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US 11,549,262 B1Granted
Heavy cycle grating system
AssigneeOhio Gratings, Inc.
InventorsAristotelis Zournas, Michael D. Russo, Kenneth P. Apperson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heavy cycle grating system incorporating a plurality of toothed support members to support a plurality of grate slats while securing them within grating assembly. This configuration allows the present grating system to accommodate higher volume of heavy use, such as found with vehicular applications. Further provided is a grating assembly configured for longer life and improved damage and wear-resistance while simultaneously reducing noise generated during use thereof.
Claims20
A grating system comprising:
- a pair of end plates spaced longitudinally;
- a first support plate operably connected to the pair of end plates and oriented perpendicularly thereto;
- a second support plate spaced laterally from the first end plate, the second support plate operably connected to the pair of end plates and oriented perpendicularly thereto;
- at least one cross member having a plurality of alternating teeth and cavities on a top edge thereof, the at least one cross member extending between the first and second support plates;
- at least one cross member lock bar corresponding to the at least one cross member;
- a plurality of slats extending between the pair of end plates, with each slat of the plurality of slats contained within a cavity of the plurality of cavities;
- and
- at least one slat lock bar operable to secure the plurality of slats in the plurality of cavities.
5 more elements
A method of assembling a grating system comprising:
- securing a first support plate to a first end of a pair of end plates;
- securing a second support plate to a second end of the pair of end plates;
- sliding a cross member into a first position wherein the cross member extends through a slot defined in the first support plate and into a slot defined in the second support plate;
- raising the cross member into a second position wherein a top edge thereof abuts a top edge of the slots defined in each of the first and second, support plates;
- sliding a cross member lock bar through the slots defined in each of the first and second support plates;
- raising the cross member lock bar to abut a bottom edge of the cross member;
- fixing the cross member and cross member lock bar in the second position;
- inserting a plurality of longitudinally extending slats into a plurality of cavities defined between a plurality of teeth extending from the top edge of the cross member;
- and
- securing the plurality of slats in position with a slat lock bar.
7 more elements
A grating system comprising:
- a pair of end plates spaced longitudinally;
- a first support plate having at least one vertical slot defined therethrough, the first support plate operably connected to the pair of end plates and oriented perpendicularly thereto;
- a second support plate having at least one vertical slot defined therethrough, the second support plate spaced laterally from the first end plate, the second support plate operably connected to the pair of end plates and oriented perpendicularly thereto;
- at least one additional support plate having at least one vertical slot defined therethrough, the at least one additional support plate operably connected to the pair of end plates laterally between the first and second support plates and oriented perpendicularly thereto;
- at least one cross member having a plurality of alternating teeth and cavities on a top edge thereof, the at least one cross member extending between the first and second support plates and through the at least one vertical slot defined through each of the first, second, and at least one additional support plates;
- at least one cross member lock bar corresponding to the at least one cross member, the at least one cross bar extending between the first and second support plates and through the at least one vertical slot defined through each of the first, second, and at least one additional support plates;
- a plurality of slats having at least one aperture defined through each slat corresponding to and aligned with at least one aperture defined through each of the first, second, and at least one additional support plates, the plurality of slats extending between the pair of end plates, with each slat of the plurality of slats contained within a cavity of the plurality of cavities;
- and
- at least one slat lock bar slidably engaged with the at least one aperture defined through each slat of the plurality of slats and the at least one aperture defined through the first, second, and the at least one additional support plates, the at least one slat lock bar operable to secure the plurality of slats in the plurality of cavities.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.