substantially a distal second end opposite the first end, wherein the channel is positioned opposite to a planar top surface of each respective one of the plurality of frame members extending from substantially the first end to substantially the second end and wherein at least a portion of the channel is disposed adjacent the stanchion head of at least one of the plurality of stanchions;

wherein the first end of each respective one of the plurality of frame members is coupled to a second end of a second respective one of the plurality of frame members, the plurality of frame members defining an inner perimeter; and

a backing plate coupled to at least one of the plurality of frame members, the backing plate comprising a plurality of openings through the backing plate.

22. The raised access floor system of claim 21, wherein the backing plate is coupled to and positioned along a top side of the flange of the at least one of the plurality of frame members.

23. The raised access floor system of any of claims 21 or 22, wherein each of the plurality of frame members further comprise a first recess opposite to the channel and a second recess opposite to the first recess, each of the first recess and the second recess extending along the longitudinal axis of each respective one of the plurality of frame members from substantially the first end to substantially the distal second end, wherein at least one of the first recess and the second recess abuts the stanchion head of the at least one of the plurality of stanchions.

24. The raised access floor system of any of claims 21 , 22, or 23, further comprising a cover member disposed within the inner perimeter defined by the plurality of frame members and disposed adjacent a top surface of the backing plate, the cover member covering at least a portion of the plurality of openings.

25. The raised access floor system of any of claims 21, 22, 23, or 24, further comprising a plurality of mounting members, a first mounting member of the plurality of mounting members affixed to the frame and a second mounting member of the plurality of mounting members affixed to the frame, wherein the first mounting member is arranged substantially parallel to the second mounting member.

Description:
VIEW FLOOR TILE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to raised access floor systems and more specifically to an apparatus and system for see-through floor tile for a raised access floor system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Semiconductor manufacturers, telecommunication service providers, healthcare service providers, government organizations, and other industries can rely on raised access flooring or raised platform flooring for distribution and access to utilities (gas, electricity, and/or water) or other type of resources for conducting specific operations. Equipment or other types of components for the distribution of the utilities, for example, can be deployed in a space under the raised flooring within a facility, such as a data center, a network control center, a surgery room, a clean room, or the like. To that end, conventional raised access flooring can be assembled as an array of tiles, either solid or perforated, having a

substantially common size. The tiles can be maintained at a desired height above a traditional floor (e.g., a concrete, wood, or composite floor) by an array of stanchions and/or pedestals. After assembly of the tiles constituting the array, the raised access floor that is assembled can flex, bend, expand, contract or otherwise relax to a mechanical equilibrium that provides integrity and mechanical stability to the raised access floor. As such, changes to the tile spacing and/or shape of an area designed to receive a tile on the raised access floor after an initial use and when needed to accommodate new functionality, for example, can make it difficult or expensive to subsequently add new or additional tiles due to variations in changes that can occur in each tile space. Therefore, much remains to be improved in the design and assembly of raised access flooring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The accompanying drawings are an integral part of the disclosure and are incorporated into the subject specification. The drawings illustrate example embodiments of the disclosure and, in conjunction with the description and claims, serve to explain, at least in part, various principles, features, or aspects of the disclosure. Some example embodiments of the disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various aspects of the disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like, but not necessarily the same, elements throughout.

[0004] FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of an example of a frame included in a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 2 presents a cross-sectional view of the frame member shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 3 presents a partial isometric view of another example of a frame included in a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 4A presents a top perspective view of an example of a back plate included in a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 4B presents a bottom perspective view of the back plate shown in FIG. 4A, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 5 presents an exploded perspective view of an example of an assembly including a frame, a back plate, and a cover member in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 6 presents examples of devices that can be coupled to a portion of a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 7 presents a perspective view of examples of mounting members that can be coupled to a portion of a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 8A presents a side perspective view of an example of a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 8B presents a top perspective view of the premanufactured view tile shown in FIG. 8A, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 9 presents an example of a raised access floor system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The disclosure recognizes and addresses, in at least some embodiments, the issue of reduction of time and cost of installation of devices (e.g., fluid control devices, electrical devices, and/or metering devices) or other components located under a raised metal floor (RMF) or other types of raised access floors. One or more of the devices or other components can permit or otherwise facilitate the operation of tools or other equipment (e.g., reactors, vacuum pumps, deposition chambers, and the like) located either on the raised access floor or on a steel pedestal. While mechanical equilibrium reached after the construction of the RMF or other type of raised access floor provides mechanical stability and rigidity to the floor, changes to the floor that entail, for example, adding a view tile in order to visually monitor and/or access a newly added device or component positioned under that view tile can result in removal of a tile to be replaced and structural adaptations to the tile. The adaptations can include cutting and removing material from the tile, and can be responsive to the intended incorporation a view tile into the raised access floor and to structural deformation (due to compression, for example) of the tile and or the space the tile fit into as the raised access floor attained mechanical equilibrium. Embodiments of the disclosure can permit or otherwise facilitate multiple items to be attached to the framing of a view tile outside of the cleanroom in a fabrication shop, tested and accepted, and incorporated into the a space in the raised access floor without adaptations to the view tile and regardless the type of raised access flooring surrounding the view tile that is added. As such, the view tile in accordance with the disclosure can be referred to as a premanufactured view tile. Premanufactured view tiles in accordance with the disclosure can physically fit within the confined spaces provided within a raised access floor of a fabrication facility (such as a clean room) regardless of the origin of a nearest-neighbor flooring already in place or the design of a stanchion head of the nearest-neighbor flooring.

