An access panel for providing access to cables, services or the like through an opening in a floor having a
floor covering, is disclosed. The access panel includes a floor frame (10) located in the opening and a lid (100) supported on the frame (10). The frame (10) has a support
flange (26) extending around its periphery which extends between the
floor covering and the floor
deck. The
flange (26) provides a ramped edge tapered substantially uniformly over a distance of between 10 and 20 times the maximum thickness of the
flange (26). The outermost part of the flange (26) is typically formed from a flexible polymeric material. A rib (20) extends around an aperture in the frame (10) and the height of the rib (20) is lower than the
load bearing surface of the floor. The hinge (24, 120) is generally square and defines a pivot surface which extends parallel to and is spaced inwardly from an inner edge of the frame (10). A lid (100) for closing the aperture defines a
bearing surface (120) which is adapted to slidably engage on the pivot surface (24) to allow the lid (100) to bear and pivot about the pivot surface (24). The lid (100) includes hatches (104, 106) which are moveable between an open position in which there is an aperture in the lid (100) through which cable services may extend and a closed position in which there is no aperture. Locking means (124, 126) are provided between the hatch (104, 106) and the frame (10) to lock the hatch (104, 106) in place in both the open and closed positions.