Floor grating

#The invention relates to the field of floor gratings, particularly of the type comprising a series of rigid tread rails, typically formed of extruded aluminum, arranged in a side-by-side series, with a narrow spacing between adjacent rails. The tread rails are rigidly secured in the described configuration and typically are installed in a suitable recess provided in the floor surface. The arrangement is such that the upper surfaces of the tread rails form, in effect, a continuation of the surrounding floor surface.

#Floor grating structures of the general type described are well known in the art. The viehmann, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,822 and the Reifsnyder U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,640 are representative of known constructions of these devices.

#In the construction of floor gratings, consideration is given to the manner in which the tread rails are secured together and held in predetermined spaced relation. The desired objective is to accomplish the desired spacing and securement in a manner that accommodates economical manufacture and assembly of the grill structures. The Viehmann, et al. and Reifsnyder disclosures illustrate useful techniques for this purpose wherein the tread rails are provided with aligned openings for the reception of a plurality of spacing bars arranged to extend transversely from one side of the assembly to the other. The tread rail openings accommodate insertion of the spacing bars in a predetermined rotational orientation. After the initial insertion, the spacing bars are rotated into a locking position, in which the tread rails are affixed in the desired spaced relation. The arrangement is also such that final positioning of the spacing bar serves to lock the assembly in a desired rectangular orientation, preventing skewing of the assembly into a parallelogram configuration. Various techniques are then employed to secure the spacing bars in their final positions. Some manufacturers utlize tack welds, others provide arrangements for deforming one or both of the assembled members in some way that prevents rotation of the spacing bar out of its assembled position.

#FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a floor grating installation of the type contemplated by the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view, as taken generally on Line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of tread rail of the structure of FIG. 1, showing details of the opening therein for receiving a spacing bar.

#Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 (FIG. 1) represents a floor surface provided with a recess 11. Within the recess, there is typically provided a frame 12, which forms a catch basin and provides support surfaces (not shown) for supporting a floor grating structure 13 flush with the floor surface. The grating structure includes a plurality of tread rails 14, typically formed of extruded aluminum, which are arranged sideby-side, in parallel relation with a small spacing 15 provided betwen adjacent rails. The rails 14 include a base portion 16, a vertical web 17, and a tread support 18. The tread support includes opposed retaining flanges 19, 20 which engage and retain the backing 21 of a carpet strip 22 or the like, forming the upper tread surface. If desired, resilient pads 23 may be applied over the base flanges 16 to provide resilient support for the tread rails.

#In accordance with generally known prinicples, e.g., Reifsnyder U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,640, the tread rails 14 are provided at two or more locations, spaced longitudinally along the rail, with openings 24 for the reception of spacer bars 25. Although the precise configuration of the openings 24 is quite variable, it is convenient to form them in a generally triangular configuration, with one vertical side 26 limited at the top and bottom by surfaces 27, 28. The vertical spacing between the upper and lower limiting surfaces 27, 28 is less by a predetermined amount than the height of the spacing bar 25, and the latter is provided with downwardly opening notches 26a (see FIG. 5) equal in width to the thickness of the webs 17, so as to closely embrace the opposite sides of the web portions 17 of the respective tread rails in the assembled structure.

#To particular advantage, the spacer bars 25 are provided along one side with a longitudinally extending flange 29 projecting a short distance (e.g., one-eighth inch) out from the side face of the spacing bar. Desirably, the lower surface 30 of the projecting flange 29 substantially coincides with and thus defines the upper limit of the notches 26a as reflected in FIG. 5.