This disclosure is directed to devices for lifting grates or grating assemblies from supporting structures.
Grating assemblies configured for supporting vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic are commonly used on sidewalks and road surfaces requiring venting and/or drainage therethrough. Often, these grating systems are configured to permit various sizing of wheels and/or foot traffic to pass there over without catching or presenting a hazard thereto. Typically, as such grating assemblies are installed in areas where they are easily seen and not easily concealed, these grating assemblies are typically designed to be functional while also being aesthetically pleasing. However, these grating assemblies may utilize close-mesh grating panels and/or close grating surface bars to permit various sizing of wheels and/or foot traffic to pass there over without catching or presenting a hazard. As such, operations of moving these grating assemblies for maintenance and/or services purposes are rather difficult due to the close spacing of specific grating members, particularly grating surface bars.
To combat this issue, users and/or owners of these grating assemblies must utilize specific techniques while using various tools to grab and/or grip these grating assemblies. In one aspect, users and/or owners of these grating assemblies may have to utilize one or more separate tools to both grab and/or grip the grating assembly and to lift the grating assembly from a supporting structure. While this technique may be feasible, the users and/or owner must have various tools on hand with a sufficient labor assistance to move these grating assemblies in a timely and safe manner. In another aspect, users and/or owners of these grating assemblies may be able to provide leverage on the grating assemblies from various angles about the grating assemblies (i.e., pressing and/or pushing on the grating assemblies at a position below the grating assemblies). While this technique may be feasible, various users and/or owners of these grating assemblies may have limited access in moving these grating assemblies dictated by the implementation of these grating assemblies.
The presently disclosed grate lifter is configured to operably engage with at least one grating assembly that includes a close-mesh grating and/or close spacing grating surface bars. In one aspect, a grate lifter described herein includes at least one hook member that operably engages with at least one cross member of a first grating assembly for lifting the first grating assembly. In another aspect, another grate lifter described herein includes at least one hook member that operably engages with at least one surface bar of a second grating assembly for lifting the second grating assembly. In yet another aspect, a grate lifter described herein may also include at least one adjustable tab that operably engages with at least one lock bar of a grating assembly described herein to maintain the grate lifter at a retracted position. The presently disclosed grate lifters address some inadequacies of moving a close-mesh grating and/or close spacing grating surface bars grating assembly from a supporting surface.
In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a grate lifter. The grate lifter includes a main body having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposite to the first end. The grate lifter also includes at least one hook member operably engaged with the main body at the first end and configured to engage one of at least one surface bar of a grating assembly and at least one cross member of the grating assembly. The grate lifter also includes at least one tab operably engaged with the main body at the second end and configured to engage at least one lock bar of the grating assembly. The at least one tab is configured to be adjustable from an initial position to a bent position to engage the at least one lock bar of the grating assembly.
