Method and apparatus for forming a trench
AssigneeConstruction Casting Company
InventorJohn V. Beamer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for constructing a grate or solid covered trench is provided, having a "Z" type frame made positionally adjustable by an adjustment slot and fastening means combination, and a trench-form construction achieving stability by means of a number of box-shaped bracings positioned along the trench-form sidewalls. The positions of the bracings are staggered to provide both a supporting surface to the frame and stability to the lower regions of the sidewalls.
Claims21
An adjustable frame for maintaining a grate in stable position relative to a second frame along a trench, comprising:
- (a) a horizontal grate supporting member comprising:
- 1. a generally planar top surface upon which the bottom of said grate rests;
- 2. a bottom surface opposite said top surface;
- 3. a rearward edge;
- and
- 4. a forward edge opposite said rearward edge;
- (b) an upper grate contacting member extending vertically upward from said top surface of said grate supporting member at said rearward edge of said grate supporting member for contacting a side of said grate;
- and
- (c) a sidewall contacting surface extending vertically downward from said bottom surface of said grate supporting member at said forward edge of said grate supporting member for contacting a trench from sidewall, said sidewall contacting surface having adjustment slots through which fastening means can be place for adjusting both the vertical position and slope of the frame and selectively fastening said frame to said sidewall.
An assembly for forming a trench covered by a grate comprising:
- (a) a first sidewall having a lower edge for engaging the floor of said trench and an upper edge extending above said lower edge at the point where a first edge of said grate is desired to be held;
- (b) a second sidewall having a lower edge for resting against the floor of said trench and an upper edge extending above said lower edge at a point where a second edge of said grate opposite said first grate edge is desired to be held, said second sidewall parallel to said first sidewall;
- (c) a cross-support member attached at a first end to said first sidewall and at a second end opposite said first end to said second sidewall for maintaining said sidewalls in parallel relationship;
- (d) a pair of adjustable grill mounting frames, each said frame comprising:
- 1. a horizontal grate supporting member comprising:
- (a) a generally planar top surface upon which the bottom of said grate rests;
- (b) a bottom surface opposite said top surface;
- (c) a rearward edge;
- and
- (d) a forward edge opposite said rearward edge;
- 2. an upper grate contacting member extending vertically upward from said top surface of said grate supporting member at said rearward edge of said grate supporting member for contacting a side of said grate;
- and
- 3. a sidewall contacting surface extending vertically downward from said bottom surface of said grate supporting member at said forward edge of said grate supporting member for contacting said sidewall said sidewall contacting surface having a vertical adjustment slot through which an adjustable fastening means can be placed for adjustably fastening said frame to said sidewall;
- said first frame adjustably fastened atop said first sidewall so that the forward edge of its grate supporting member faces said second sidewall and said second frame adjustably fastened atop said second sidewall so that the forward edge of its grate supporting member faces said first sidewall so that said grate supporting members form a surface upon which said grate may rest.
A method of leveling a grate over a grate-covered trench using a trench-form having at least one sidewall upon which a grate supporting frame may be positioned and a first frame for supporting said grate having a sidewall contacting surface, said sidewall contacting surface having an elongate adjustment slot located thereon, comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a hole through said sidewall at a point along said sidewall corresponding to the location of said adjustment slot when said frame is positioned on said sidewall;
- (b) positioning said frame on said sidewall so that said hole is in position corresponding to the position of said adjustment slot;
- and
- (c) placing fastening means through said hole and adjustment slot, said fastening means capable of being repeatedly tightened to firmly secure said frame to said sidewall and capable of being repeatedly loosened to allow adjustment of the position of said frame relative to said sidewall.
A method of constructing a grate covered trench comprising:
- (a) placing a box-shaped bracing between a pair of trench-form sidewalls to hold said sidewalls in desired position to form a trench-form upon which a pair of grate supporting frames each having an elongate adjustment slot may be positioned;
- (b) forming a hole through each said sidewall at a point along said sidewall corresponding to the location of said adjustment slot when said frame is positioned on said sidewall;
- (c) positioning each frame on a sidewall so that each hole is in position corresponding to the position of each adjustment slot;
- (d) placing fastening means through each hole and each adjustment slot to secure said frames to said sidewalls;
- (e) placing said trench-form and frames in the location of said trench;
- (f) adjusting each frame until said frames are in positions which allow said grate to rest in a desired position;
- (g) tightening said fastening means to secure said frames in said positions which allow said grate to rest in a desired position;
- and
- (h) surrounding said trench-form with material to hold said trench-form in final position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.