Grille
OwnerJohn D. Shepherdinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an array of parallel cross bars, each cross bar has a crenellated edge with alternating recesses and projections. A first locking opening extends through the length of the each cross bar, at least partly within the projections. A number of bearing bars each include second locking openings spaced along the length of the bearing bar. The bearing bars are assembled with the cross bars with the bearing bars nested in the recesses in the cross bars. The first and second locking openings are in alignment. A locking member is received in the aligned locking openings to interlock the bearing bars and cross bars in a rigid, strong, durable and attractive grille structure.
Claims13
A grille comprising:
- a plurality of first bars extending in a first direction;
- a plurality of second bars extending in a second direction and crossing said first bars at intersections;
- said first bars each including a crenellated edge having a plurality of alternating recesses and projections;
- said second bars being nested in said recesses of said first bars at said intersections, and said projections being sandwiched between said second bars between said intersections;
- said grilled being characterized by:
- each said first bar including a first locking opening extending lengthwise within said first bar, at least a part of said first locking opening extending through said projections;
- each said second bar including a plurality of second locking openings extending transversely through said second bar;
- said first and second locking openings being aligned when said second bars are nested in said recesses of said first bars;
- and
- locking members extending through said first and second locking openings to interlock said first and second bars.
A method of making a grille comprising:
- providing an elongated internal first locking opening extending along the length of each of a plurality of first bars;
- forming a crenellated edge on each of the first bars by creating recesses along the edge separated by nonrecessed projections between the recesses;
- said forming step including configuring the recesses so that the first locking openings extend at least in part through the projections;
- fabricating a plurality of second locking openings extending transversely through each of a plurality of second bars, the second locking openings being uniformly separated by a given distance along the length of each second bar;
- arraying the first bars parallel with one another and spaced apart by the given distance;
- assembling the second bars onto the first bars with the second bars nested into the recesses, and with the second locking openings of the second bars aligned with the first locking openings of the first bars;
- and
- inserting locking members into the aligned first and second locking openings to interlock the first and second bars in a grille configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.