This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the grate lifter is a single monolithic member that is substantially planar between the first end and second end. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that when the grate lifter is provided in a lifted position, the at least one hook member engages with the at least one cross member of the grating assembly and the at least one tab disengages from the at least one lock bar of the grating assembly. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that when the grate lifter is provided in a retracted position, the at least one tab member engages with the at least one lock bar and the at least one hook member disengages from the at least one cross member. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that when the grate lifter is provided in a lifted position, the first end of the grate lifter is positioned outside of the grating assembly; and wherein when the grate lifter is provided in a retracted position, the first end of the grate lifter is positioned inside of the grating assembly. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the main body further comprises: a first surface extending between the first end and the second end; a second surface extending between the first end and the second end and vertically opposite to the first surface; and at least one attachment opening defined at a position between the first end and the second end and extending entirely through the main body between the first surface and the second surface; wherein the at least one opening is configured to enable a tool to operably engage with the grate lifter for transitioning the grate lifter between a lifted position and a retracted position to move the grating assembly. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the main body further comprises: a first side extending between the first end and the second end; and a second side extending between the first end and the second end and transversely opposite to the first side; and wherein the at least one hook member further comprises: a first hook member extending transversely away from the first side, wherein the first hook member is configured to engage with the at least one cross member of the grating assembly; and a second hook member extending transversely away from the second side and transversely opposite to the first hook member, wherein the second hook member is configured to engage at least another cross member of the grating assembly adjacent to the at least one cross member. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include a first hypothetical plane defined along the first surface and the second surface; and a second hypothetical plane defined along the first hook member; and a third hypothetical plane defined along the second hook member; wherein the first hypothetical plane, the second hypothetical plane, and third hypothetical plane are parallel with one another. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the at least one tab further comprises: a first tab extending longitudinally away from the first end, wherein the first tab is configured to engage a first lock bar when adjusted from the initial position to the bent position; and a second tab extending longitudinally away from the first end and transversely opposite to the first tab, wherein the second tab is configured to engage a second lock bar adjacent to the first lock bar when adjusted from the initial position to the bent position. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the main body further comprises: a first aperture defined in the main body; and a second aperture defined in the main body; and wherein the at least one hook member further comprises: a first hook member engaged with the main body inside of the first aperture, wherein the first hook member is configured to engage with the at least one surface bar of the grating assembly; and a second hook member engaged with the main body inside of the second aperture, wherein the second hook member is configured to engage at least another surface bar of the grating assembly adjacent to the at least one surface bar. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include a first hypothetical plane defined along main body; a second hypothetical plane defined along the first hook member; and a third hypothetical plane defined along the second hook member; wherein the first hypothetical plane is perpendicular with and intersects the second hypothetical plane and the third hypothetical plane. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the at least one tab further comprises: a first tab extending longitudinally away from the first end, wherein the first tab is configured to engage the at least one lock bar when adjusted from the initial position to the bent position; and a second tab extending longitudinally away from the first end and transversely opposite to the first tab, wherein the second tab is configured to engage at least another lock bar of the grating assembly adjacent to the at least one lock bar when adjusted from the initial position to the bent position.
In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method. The method comprises steps of inserting at least one grate lifter between at least one pair of surface bars of the grating assembly; installing the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly; engaging a hoist with the at least one grate lifter; moving the at least one grate lifter, via the hoist, from a retracted position to a lifted position; engaging at least one hook member of the at least one grate lifter with one of a surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars of the grating assembly and a cross member of at least one pair of cross members of the grating assembly when the at least one grate lifter is provided in the lifted position; disengaging at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter from a lock bar of at least one pair of lock bars of the grating assembly when the at least one grate lifter is provided in the lifted position; and lifting the grating assembly from a supporting structure.
This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include steps of lowering the grating assembly into the supporting structure; disengaging the hoist from the at least one grate lifter; disengaging the at least one hook member of the at least one grate lifter from one of the surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars of the grating assembly and the cross member of the at least one pair of cross members of the grating assembly when the at least one grate lifter is provided in the retracted position; and engaging the at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter with the lock bar of the at least one pair of lock bars of the grating assembly when the at least one grate lifter is provided in the retracted position. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of installing the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging at least one locking tool with the at least one grate lifter; maintaining the at least one grate lifter, via the at least one locking tool, at the lifted position; engaging at least one installation tool with the at least one tab; and bending the at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter, via the at least one installation tool, from an initial position to a bent position. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of bending the at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter, via the at least one installation tool, from an initial position to a bent position further includes that the at least one tab is bent until the at least one tab is bent to about ninety degrees relative to the initial position or rests on the lock bar of the at least one pair of lock bars. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of installing the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging at least one locking tool with the at least one grate lifter; maintaining the at least one grate lifter, via the at least one locking tool, at the lifted position; engaging a first installation tool with a first tab of the at least one grate lifter; engaging a second installation tool with a second tab of the at least one grate lifter; and bending the first tab and the second tab, via the first installation tool and the second installation tool, from initial positions to bent positions. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of engaging the at least one hook member of the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging a first hook member with a first cross member of the at least one pair of cross members; and engaging a second hook member with a second cross member of the at least one pair of cross members adjacent to the first cross member. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of engaging the at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging a first tab with the lock bar of the at least one pair of lock bars; engaging a second tab with a second lock bar of the at least one pair of lock bars adjacent to the lock bar. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further include that the step of engaging the at least one hook member of the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging a first hook member with a first surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars; and engaging a second hook member with a second surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars adjacent to the first surface bar.
Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
With reference to
Referring to the at least one surface plate 16, grating assembly 10 may include any suitable number of surface plates based on a desired implementation of the grating assembly 10. In one aspect, grating assembly 10 may include a plurality of surface plates 16 that fixedly connects with the pair of side plates 14, at least one pair of cross members 20, and at least one pair of lock bars 22. As illustrated in
Referring to the at least one surface bar 18, grating assembly 10 may include any suitable number of surface bars based on a desired implementation of the grating assembly 10. In one aspect, grating assembly 10 may include a plurality of surface bars 18 that fixedly connects with the pair of side plates 14, at least one pair of cross members 20, and at least one pair of lock bars 22.
Referring to the at least one cross member 20, grating assembly 10 may include any suitable number of cross members and may be fixedly connected with at least one surface bar based on a desired implementation of the grating assembly 10. In one aspect, the at least one pair of cross members 20 may be positioned vertically below at least one surface bar of the plurality of surface bars 18 as the at least one pair of cross members 20 is fixedly connected with the plurality of surface bars 18 (see
Referring to the at least one lock bar 22, grating assembly 10 may include any suitable number of lock bars and may be fixedly connected with at least one surface bar based on a desired implementation of the grating assembly 10. In one aspect, each lock bar of at least one pair of lock bar 22 may pass through the plurality of surface bars 18 as the at least one pair of lock bars 22 is fixedly connected with the plurality of surface bars 18 (see
It should be understood that the grating assembly 10 may be any commercially available grating assembly that is contemplated to be used with a substantially planar support structure, such as supporting structure 12. In one aspect, grating assembly described and illustrated herein may be Wheels n′ Heels® Metro® grating manufactured and sold by Ohio Grating, Inc., which is illustrated in
Supporting structure 12, as shown and discussed herein, is contemplated as a substantially planar structure such as a concrete sidewalk, roadway, or other similar substantially planar structures of the like. It should be understood that supporting structure 12 may include any suitable structure and/or support system, such as metal beams and other structure of the like, that may be found in bridges, elevated walkways, platforms or similar applications. Further, it should also be understood that grating assembly 10 may be sized and configured for installation in supporting structures of varying materials and/or having varying profiles as dictated by the desired implementation. Accordingly, as described herein, use in relation to a sidewalk and/or roadway will be understood as an exemplary use and installation of grating assembly 10 and not a limiting example thereof. Supporting structure 12 is contemplated to have a surface, for example, a walking surface of a sidewalk or a road surface, that is substantially planar and coincides with a plane defined by the top of grating assembly 10, as discussed herein, to maintain a generally even and flat transition between supporting structure 12 and grating assembly 10. This may facilitate installation without having portions of grating assembly 10 extending above or below the surface of supporting structure 12 to eliminate potential hazards or dangers to users, user vehicles, and/or to grating assembly 10 and supporting structure 12.
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Grate lifter 100 may include a main body 120. As best seen in
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Grate lifter 100 also includes at least one hook member that operably engages with the main body 120 at one or both of the first side 120C and the second side 120D of the main body 120. In one example, the grate lifter 100 includes a first hook member 130 that operably engages with the main body 120 at the first side 120C of the main body 120. In the same example, the grate lifter 100 also includes a second hook member 140 that operably engages with the main body 120 at the second side 120D of the main body 120. As described in more detail below, the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 are configured to engage a pair of cross members 20 of the grating assembly 10 when the grate lifter 100 is provided in the lifted position. Inasmuch as the grate lifter 100 includes a first hook member 130 and a second hook member 140, the following description will relate to the first hook member 130. It should be understood, however, that the description of the first hook member 130 applies substantially equally to the second hook member 140 where the second hook member 140 is oriented in a mirrored-image of the first hook member 130 relative to the main body 120.