[0016] As is described in greater detail below, a premanufactured view tile in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure can include a frame constructed with multiple frame members, each having a planar surface. The respective planar surfaces of the multiple frame members can be substantially contained within a common plane, and the union of the respective planar surfaces can form a top planar surface of the frame. The multiple frame members define an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter of the premanufactured view tile. The inner perimeter can correspond to the union of respective inner sides of the frame members. While some example embodiments of the disclosure are described in connection with the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the frame corresponding to a same geometric shape, the disclosure is not so limited and the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter can correspond to different geometric shapes in other example embodiments. The outer perimeter can be determined by a type of grid array of a raised access floor into which the premanufactured tile is incorporated. Thus, in some aspects, the outer perimeter can be, for example, in the shape of a triangle, a rectangle, a hexagon, or the like. The inner perimeter of the frame can be adjacent a flange or other structure that can support or otherwise receive an opaque plate that provides mechanical rigidity to the premanufactured view tile. To that end, in one example embodiment, each of the multiple frame members can have a longitudinal axis and can include a flange extending along the longitudinal axis of each respective one of the multiple frame members from substantially a first end of the respective frame member to substantially a distal second end opposite the first end of the respective frame member. The opaque plate can be formed, for example, from a metal, alloy, or composite and can include or otherwise define openings or passageways through the opaque plate. At least one of the openings can permit viewing a device or a component arranged underneath the premanufactured view tile and below the bottom side of the opaque plate. The premanufactured view tile also can include a transparent or substantially transparent plate that can be placed within the inner perimeter of the frame and positioned adjacent or above a top surface of the opaque plate. In some aspects, the transparent plate can have a planar top surface aligned with another planar top surface of the frame. Thus, the premanufactured view tile can have a substantially planar top surface.

[0017] In addition, each of the multiple frame members that constitute the frame of a premanufactured view tile can include or otherwise define a channel that extends along the longitudinal axis of each respective one of the multiple frame members from substantially a first end of the respective frame member to substantially a distal second end opposite the first end of the respective frame member. In some example embodiments, the channel can be positioned along a bottom side of each respective frame member and opposite that of the planar top surface of the respective frame member. In addition, the channel can extend from substantially the first end of the respective frame member to substantially the second end of the respective frame member. In some example embodiments, the channel can permit or otherwise facilitate the respective frame member to be coupled to one or multiple mounting members. For instance, a mounting member can be affixed (removably or otherwise) to a side wall of the channel, the side wall being adjacent a flange of the frame member including the channel. Each of the mounting members also can be coupled to a rail that can include one or more devices or components mounted onto the rail. Each of the multiple frame members can also include a first recess provided along an inner side of a side wall of the respective frame member and extending along a first longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a second longitudinal axis along which the channel extends. Each of the multiple frame members also can include a second recess opposite to the first recess and provided along an outer side of side wall of the respective frame member. In one example embodiment, the first recess and the second recess extend along the longitudinal axis of the respective frame member. The first recess can include a first side surface and a first bottom surface. In one example embodiment, the first recess can be L-shaped or substantially L-shaped and the first side surface and the first bottom surface can be orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to one another. The second recess can include a second side surface and a second bottom surface. In one example embodiment, the second recess can be L-shaped or substantially L-shaped and the second side surface and the second bottom surface can be orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to one another. In some example embodiments, the first recess and the second recess can permit or otherwise facilitate mounting the frame on a stanchion head or a pedestal head. The frame also can include one or more openings that can receive respective one or more fastening members to couple the frame to the stanchion head or the pedestal head.

[0018] Embodiments of the disclosure can provide numerous advantages over conventional tiles or other types of modular flooring assemblies commonly utilized in raised access flooring. One potential advantage includes the modularity of a premanufactured view tile in accordance with one or more example embodiments of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, the premanufactured view tile can be assembled and used in raised access floorings in multiple fabrication facilities. For example, the arrangement of the recesses included in the premanufactured view tile can provide flexibility in engaging various types of channels that may be present in respective stanchion heads or pedestal heads that provide vertical support for the raised access floorings. As such, the premanufactured view tile can be utilized in raised access flooring having support members from different manufacturers and/or other tiles of different brands, the premanufactured modular assembly being configured to connect to or rest between such other tiles. Accordingly, costs associated with updating an access raised floor to new operations within a confined space having the access raised floor can be reduced due, at least in part, to the modularity of the

premanufactured view tile. Another potential advantage includes offsite fabrication, which permits or otherwise facilitates rapid deployment, low cost, and reduced congestion in the field. Other costs associated with installation and/or maintenance of a raised access floor may also be reduced.

[0019] With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a frame 100 included in a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure. In one example, the frame 100 can include a frame member 110 1; a frame member 1 I O2, a frame member 1 I O 3 , and a frame member 1 I O4. In other example embodiments, the number of frame members 110 can be greater or fewer than four and the positioning of frame members 110 with respect to one another can be different than that shown (e.g., in a different geometric shape). Each of the frame members 1 lOi-l 10 4 has a defined outer side length L (a real number in units of length, e.g., 2 ft.) from a first end to a second distal end opposite to the first end. Each of the frame members 1 lOi- 110 4 can be formed, for example, from a metal (e.g., Al, Ti); a binary metal alloy including a first metal and a second metal; a ternary metal alloy including the first metal, the second metal, and a third metal; an alloy of a fourth metal and a non-metal element; an alloy of a fifth metal, a sixth metal, and a non-metal (such as stainless steel); other types of alloys; a ceramic material; or a plastic material. Therefore, in some example embodiments, the frame 100 is formed from the metal, the first alloy, the second alloy, the ceramic, the plastic, or a combination thereof. In addition, in some example embodiments, each of the frame members 1 lOi-l 10 4 can be bonded or otherwise coupled to another one of the frame members 1 lOi- 110 4 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. Thus, in one aspect, the bonded or otherwise coupled frames form a square frame having a rectangular or square inner perimeter and a square outer perimeter. In other example embodiments, each of the frame members 110 can be bonded or otherwise coupled to another one of the frame members at an angle less than or greater than 90 degrees (e.g., 60 degrees - triangle, 108 degrees - pentagon, 120 degrees - hexagon, 135 degrees - octagon, etc.). In some example embodiments, a side of the rectangular or square outer perimeter can correspond to the defined length L. In other example embodiments, the side of the rectangular or square outer perimeter can be greater than the defined length L. In some embodiments, a raised access floor including the premanufactured view tile can have a grid array of 2 ft x 2 ft floor tiles (solid or perforated, or a combination of both) that can span all or portions of a surface of a concrete floor that supports the raised access floor within a clean room or other type of confined space in a fabrication facility. Thus, in some example embodiments, L can be approximately equal to 2 feet. In some example embodiments, such as in a clean room manufacturing floor, the raised access floor also can include a floor stringer that can be suspended at about 2 feet from the surface of the concrete slab.

