Patent Application
20120311956
The present invention relates to grating systems incorporating at least one decorative article therein to enhance the appearance of the grating system and surrounding landscape.
Property owners and developers are constantly seeking new ways to enhance the designs of courtyards, parks, malls, city streets, and other public and private grounds. Because such areas are often accessible to large numbers of people, features incorporated into the landscape design should be designed with safety as a primary concern. In addition, the features should be designed to withstand prolonged exposure to rain, snow, and other deleterious elements. Grating systems have been employed around trees, fountains, or as a walking surface to meet the safety and durability requirements. Grating systems rely on the shape, texture, and configuration of the grating elements to enhance its appearance. Consequently, the variety of designs is somewhat limited.
There remains a need for grating systems that meet the necessary safety and durability requirements while also providing means to enhance the appearance of the grating system itself and thereby refine the surrounding landscape.
The present invention provides a grating system that includes at least one pocket for supporting a decorative element within the grating system. In one embodiment, the decorative element is a brick and the pocket includes a size and shape configured to house the brick in close fitting relation while the upper surface of the brick is aligned with the upper surface of the grating system. When the brick is positioned in the pocket, a gap exists between the sides of the brick and the sides of the pocket to allow water passage therethrough. The pocket also includes a bottom opening to allow water drainage around the brick.
In another embodiment, the grating system includes a plurality of receptacles to house respective ones of a plurality of decorative elements, such as brick-like elements. Various shapes for the pocket and decorative element are contemplated, including rectangular, cubical, cylindrical and prismatic shapes.
The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a grating system. The method includes forming a grate of the grating system with a pattern of holes extending through the grate and solid portions around the holes, and interrupting the solid portions with a pocket that is recessed into the grate. The pocket is sized and shaped to receive and support a brick-like decorative element so that the decorative element is incorporated into the grate. This maintains the relative positioning between the grate and brick so that positioning of the brick is maintained, preserving the aesthetic appearance and preventing the brick from becoming a tripping hazard. The pocket is formed by a plurality of side elements extending distally from a proximal support surface of the grate and by a plurality of inwardly extending support elements extending from the side elements. The support elements define a through-opening so that water passing through gaps between the brick and the side elements has a means for escape. In one embodiment, the side elements and support elements are cast as one piece with the grate to provide a durable support that does not allow settling of the brick relative to the grate. In one embodiment, the grate includes a plurality of pockets to house a plurality of decorative elements. In one specific embodiment, the brick-like decorative elements include text and/or figures inscribed thereon to convey a message. However, plain decorative elements are also contemplated.
The present invention also provides a method for assembling a grating system. The method includes positioning a grate of the grating system in a landscape and positioning at least one brick into at least one pocket of the grate so that the grate provides a decorative pattern formed by a plurality of holes through the grate and the at least one brick. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a plurality of bricks into a plurality of pockets formed in the grate. In a further embodiment, at least one of the plurality of bricks includes a commemorative inscription.
These and other aspects of the invention arc further discussed below with reference to the figures submitted herewith.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring first to
Grate 12 includes an upper or proximal side 20 and an opposite lower or distal side 22. Grate 12 also defines a grating network that includes plurality of openings 24 that extend through and open at the proximal and distal sides 20, 22 and solid portions 26 between and around openings 24. Openings 24 define a pattern through grate 12 to provide a desired ornamental appearance while also allowing water to pass through the grate 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the majority of openings 24 are elongated at various lengths in a radial direction extending outwardly from center passage 18, and a minority of openings 24 extend concentrically about center passage 18. Openings 24 may also form other patterns, including patterns that spiral around passage 18, patterns that are concentric around passage 18, patterns that are linear around passage 18, patterns that are polygonal around passage 18, patterns that form irregular shapes around passage 18, patterns that are floral or foliage in configuration, and combinations thereof. Although illustrated as being circular, grate 12 could, of course, be configured in various geometric shapes, such as a half circle, square, rectangle, elliptical, or triangle, for example. In addition, the proximal side 20 of grate 12 can be textured or include a decorative pattern. Proximal side 20 of grate 12 can also be contoured or warped slightly to promote drainage toward the outer edge of grate 12.
Grate 12 further includes solid portions 26 between and around openings 24 that provide structural support for, for example, vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Solid portions 26 extend to an outer support frame 28 that extends around the perimeter of each grate section 14, 16. Outer support frame 28 may include one or more lugs, flanges and/or holes (not shown) to receive bolts, rods, or other anchors to secure grate sections to the surrounding concrete, pavers, or supplemental frame section. In addition, grate sections 14, 16 may include holes in portions of frame 28 that abut one another to allow adjacent frame sections to be secured to one another with a fastener. Grate sections 14, 16 may also include one or more interior support ribs (not shown) extending along distal side 22 to provide additional structural support.
Grate 12 includes at least one pocket 30 formed in solid portion 26 thereof that receives a decorative element 32 so that decorative element 32 is incorporated into the grating network to provide an aesthetically pleasing and refined appearance. The decorative element 32 is a brick in the illustrated embodiment with a rectangular prism or box shape. However, other embodiments contemplate decorative elements 32 with other shapes, including cubical shapes; cylindrical shapes with, for example, cross-sections such as circular or elliptical cross-sections; or regular or irregular prism shapes. Pocket 30 is sized and shaped to receive the decorative element 32 in close fitting relation so that the decorative element 32 is housed in grate 12 and incorporated into the aesthetics of grate 12. For example, pocket 12 includes a depth D extending from proximal side 20 so that the proximal surface 34 of decorative element 32 is aligned with proximal side 20, preventing decorative element 32 from forming a tripping hazard and providing an integrated aesthetic with grate 12. This also aligns proximal surface 34 with proximal side 20 to provide a smooth surface and prevent the decorative element 32 from recessing into grate 12, allowing it to remain ready visible.
Pocket 30 also includes lateral dimensions L1 and L2 that closely match the lateral dimensions of decorative element 32 while providing a small gap 36 between sides 38 of pocket 30 and sides 40 of decorative element 32. Gap 36 allows water to pass therethrough to prevent ponding on the proximal side 20 of grate 12. Pocket 30 includes distal support elements 42 extending transversely to sides 38 and toward one another at the distal side of pocket 30. Distal support elements 42 define a through-opening 44 that allows water from gap 36 to pass therethrough to prevent ponding at the distal side 46 of decorative element 30, which could heave the decorative element 32 from pocket 30 upon freezing.
Grate 12 can be made from cast iron or other suitable metal such as steel, aluminum or bronze materials, plastic materials, or other suitable material and composites thereof. In one embodiment, grate sections 14, 16 are cast iron and formed as a single, integral one piece unit which includes pocket 32 formed with and depending from solid portions 26. Grate sections 14, 16 can be secured to one another with fasteners, or remain unsecured to one another. In addition, grating system 10 can be comprised of more than two grate sections, or by a single grate section.
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Although various embodiments have been described as having particular features and/or combinations of components, other embodiments are possible having a combination of any features and/or components from any of embodiments as discussed above. As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “a member” is intended to mean a single member or a combination of members, “a material” is intended to mean one or more materials, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the terms “proximal” and “distal” refer to the direction closer to and away from, respectively, an observer of the grating system when the grating system is employed for its ordinary purpose. For example, the portion of a grating system that is normally visible and facing the observer would be the proximal portion, while the opposite portion of the grating system (e.g., the portion of the grating system facing away or furthest away from the observer) would be the distal portion.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