Referring to
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As described above, each of the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 operably engages with a cross member of the at least one pair of cross members 20 in a substantially similar implementation. Additionally, the second hook member 140 is a mirrored-image of the first hook member 130 relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body 120. As such, a first end 140A, a second end 140B, a first side 140C, a second side 1400, and a third end 140E are substantially similar to the first end 130A, second end 130B, first side 130C, second side 130D, and third end 130E of the first hook member 130.
Moreover, a notch 140F is collectively defined by the main body 120 and the second hook member 140 similar to the notch 130F collectively defined by the main body 120 and the first hook member 130. More particularly, the notch 140F is collectively defined by a portion of the second side 120D of the main body 120 along with the second side 140D and the third end 140E of the second hook member 140. As described in more detail below, the notch 140F is configured to receive a portion of another cross member from the at least one pair of cross members 20 of the grating assembly 10 when the grate lifter 100 is provided in the lifted position. As such, the notch 140F enables the second hook member 140 to engage with the portion of the another cross member from the at least one pair of cross members 20 to move a portion of the grating assembly 10 relative to the supporting structure 12.
It should be understood that the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 may be operably engaged with the main body 120 in any suitable configuration as dictated by the implementation of the grate lifer 100. In one aspect, the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 are formed with the main body 120 in that the main body 120, the first hook member 130, and the second hook member 140 collectively define a single monolithic member. In another aspect, one or both of the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 are engaged with the main body 120 in that the main body 120, the first hook member 130, and/or the second hook member 140 are separate components forming the grate lifter 100.
It should also be understood that the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 may be orientated at any suitable angle and/or orientation relative to the main body 120. In one aspect, the main body 120 is positioned on a first hypothetical plane, and each of the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 is positioned on a second hypothetical plane that is parallel with the first hypothetical plane and free from intersecting the first hypothetical plane.
Grate lifter 100 also includes at least one tab that operably engages with the main body 120 at the first end 120A and positioned proximate to one or both of the first side 120C and the second side 120D of the main body 120. In one example, the grate lifter 100 includes a first tab 150 that operably engages with the main body 120 at the first end 120A and positioned proximate to the first side 120C of the main body 120. In the same example, the grate lifter 100 also includes a second tab 160 that operably engages with the main body 120 at the first end 120A of the main body 120 and positioned proximate to the second side 120D of the main body 120 transversely opposite to the first tab 150. As described in more detail below, the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 are configured to engage a pair of lock bar 22 of the grating assembly 10 when the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 are bent from initial positions (
Referring to
As described above, the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 are configured to engage a pair of lock bar 22 of the grating assembly 10 when the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 are bent from initial positions (
Referring to
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The installation tool 200 also includes at least one interior wall 201I that is positioned between the first side 201C and the second side 201D. As best seen in
The installation tool 200 also defines at least one through-hole 201K. As best seen in
The installation tool 200 also defines a handle 201L proximate to the first end 201A of the installation tool 200. As best seen in
Having now described the grate lifter 100 along with the installation tool 200, a method of installing a grate lifter 100 with the grating assembly 10 is described in more detail below.