[0020] In some example embodiments, a first frame member and a second frame member of the frame 100 can be bonded or otherwise coupled by welding one another; or by treating an edge surface of one of the first frame member or the second frame member with an adhesive (e.g., a heat-curable epoxy) and contacting the edge surface with another edge surface of the other member. An epoxy interface so formed between the first frame member and the second frame member can be cured by heating such an interface at a defined temperature for a defined period. In another example embodiment, screws, bolts, or other coupling devices may be used to couple the first frame member to the second frame member.

[0021] Each pair of bonded or otherwise coupled frame members of the frame members 1 l Oi-l 10 4 defines an opening configured to receive a fastening member (e.g., a screw, a pin or bar, or the like). Specifically, frame member 1 10i and frame member 1 1(¾ define opening 120i; frame member I I O2 and frame member I I O 3 define opening 12(½; frame member I IO 3 and frame member 1 I O4 define opening I2O 3 ; and frame member 1 IO4 and frame member l l Oi define opening 120 4 . Openings 120i-120 4 can be configured to receive the fastening member to couple or otherwise fasten the frame 100 to a stanchion head or a pedestal head (neither one depicted in FIG. 1) utilized to maintain a raised access floor tile at a specific distance above a concrete slab that supports the raised access floor in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, the stanchion head or the pedestal head can be coupled to a support member (not depicted) at a first end of the support member, which is itself coupled to the support base at a distal second end opposite the first end. The support base can be bolted or otherwise mounted, via fastening members, to the concrete slab that supports the raised access floor and/or, in some instances, one or more steel pedestals. After the raised floor is completely constructed out and all the tiles, including view tiles, are coupled to the raised access floor, the raised access floor system acts as one structural member.

[0022] In addition, each of the frame members 1 lOi-l 10 4 can also include a flange. The flange can extend along a longitudinal axis of each respective one of the frame members 1 l Oi-l 10 4 from substantially the first end of the respective frame member to substantially a distal second end of the respective frame member opposite the first end. Specifically, in one example, the frame member 1 l Oi has a flange 130i, the frame member 110 2 has a flange 130 2 , the frame member 1 10 3 has a flange 130 3 , and the frame member 110 4 has a flange 130 4 .

[0023] Each of the frame members 1 l Oi-l 10 4 includes a channel that extends along the longitudinal axis from substantially the first end of the respective frame member to substantially the distal second end of the respective frame member. In one example embodiment, the channel is bound by a first surface opposite a planar top surface of the respective frame member, a second surface substantially perpendicular to the first surface, and a third surface positioned opposite to the second surface and also substantially perpendicular to the first surface. In addition, the channel is positioned along a bottom side of the respective frame member opposite to a planar top side surface of the respective frame member and extends from the first end to the distal second end of a respective one of the frame members 1 lOi-l IO4.

[0024] In addition, each of the frame members 1 lOi-l 10 4 can include a first recess provided along an inner side of a side wall of a respective one of the frame members 1 l Oi- 110 4 . The first recess also extends along a longitudinal axis of the frame members 1 lOi-l 10 4 , from substantially the first end to the distal second end of a respective one of the frame members 1 l Oi-l 10 4 . Each of the frame members 1 l Oi-l 10 4 also can include a second recess provided along an outer side of the side wall of the respective one of the frames 1 lOi-l 10 4 , the second recess positioned opposite to the first recess. The second recess also extends along a longitudinal axis of the respective one of the frame members 1 lOi-l IO4. The first recess and the second recess also extend along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some implementations, the first recess and the second recess have different extents (or depths) along such a direction.

[0025] FIG. 2 presents a cross-sectional view 200 of a frame member 110, in accordance with one example embodiment of the disclosure. The cross-sectional view 200 depicts an example of the channel and recesses of the frame member 110. In some example

embodiments, the cross-sectional area 200 is uniform or substantially uniform along the longitudinal axis of the frame member up to the vicinity of or adjacent to the first and second ends of the frame member. In addition, the frame member includes a channel 210 that is positioned along a bottom side of the frame member and opposite to the top planar surface 220 of the frame member. In one example, the planar surface 220 extends from a first end of the frame member (e.g., frame member 1 lOi) to a distal second end of the frame member opposite to the first end. In one example, the channel 210 can include a first side wall 215a, a second side wall 215c, and a third wall 215c spanning from the first side wall 215a to the second side wall 215c. The third side wall 215c is substantially perpendicular to each of the first side wall 215a and the second side wall 215c. The first side wall 215a, the second side wall 215c, and the third side wall 215c can define the channel 210. A first recess 230 is positioned along an inner side of a side wall 260 of the frame member and can include a first side wall and a first top wall substantially perpendicular to the first side wall. A second recess 240 is positioned along an outer side of the side wall 260 of the frame member and also can include a second side wall and a second top wall substantially perpendicular to the second side wall. In one example embodiment, each of the recess 230 and the recess 240 extend along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame member and parallel or substantially parallel to the channel 210, and also extend along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame member. In the cross-sectional area 200, the extension of the recess 230 along such a transverse direction (also referred to as the transverse depth of the recess 230) is greater than the extension of the recess 240 along the transverse direction (also referred to as the transverse depth of the recess 240). In some example embodiments, the recess 230 and the recess 240 can permit the frame 100 to rest on a stanchion head or a pedestal head regardless of the manufacturer of the stanchion head.

[0026] Stanchion heads from different suppliers can have different structures (including channels) that can fit a portion of the frame 100. In one aspect, the recess 230 can permit the frame 100 to rest in a stanchion head (not depicted) with a deep channel. In another aspect, the recess 240 can permit the frame 100 to rest in another stanchion head (not depicted) having a shallower channel. As such, the frame 100 can replace or can be assembled next to another tile in a raised access floor regardless the manufacturer of the other tile. The channel 210 also can permit the frame 100 to rest in a stanchion head having a hollow section, for example. In contrast to conventional tiles utilized in raised access flooring, the structure of the recesses of the frame 100 can provide flexibility at the corners of the frames to adjust position of a premanufactured view tile including the frame 100 to fit a stanchion head while still permitting the tile to be fastened (e.g., screwed) to the stanchion head.

