US 4,553,523 A · Two-way adjustable grate and method for adjusting the length and width

Abstract

An adjustable grate includes first and second identical grate members each with first and second parallel supports. A plurality of upper and lower elements are secured to and extend perpendicularly to the parallel supports providing a space between the upper and lower elements. The grate is assembled by positioning the second support of each grate member between the upper and lower elements of the opposing grate member. The width of the grate is adjusted by sliding the first and second grate members together or apart. The length of the grate is adjusted by moving an upper end of the first grate member above the upper end of the second grate member until the distance between the upper end of the first grate member and the lower end of the second grate member is the desired length. First and second extension members are then positioned between the first and second supports and the upper and lower elements of each grate member. The first extension member is then extended to a length equal to the distance between the upper end of the second grate member and the upper end of the first grate member and the second extension member is extended to the distance between the lower end of the first grate member and the lower of the second grate member.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A grate, comprising:

first and second identical rack members, each said first and second rack member including a base member, a first support secured at a first end to an upper surface of each said base member, each said first support extending perpendicularly from each said base member, and a second support secured at a first end to a lower surface of each said base member, extending perpendicularly from each said base member, said first support being spaced from said second support on said first rack member a sufficient distance to extend above and below, respectively, of said base member on said second rack member allowing said base members of said first and second rack members to be brought toward each other to vary the width of said grate.

A method for adjusting the length and width of a grate wherein said grate includes first and second identical grate members, each said first and second grate member includes upper and lower ends, each said first and second grate member includes first and second base members, a plurality of upper support elements secured to an upper surface of each of said first and second base members and a plurality of lower support elements secured to a lower surface of each of said first and second base members, said upper and lower support elements each include ends spaced from said first and second base members wherein said ends of said upper support elements are adjacent to and spaced from said ends of said lower support elements, said method for adjusting comprising the steps of:

aligning said second base member of said first grate member between said ends of said upper and lower support elements of said second grate member,
aligning said second base member of said second grate member between said ends of said upper and lower support elements of said first grate member, and
moving said first grate member toward said second grate member to position said first base members of said first and second grate members a predetermined distance apart.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Two-way adjustable grate and method for adjusting the length and width

Life of this patent

Two-way adjustable grate and method for adjusting the length and width

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15