Initially, a user may introduce the grate lifter 100 into a portion of the grating assembly 10 from the bottom end 10B of the grating assembly 10. As best seen in
The user may keep inserting the grate lifter 100 into the grating assembly 10 until the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 operably engage with the pair of cross members 20. As best seen in
Once the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 130 are engaged with the pair of cross members 20, the user may then introduce and engage at least one locking tool 220 with the grate lifter 100 to maintain the grate lifter 100 at the lifted position for installing one or both of the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 with the grating assembly 10. As illustrated in
It should be understood that any suitable locking tools may be used to maintain the grate lifter 100 at the lifted position during installation of the grate lifter 100 with the grating assembly 10. In one aspect, locking pliers or similar tools of the like may be used to maintain the grate lifter 100 at the lifted position during installation of the grate lifter 100 with the grating assembly 10 (see
Once the grate lifter 100 is locked at the lifted position, the user may introduce at least one installation tool 200 to the first tab 150 and the second tab 160. As best seen in
Once the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 2008 are engaged with the grate lifter 100, the user may then apply a rotational force on each of the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 200B, via the handles 201L, to bend the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 from initial positions to bent positions. As best seen in
The user may continue to bend the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 with the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 200B until the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 are substantially perpendicular to the first side 120C and the second side 120D of the main body 120. In one aspect, the user may continue to bend the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 with the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 200B until the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 are bent to approximately ninety degrees measured relative to the initial positions. In another aspect, a user may continue to bend the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 with the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 2008 until the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 may engage the pair of lock bars 22 where the grate lifter 100 is freely moveable inside of the grating assembly 10 without interference from at least one surface bar 18, at least one cross member 20, or at least one lock bar 22.
While not illustrated herein, the handles 201L of the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 200B would be facing one another in order to bend the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 away from one another. Stated differently, the handles 201L of the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 200B would be facing towards the main body 120 when bending the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 away from one another.
It should be understood that while two, separate installation tools 200A, 200B were used to bend the first tab 150 and second tab 160, any suitable number of installation tools may be used to bend one or both of the first tab 150 and the second tab 160. In one example, a single installation tool 200 may be used to bend the first tab 150 in a first operation and then be used to bend the second tab 160 in a second operation subsequent to performing the first operation. Such use of a single installation tool 200 may be used to bend both the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 in separate operations due to specific scenarios, including the availability of only one installation tool and the area of installing a grate lifter.
Once the first tab 150 and second tab 160 are bent from the initial positions to the bent positions, the user may then remove the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 200B from the first tab 150 and the second tab 160. Such removal of the first installation tool 200A and the second installation tool 200B from the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 is denoted by arrows labeled “P2” shown in
It should be understood that the user may reintroduce and reengage the installation tools 200 and the locking tools 220 if the grate lifter 100 is unable to move freely between the lifted position and the retracted position. As such, operations described above and illustrated in
It should be understood that one or more grate lifters 100 may be installed with the grating assembly 10 for enabling ease of lifting and lowering the grating assembly 10 from and into the supporting structure 12. As such, the installation methods and techniques described above and illustrated in
It should be understood that one or more grate lifters 100 may be installed with a new grating assembly 10 or with a preexisting grating assembly 10 currently used in the field. While not illustrated herein, a user may install one or more grate lifters 100 with a preexisting grating assembly 10 when one or more preexisting grate lifters 100 are inoperable for lifting the grating assembly 10 (e.g., one or both of the first hook member 130 and the second hook member 140 fail to engage one or both cross members of the pair of cross members 20). While not illustrated herein, a user may install one or more grate lifters 100 with a preexisting grating assembly 10 when one or more preexisting grate lifters 100 are inoperable for fully retracting into the grating assembly 10 (e.g., one or both of the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 fail to engage one or both lock bars of the pair of lock bars 22).
Having now described the method of installing the grate lifter 100 with the grating assembly 10, a method of moving a portion of the grating assembly 10 from the supporting structure 12 via the grate lifter 100 is described in more detail below.
Prior to moving a portion of the grating assembly 10 from the supporting structure 12, the grate lifter 100 is provided in the retracted position (see
As best seen in
It should be understood that one or more grate lifter 100 may be operably engaged with one or more hoists 240 for enabling ease of lifting and lowering the grating assembly 10 from and into the supporting structure 12. As such, the lifting methods and techniques described above and illustrated in
As best seen in
It should be understood that grate lifter 100′ is similar to grate lifter 100 described above and illustrated in
Grate lifter 100′ may include a main body 120′. As best seen in
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As described above, the first hook member 130′ and the second hook member 140′ operably engages with a surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars 18′ in a substantially similar implementation. Additionally, the first hook member 130′ and the second hook member 140′ are provided in a mirror-image orientation relative to the main body 120. As such, the second hook member 140′ include a first end 140A′, a second end 140B′, a first side 140C′, a second side 140D′, a top end 140E′, and a bottom surface 140F′ that are substantially similar to the first end 130A′, second end 130B′, first side 130C′, second side 130D′, top end 130E′, and bottom end 130F′ of the first hook member 130′.