[0027] With further reference to FIG. 1, each of the frame member 1 lOi-l IO4 can be formed as a metal extrusion. As such, in some example embodiments, a frame member of the frame members 1 lOi-l 10 4 can be formed from extruded parts having a common cross- sectional area that is substantially uniform along a longitudinal axis. The cross-sectional area can be consistent with the cross-sectional area 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, in one example, the frame member (e.g., frame member 1 l Oi) can be formed by extruding a stick using a die defining an opening according the cross-sectional area 200. The stick can be formed from one of a simple metal, an alloy of a first metal and a second metal, or an alloy of a third metal and a non-metal element, such as carbon. Extruding the stick in such a fashion can yield a first extruded stick having a flange (e.g., flange 130i), a channel (e.g., channel 210), and a first recess and a second recess (e.g., recess 230 and recess 240), in accordance with aspects described herein. The first extruded stick can be cut from the extrusion. In one example, the first extruded stick can be cut at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first extruded stick. In other example embodiments, the angle of cut can be anywhere between about 1 degree and about 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first extruded stick. Cutting the first extruded stick in such a fashion can yield a second extruded stick having a first edge surface oriented at 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis. The second extruded stick can be cut at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second extruded stick, at a distance L from a distal end on the first edge surface. Cutting the second extruded stick in such a fashion can yield of an extruded part embodying the frame member.

[0028] Forming extruded parts and joining or otherwise coupling such parts as described herein can constitute an efficient process to provide a frame, such as frame 100, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. As such, with respect to the example frame 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, four extruded frame members can be formed as described herein. Each of the four extruded frame members can extend along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a distal second end opposite the first end. In addition, each of the extruded frame members can have a first edge surface including the first end and oriented at 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis, and a second edge surface including the distal second end and oriented at 135 degrees from the longitudinal axis. A first one of the four extruded frame members can be coupled or otherwise joined to a second one of the four extruded frame members at respective edge surfaces, one oriented at 45 degrees and the other oriented at 135 degrees. The second one of the four extruded frame members can be joined or otherwise coupled to a third one of the four extruded frame members at respective edge surfaces. The third one of the four extruded frame members can be joined or otherwise coupled to a fourth one of the four extruded frame members at respective edge surfaces. Joining or otherwise coupling the four extruded frame members in such a manner can yield a rectangular frame embodying the frame 100.

[0029] As mentioned, a premanufactured view tile of this disclosure can include a backing plate that provides mechanical support and rigidity to the tile, and includes or otherwise defines multiple openings through the backing plate. The multiple openings can be referred to as cutouts and can permit viewing equipment or other types of components through the premanufactured viewing tile. In one example embodiment, the size and shape of each of the cutouts is the same. In another example embodiment, the size and shape of at least two of the cutouts is different. The backing plate (not depicted in FIG. 1) can be mounted within the inner perimeter of frame 100. To that end, in one aspect, the backing plate can rest on the respective flanges 130i-130 4 of the frame members 1 l Oi-l 10 4 in FIG. 1. One such flange is represented as flange 250 in the cross-sectional area 200 shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the flanges 130ι-13θ4 of the multiple frames 1 l Oi-l IO4 can receive and provide a vertical support for a portion of the backing plate. In some example embodiments, the backing plate can be coupled to at least one of the respective flanges of the frame members 1 l Oi-l 10 4 . As mentioned, each of the respective flanges can include at least one through opening (e.g., opening 140i and opening 140 2 ) that permits or otherwise facilitates the coupling of the backing plate to the frame 100.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view 300 of an example of a portion of the example frame 100 and a backing plate 320 mounted thereon. A portion of the frame member 1 l Oi and another portion of the frame member 110 2 in a vicinity of or adjacent the coupling region between such frame members is illustrated. A first recess and a second recess in each of the frame members 1 lOi and 110 2 form respective ones of a strip 310i and strip 310 2 . As mentioned, the frame member 110 2 and the frame member 1 lOi can include the flange 130i and the flange 130 2 . The flange 130i and a first side wall of the frame member 1 l Oi are arranged to form a first channel, and the flange 130 2 and a second side wall of the frame member 1 10 2 form a second channel. The coupling of the first frame member 1 lOi and the second frame member 1 10 2 result in an L-shaped channel in the vicinity of the coupling region between the first frame member 1 lOi and the second frame member 110 2 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, a backing plate 330 can be mounted and/or coupled to the flanges 130i and 130 2 . The backing plate 330 can include multiple openings through the backing plate 330, such as a cutout 340. While a particular shape of the cutout 340 is shown, the present disclosure is not limited in that respect and other shapes are contemplated.

[0031] FIG. 4A presents a top perspective view 400 of an example of a backing plate 410 included in a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure. The disclosure is not limited to the backing plate 410 and, in some embodiments, similar types of plate members can be included in the premanufactured view tile in accordance with this disclosure. The backing plate 410 can include multiple openings through the backing plate 410. In one example embodiment, the multiple openings include a defined number of openings arranged in a manner that is symmetric under rotations of 90 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the top planar surface 420 of the backing plate 410. Having such symmetry or another type of symmetry under a rotation of a defined angle about such an axis can provide a more uniform distribution of a weight on the backing plate with respect to other arrangements of the openings. While the particular number, size, and shape of the openings and a particular symmetric arrangement of the openings is shown, the disclosure is not limited in that respect and other numbers, sizes, and shapes of the openings and symmetries of the arrangement of the openings are contemplated. [0032] The backing plate 410 can also include a first mounting opening 430i and a second mounting opening 430 2 . Each of the first 430i and second 430 2 mounting openings can be configured to receive a fastening member and permit or otherwise facilitate coupling of the backing plate 410 to one or more flanges of respective one or more frame members of frame (e.g., frame 100) included in a premanufactured view tile in accordance with some example embodiments of this disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 4B presents a bottom perspective view 450 of the backing plate 410 in accordance with one example embodiment of the disclosure. As depicted in FIG. 4B, the backing plate 410 can include a first brace member 460 1; a second brace member 460 2 , and a third brace member 460 3 . The first brace member 460i can be placed along a first principal axis of the backing plate 410, and the second and third brace members 460 2 and 460 3 can be placed along a second principal axis of the backing plate 410. In one aspect, the first principal axis is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the second principal axis. In one example, each of the brace members 460 1; 460 2 , and 460 3 includes an elongated member having a top side coupled to the bottom surface 470 of the backing plate 410. In one example, each of the brace members 460 1; 460 2 , and 460 3 are welded to the bottom surface 470 of the backing plate and can provide additional support for a vertical force applied to the backing plate 410 at one or more locations on the top surface 420.

[0034] A premanufactured view tile in accordance with the disclosure having a backing plate or another type of plate member mounted to a frame (e.g., frame 100) can be covered with a cover plate or another type of cover member. As is illustrated in FIG. 5, the premanufactured view tile can include the frame 100, the backing plate 410, and a cover member 510. In some example embodiments, the cover member 510 can provide a flooring finish and/or can ensure personnel safety. In addition, the cover member 510 can be painted or otherwise treated to include suitable signage (not depicted in FIG. 5) on a planar top surface 520, a bottom surface, or between the planar top surface 520 and the bottom surface of the cover member 510. In other embodiments, rather than treating the cover member 510, an attachment member 530 can be coupled to the frame 100, where the attachment member 520 can include a painted or otherwise treated planar surface including the signage. The cover member 510 can be transparent or substantially transparent and can have, for example, a planar top surface 520 and a planar bottom surface opposite to the top surface. For example, the cover member 510 can be embodied in or can include a glass slab or a slab of another material, such as a plastic material, a ceramic material, or a combination of the foregoing, that is substantially transparent. In one aspect, the planar top surface 520 of the cover member 510 can be exposed to the ambient of the confined space having a raised access floor including the premanufactured view tile. As such, the planar top surface 520 of the cover member 510 can be registered or otherwise aligned with a surface of at least nearest-neighbor flooring in the raised access floor. To that end, in one example, the cover member 510 can be disposed within an inner perimeter defined by the multiple frame members that constitute the frame 100, where the planar top surface 520 of the cover member 510 is at the same or substantially the same vertical height as the top planar surface of each of the individual frame members (see, e.g., FIG. 1 for an illustration of such planar surfaces). The cover member 510 also can be disposed adjacent (e.g., on top of) a top surface of the backing plate 410, where the cover member 520 can cover all or at least a portion of a multiple openings through the backing plate 410. In one example, with reference to the frame 100 (see also FIG. 1), the cover member 520 can be placed within the inner square perimeter defined by the frame members 1 lOi-l 10 4 . As mentioned, such an inner perimeter can be defined by the union of respective inner sides of the frame members 1 lOi-l 10 4 . The cover member 510 also can be disposed on and abut the top surface of the backing plate 410.

[0035] In some example embodiments, the cover member 510 can be configured to receive a mass (e.g., all or a portion of the body mass of an operator in a clean room). The cover member 510 and the backing plate 410 (or, in some embodiments a similar plate member) onto which the cover member 510 is disposed can be in mechanical equilibrium with the mass, thus supporting the mass.

[0036] As mentioned, a premanufactured view tile in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure can be coupled to or can include devices or other types of components that permit distribution of utilities or other resources to other equipment within a confined space having raised access flooring. Examples of the confined space can include a clean room in a fabrication facility, a server room in a data center or cloud computing platform, or the like. The one or more devices can include, for example, a gauge(s) or other types of metering devices, valve(s) (ball valve, diaphragm valve, needle valve, etc.), fluid regulators, filters, electrical conduit, a combination thereof, or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in some example embodiments, the one or more devices can include one or more gas sticks 610 and/or water sticks 620. The gas stick 610 and the water stick 620 can include, for example, respective pipes and devices (e.g., a valve, a flowmeter, and/or pressure gauge) for distribution of a gas and water. The gas sticks 610, the water sticks 620, other types of fluid control device(s), and/or metering device(s) can be mounted or otherwise coupled to one or more rails 630 that are coupled to the premanufactured view tile. In some instances, the mounting of a device or a component can be performed off-site with respect to the confined space having the raised access floor (e.g., a clean room in a fabrication facility) and can include installing components that are accepted (e.g., configured, tested, and approved) for installation in the confined space or another type of facility. The mounted devices and/or components can be readily moved to the confined space.

[0037] In some aspects, the rail(s) 630 can permit or otherwise facilitate standard mounting of the one or more devices or components underneath a premanufactured view tile in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure. In one embodiment, the rail(s) 630 can be arranged according to a single design that can permit or otherwise facilitate assembling the one or more devices or components in multiple configurations without having to rework items. The rail(s) 630 can be placed underneath a frame (e.g., frame 100) included in a premanufactured view tile in accordance with this disclosure. To that end, in some embodiments, multiple mounting members can be coupled to the premanufactured view tile. In one embodiment, a rail of the rail(s) 630 can include an open portion and a non-open surface opposite the open portion, where the non-open surface extends along a longitudinal axis of the rails. One or more portions of the non-open surface can be coupled (e.g., screwed, bolted, welded, adhered, or otherwise fastened) to respective one or more mounting members of the multiple mounting members.

[0038] As an illustration, FIG. 7 presents a perspective view of examples of a mounting member 710i and a mounting member 710 2 that can be coupled to a premanufactured view tile, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure. The mounting member 710i can include a first strut 720a arranged substantially parallel to the planar top surface of the cover member (e.g., cover member 510 in FIG. 5) included in the

premanufactured view tile. The first strut 720a has a defined length that, in some example embodiments, can be less than a height (e.g., 12 in, 18 in, 24 in, or the like) of a raised access floor that includes the premanufactured view tile. The mounting member 710i also can include a second strut 720b affixed to a first end of the first strut 720a, and a third strut 720c affixed to a second end of the first strut 720a. In addition, the mounting member 710 2 includes a fourth strut 720d arranged substantially parallel to the planar top surface of the cover member; a fifth strut 720e affixed to a first end of the fourth strut 720d; and a sixth strut 720f affixed to a second end of the fourth strut 720d. In some aspects, the first strut of the mounting member 710i and the fourth strut 720d of the mounting member 710 2 can be configured to support tubing to transport a fluid (such as a gas or water, including chilled water or process water); a fluid control device; electrical conduit, and/or a metering device. In one example, the fluid control device can include a valve, a regulator, and/or a filter. In another example, the metering device can include a pressure gauge and/or a flowmeter.

[0039] Each of the mounting members 710i and 710 2 can include fastening members that can be positioned at or in the vicinity of top ends of each of the mounting members 710i and 710 2 in order to permit or otherwise facilitate removably coupling the mounting members 710i and 710 2 to a frame (e.g., frame 100) of a premanufactured tile in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the mounting members 710i and 710 2 can be removably coupled (e.g., screwed or bolted) to two opposing or substantially opposing frame members (e.g., frame member 110i and frame member I I O 3 ) of the frame.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, mounting member 710i includes a fastening member 750i and a fastening member 760 1; and the mounting member 710 2 includes a fastening member 750 2 and a fastening member 760 2 . Each of the fastening members 750 1; 760i, 750 2 , 760 2 can be embodied in a flat corner brace or another type of L-shaped plate that includes multiple through holes, and can be removably coupled to a side wall of a channel of the frame, where the side wall is adjacent a flange of frame. At least one of the through holes in the fastening member 750i can be utilized to couple or otherwise affix such a fastening member to the struts 720c. One or more other ones of the through holes in the fastening member 750i can be utilized to removably couple the strut 720c— and, thus, the mounting member 710i— to the frame at a first frame member. In similar fashion, at least one of the through holes in the fastening member 760i can be utilized to couple or otherwise affix a fastening member to the struts 720b. One or more other ones of the through holes in the fastening member 760i can be utilized to removably couple the strut 720b— and, thus, the mounting member 710i— to the frame at a second frame member. Further, a first group of multiple through holes in the fastening member 750 2 and a second group of multiple through holes in the fastening member 760 2 can be utilized to removably couple a respective one of the strut 720f and 720e to the frame at respective frame members.

[0040] In some instances, the mounting members 710i and 710 2 are coupled to the frame in a way that the mounting member 710i and the mounting member 710 2 are arranged substantially parallel to each other, as is illustrated in FIG. 7. In addition, a first portion of a rail (e.g., one of the rail(s) 630) can be coupled (e.g., welded or otherwise bonded) to the mounting member 710 1; and a second portion of the rail can be coupled to the mounting member 710 2 . The rail can be utilized, in one aspect, to support one or more of a fluid control device or a metering device. As such, the fluid control device or the metering device can be coupled (removably or otherwise) to the rail. [0041] FIGS. 8A-8B present, respectively, perspective views 800 and 850 of an example of a premanufactured view tile in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As illustrated, the premanufactured view tile includes the frame 100 and the backing plate 410. In one aspect, the backing plate 410 can be mounted to the frame 100 according to aspects described herein. A cover member 710 can be mounted or otherwise coupled to the backing plate 410. To that end, is some embodiments, the cover member 710 can be screwed, bolted, adhered or otherwise bonded, a combination thereof, or the like. In one aspect, the cover member 710 is transparent to light having wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., wavelengths in a range from about 400 nm to about 800 nm) or another defined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0042] The premanufactured view tile shown in FIG. 8A also includes the mounting member 710i and the mounting member 710 2 . As mentioned, each of the mounting members 710i and 710 2 can be coupled to the frame 100 in accordance with aspects described herein. A stinger 810 can be affixed to a first strut of the mounting member 710i and to a second strut of the mounting member 710 2 . Further, the premanufactured view tile includes the gas sticks 610 and the water sticks 620. As discussed herein, the water sticks 610 can be mounted or otherwise coupled to both mounting members 710i and 710 2 . In addition, the gas sticks 620 can be mounted or otherwise coupled to one or more rails 630.

[0043] As disclosed herein, raised access flooring can include one or more

premanufactured view tiles in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. As an illustration, FIG. 9 presents an example of a raised access floor system 900 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The raised access floor system 900 can include a floor grid including multiple grid openings. As illustrated, the floor grid can embody or can include a two-dimensional grid having n x = 4 grid openings in an x direction and n y = 3 in ay direction perpendicular to the x directions. It is noted that the disclosure is not limited to such a floor grid and other values of n x and n y are contemplated. The raised floor system 900 also can include multiple floor tiles, including a first floor tile 910 1; a second floor tile 910 2 , a third floor tile 910 3 , a fourth floor tile 910 4 , a fifth floor tile 910s, a sixth floor tile 910 6 , and a seventh floor tile 910 7 . Each of the floor tiles 910i-910 7 can be placed at a respective one of the multiple grid openings. At least one of the floor tiles 91 Oi- 910 7 can be embodied in a premanufactured view tile in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. For instance, floor tile 910 7 can be embodied in a premanufactured view tile of the disclosure. As such, the floor tile 910 7 can include a frame, a backing plate, a cover plate, and a first support member 930i and a second support member 930 2 .

[0044] Multiple stanchions coupled to the floor grid can maintain or otherwise support the raised access floor system 900 at a defined height above a floor surface (e.g., a concrete slab). Specifically, a first stanchion 920 1; a second stanchion 920 2 , a third stanchion 920 3 , a fourth stanchion 920 4 , a fifth stanchion 920 5 , a sixth stanchion 920 6 , a seventh stanchion 920 7 , and an eight stanchion 920 8 can maintain the floor tiles 910i-910 7 at the defined height. As illustrated, each of the stanchions 9201-9208 can include a bottom end placed at or adjacent to the floor surface, and a distal stanchion head in contact or otherwise abutting a floor tile. As such, the distal stanchion head can be adjacent a grid point of the floor grid.

[0045] Further Examples.— The following examples pertain to further or alternative embodiments of the disclosure Example 1 is a floor tile assembly, comprising a frame comprising a plurality of frame members, each of the plurality of frame members comprising a flange and defining a channel, each of the flange and the channel extending along a longitudinal axis of each respective one of the plurality of frame members from substantially a first end to substantially a distal second end opposite the first end, wherein the channel is positioned opposite to a planar surface extending from substantially the first end to substantially the second end; wherein the first end of each respective one of the plurality of frame members is coupled to a second end of a second respective one of the plurality of frame members, the plurality of frame members defining an inner perimeter; and a backing plate coupled to at least one of the plurality of frame members, the backing plate comprising a plurality of openings through the backing plate. In example 2, the subject matter of example 1 can optionally include, the backing plate being coupled to at least two of the plurality of frame members. In example 3, the assembly of any one of examples 1-2 can optionally include the backing plate being coupled to the flange of the at least one of the plurality of frame members. In example 4, the assembly of any one of examples 1-3 can optionally include each of the plurality of frame members further comprising a first recess opposite to the channel and a second recess opposite to the first recess, each of the first recess and the second recess extending along the longitudinal axis of each respective one of the plurality of frame members from substantially the first end to substantially the distal second end. In example 5, the assembly of example 4 can optionally include each of the plurality of frame members comprising a top end, an opposing bottom end, an inner side wall, and an outer side wall, wherein the channel is disposed along the bottom end of each respective one of the plurality of frame members. In example 6, the assembly of example 5 can optionally include the first recess being disposed along an inner side of the outer side wall and the second recess is disposed along an outer side of the outer side wall. In example 7, the assembly of any one of examples 1 -6 can optionally include the plurality of frame members further comprising: a first frame member having a first longitudinal axis; a second frame member having a second longitudinal axis; wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis form a defined angle, wherein the defined angle is approximately 90 degrees, and wherein a length of the first frame member is substantially equal to a length of the second frame member. In example 8, the assembly of any one of examples 1-7 can optionally include the frame being formed from a metal, an alloy of a first metal and a second metal, or an alloy of a third metal and a non-metal element. In example 9, the assembly of any one of examples 1 -8 can optionally include a cover member disposed within the inner perimeter defined by the plurality of frame members and disposed adjacent a top surface of the backing plate, the cover member covering at least a portion of the plurality of openings. In example 10, the assembly of example 9 can optionally include the cover member configured to receive a mass, the cover member and the backing plate being in mechanical equilibrium with the mass. In example 11 , the assembly of any one of examples 9-10 can optionally include the cover member being substantially transparent. In example 12, the assembly of any one of examples 9-1 1 can optionally include the cover member comprising glass, a plastic material, a ceramic material, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing. In example 13, the assembly of any one of examples 1-12 can optionally include a plurality of mounting members, a first mounting member of the plurality of mounting members affixed to the frame and a second mounting member of the plurality of mounting members affixed to the frame, wherein the first mounting member is arranged substantially parallel to the second mounting member. In example 14, the assembly of example 13 can optionally include the first mounting member and the second mounting member being removably affixed to the frame. In example 15, the assembly of any one of examples 13-14 can optionally include each of the first mounting member and second mounting member being affixed to a side wall of the channel of at least one of the plurality of frame members. In example 16, the assembly of any one of examples 13-15 can optionally include the first mounting member comprising a first strut arranged substantially parallel to the frame, a second strut affixed to a first end of the first strut, and a third strut affixed to a second end of the first strut. In example 17, the assembly of example 16 can optionally include the first strut comprising a first longitudinal axis, the second strut comprising a second longitudinal axis and the third strut comprising a third longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis and third longitudinal axis being substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis. In example 18, the assembly of any one of examples 13-17 can optionally include the second mounting member comprising a fourth strut arranged substantially parallel to the frame, a fifth strut affixed to a first end of the fourth strut, and a sixth strut affixed to a second end of the fourth strut. In example 19, the assembly of example 18 can optionally include the fourth strut comprising a fourth longitudinal axis, the fifth strut comprising a fifth longitudinal axis and the sixth strut comprising a sixth longitudinal axis, the fifth longitudinal axis and sixth longitudinal axis being substantially orthogonal to the fourth longitudinal axis. In example 20, the assembly of example 19 can optionally include the first longitudinal axis and the fourth longitudinal axis being substantially parallel. In example 21, the assembly of any one of examples 19-20 can optionally include the second longitudinal axis, the third longitudinal axis, the fifth longitudinal axis, and the sixth longitudinal axis being substantially parallel. In example 22, the assembly of any one of examples 18-21 can optionally include the first strut of the first mounting member and the fourth strut of the second mounting member being configured to support a rail having at least one of a fluid control device or a metering device. In example 23, the assembly of example 22 can optionally include the control device comprising at least one of a valve or a regulator, and the metering device comprising at least one of a pressure gauge or a flowmeter. In example 24, the assembly of any one of examples 1-23 can optionally include the backing plate comprising a first brace, a second brace, and a third brace coupled to a bottom surface of the backing plate, the first brace extending along a first principal axis of the backing plate, and the second brace and the third brace extending along a second principal axis of the backing plate, and the second principal axis is perpendicular to the first principal axis. In example 25, the assembly of any one of examples 1-23 can optionally include the backing plate comprising a first brace and a second brace coupled to a bottom surface of the backing plate, the first brace extending along a first principal axis of the backing plate, and the second brace extending along a second principal axis of the backing plate. In example 26, the assembly of any one of examples 1-25 can optionally include the plurality of frame members comprising a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member, and wherein the inner perimeter is a rectangular shape. In example 27, the assembly of any one of examples 1-26 can optionally include the plurality of frame members forming an outer perimeter of the frame having a shape of a triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon.

[0046] Further, Example 28 is a method for constructing a floor tile, comprising: providing a frame comprising: a first frame member comprising a first flange and defining a first channel, each of the first flange and the first channel extending along a first longitudinal axis of the first frame member from substantially a first end to substantially a second end opposite to the first end of the frame member, the first channel positioned along a bottom side of the first frame member opposite to a substantially planar top surface of the first frame member; and a second frame member having a second flange and defining a second channel, each of the second flange and the second channel extending along a second longitudinal axis of the second frame member from substantially a first end of the second frame member to substantially a second end of the second frame member opposite to the first end of the second frame member, the second channel positioned along a second bottom side of the second frame member opposite to a second substantially planar top surface of the second frame member; coupling the first end of the second frame member to the second end of the first frame member at a defined angle; providing a first backing plate comprising a plurality of openings; and mounting the first backing plate to the frame. In example 29, the method of example 28 can optionally include the first frame member further comprising a first recess opposite to the first channel and a second recess opposite to the first recess, each of the first recess and the second recess extending along the first longitudinal axis. In example 30, the method of any one of examples 28-29 can optionally include the second frame member further comprising a second first recess opposite to the second channel and a second second recess opposite to the second first recess, each of the second first recess and the second second recess extending along the second longitudinal axis. In example 31 , the method of any one of examples 28-30 can optionally include providing a second plate, and positioning the second plate adjacent a top surface of the first backing plate. In example 32, the method of example 31 can optionally include the second plate being transparent. In example 33, the method of any one of examples 31 -32 can optionally include the first backing plate being opaque. In example 34, the method of any one of examples 28-33 can optionally include providing the first frame member comprising extruding a stick from a die defining an opening to form the first flange and the first channel. In example 35, the method of example 34 can optionally include the stick being formed from one of a metal, an alloy of a first metal and a second metal, an alloy of a third metal and a non-metal, plastic, or a composite. In example 36, the method of any one of examples 34-35 can optionally include the defined angle being approximately 90 degrees, and providing the first frame member further comprising: cutting the extruded stick along the second end at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the first longitudinal axis of the first frame member, resulting in a second extruded stick; and cutting the second extruded stick at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second extruded stick. In example 37, the method of any one of examples 28-36 can optionally include coupling the first end of the second frame member to the second end of the first frame member comprising coupling the first frame member and the second frame member by welding or applying an adhesive. In example 38, the method of examples 28-36 can optionally include coupling the first end of the second frame member to the second end of the first frame member comprising coupling the first frame member and the second frame member by welding. In example 39, the method of examples 28-38 can optionally include comprising affixing a plurality of mounting members to the backing plate, wherein a first mounting member of the plurality of mounting members is arranged substantially parallel to a second mounting member of the plurality of mounting members. In example 40, the method of example 39 can optionally include bonding a first portion of a rail to the first mounting member, and bonding a second portion of the rail to the second mounting member. In example 41, the method of example 40 can optionally include coupling one or more of a fluid control device or a metering device to the rail.

[0047] Further, Example 42 is a raised access floor system comprising: a floor grid comprising a plurality of grid openings; a plurality of stanchions coupled to the floor grid and configured to support the floor grid a desired height above a floor surface, each of the plurality of stanchions comprising a bottom end and a distal stanchion head, the bottom end disposed adjacent the floor surface and the stanchion head disposed adjacent the floor grid; a plurality of floor tiles, each of the plurality of floor tiles disposed within a respective one of the grid openings, the plurality of floor tiles comprising at least one view tile comprising: a frame comprising a plurality of frame members, each of the plurality of frame members comprising a flange and defining a channel, each of the flange and the channel extending along a longitudinal axis of each respective one of the plurality of frame members from substantially a first end to substantially a distal second end opposite the first end, wherein the channel is positioned opposite to a planar top surface of each respective one of the plurality of frame members extending from substantially the first end to substantially the second end and wherein at least a portion of the channel is disposed adjacent the stanchion head of at least one of the plurality of stanchions; wherein the first end of each respective one of the plurality of frame members is coupled to a second end of a second respective one of the plurality of frame members, the plurality of frame members defining an inner perimeter; and a backing plate coupled to at least one of the plurality of frame members, the backing plate comprising a plurality of openings through the backing plate. In example 43, the system of example 42 can optionally include the backing plate being coupled to and positioned along a top side of the flange of the at least one of the plurality of frame members. In example 44, the system of any one of examples 42-43 can optionally include each of the plurality of frame members further comprising a first recess opposite to the channel and a second recess opposite to the first recess, each of the first recess and the second recess extending along the longitudinal axis of each respective one of the plurality of frame members from substantially the first end to substantially the distal second end, at least one of the first recess and the second recess abuts the stanchion head of the at least one of the plurality of stanchions. In example 45, the system of example 44 can optionally include the plurality of frame members comprising a top end, an opposing bottom end, an inner side wall, and an outer side wall, the channel being disposed along the bottom end of each respective one of the plurality of frame members. In example 46, the system of example 45 can optionally include the first recess being disposed along an inner side of the outer side wall and the second recess being disposed along an outer side of the outer side wall. In example 47, the system of any one of examples 42-46 can optionally include a cover member disposed within the inner perimeter defined by the plurality of frame members and disposed adjacent a top surface of the backing plate, the cover member covering at least a portion of the plurality of openings. In example 48, the system of example 47 can optionally include cover member being substantially transparent. In example 49 the system of any one of examples 42-48 can optionally include a plurality of mounting members, a first mounting member of the plurality of mounting members affixed to the frame and a second mounting member of the plurality of mounting members affixed to the frame, the first mounting member being arranged substantially parallel to the second mounting member. In example 50, the system of example 49, can optionally include each of the first mounting member and second mounting member being affixed to a side wall of the channel of at least one of the plurality of frame members. In example 51 , the system of any one of examples 49-50 can optionally include the first mounting member comprising a first strut arranged substantially parallel to the frame, a second strut affixed to a first end of the first strut, and a third strut affixed to a second end of the first strut, the first strut comprising a first longitudinal axis, the second strut comprising a second longitudinal axis and the third strut comprising a third longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis and third longitudinal axis being substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis. In example 52, the system of example 51 can optionally include the first strut of the first mounting member being configured to support a rail having at least one of a fluid control device or a metering device. In example 53, the system of any one of examples 42-52 can optionally include the plurality of frame members comprising a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member, and wherein the inner perimeter is a rectangular shape. In example 54, the system of any one of examples 42-53 can optionally include each of the plurality of grid openings having a grid inner perimeter having a first shape of one of a triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon and the plurality of frame members forming an outer perimeter of the frame having a corresponding second shape of one of a triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon. In example 55, the system of any one of examples 42-54 can optionally include the plurality of floor tiles comprising a plurality of view tiles disposed within respective ones of the plurality of grid openings.

[0048] As used herein, the term "substantially" indicates that each of the described dimensions is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. Unless context or the description indicates otherwise, the use of the term "substantially" in connection with a numerical parameter indicates that the numerical parameter includes variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

[0049] Further, certain relationships between dimensions of a premanufactured view tile and between elements of the premanufactured view tile are described herein using the term "substantially equal". As used herein, the term "substantially equal" indicates that the equal relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. Unless context or the description indicates otherwise, the use of the term

"substantially equal" in connection with two or more described dimensions indicates that the equal relationship between the dimensions includes variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit of the dimensions. As used herein, the term "substantially constant" indicates that the constant relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom.

[0050] As used herein, the term "substantially parallel" indicates that the parallel relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. As used herein the term "substantially perpendicular" indicates that the perpendicular relationship between two or more elements of a premanufactured view tile are not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. [0051] The term "horizontal" as used herein may be defined as a direction parallel to a plane or surface (e.g., surface of a substrate), regardless of its orientation. The term

"vertical," as used herein, may refer to a direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction as just described. Terms, such as "on," "above," "below," "bottom," "top," "side"

(as in "sidewall"), "higher," "lower," "upper," "over," and "under," may be referenced with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0052] While certain embodiments of the invention have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation.

[0053] This written description uses examples to disclose certain example embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice certain embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of certain embodiments of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

[0054] Although example embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the example embodiments.

Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain example embodiments could include, while other example embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.