It should be understood that the first hook member 130′ and the second hook member 140′ may be operably engaged with the main body 120′ in any suitable configuration as dictated by the implementation of the grate lifer 100′. In one aspect, the first hook member 130′ and the second hook member 140′ are formed with the main body 120′ in that the main body 120′, the first hook member 130′, and the second hook member 140′ collectively define a single monolithic member. In another aspect, one or both of the first hook member 130′ and the second hook member 140′ are engaged with the main body 120′ in that the main body 120′, the first hook member 130′, and/or the second hook member 140′ are separate components forming the grate lifter 100′.
It should also be understood that the first hook member 130′ may be orientated at any suitable angle and/or orientation relative to the main body 120′. In one aspect, the main body 120′ is positioned on a first hypothetical plane, and the first hook member 130′ is positioned on a second hypothetical plane that is perpendicular with the first hypothetical plane and intersects with the first hypothetical plane. It should also be understood that the second hook member 140′ may also be orientated at any suitable angle and/or orientation relative to the main body 120′. In the same aspect, the main body 120′ is positioned on the first hypothetical plane, and the second hook member 140′ is positioned on a third hypothetical plane that is perpendicular with the first hypothetical plane and intersects with the first hypothetical plane.
It should also be understood that the grate lifter 100′ may include one or more hook members that operably engaged with the main body 120′ dictated by the implementation of the grate lifter 100′, including the number of apertures defined in the main body 100′, the size, shape, and configuration of the grater lifter 100′, and other suitable reasons. Examples of suitable number of hook members that operably engaged with a main body include at least one, a plurality, three, four, five, and any other suitable number of hook members may be operably engaged with the main body dictated by the implementation of the grate lifter.
Grate lifter 100′ also includes at least one tab that operably engages with the main body 120′ at the first end 120A′ and positioned proximate to one or both of the first side 120C′ and the second side 120D′ of the main body 120′. In one example, the grate lifter 100′ includes a first tab 150′ that operably engages with the main body 120′ at the first end 120A′ and positioned proximate to the first side 120C′ of the main body 120′. In the same example, the grate lifter 100′ also includes a second tab 160′ that operably engages with the main body 120′ at the first end 120A′ of the main body 120′ and positioned proximate to the second side 120D′ of the main body 120′ transversely opposite to the first tab 150′. It should be understood that the first tab 150′ is substantially similar to the first tab 150 described above as well as the second tab 160′ being substantially similar to the second tab 160 described above.
Similar to the first tab 150 and the second tab 160 discussed above, first tab 150′ and second tab 160′ are configured to engage a pair of lock bar 22′ of the grating assembly 10′ when the first tab 150′ and the second tab 160′ are bent from initial positions to bent positions (
Having now described the components and parts of the grate lifter 100′, a method of installing the grate lifter 100′ with a portion of the grating assembly 10′ is discussed below.
Initially, a user may introduce the grate lifter 100′ into a portion of the grating assembly 10′ from a bottom end 10B′ of the grating assembly 10′. As best seen in
The user may keep inserting the grate lifter 100′ into the grating assembly 10′ until the first hook member 130′ and the second hook member 140′ operably engage with at least one surface bar 18′ below the lock bars 22′. As best seen in
Referring to
While not illustrated herein, the user may introduce and engage the installation tools 200 and the locking tools 220 with the grate lifter 100 to install the grate lifter 100′ with the grating assembly 10′. As such, operations described above and illustrated in
It should be understood that one or more grate lifters 100′ may be installed with the grating assembly 10′ for enabling ease of lifting and lowering the grating assembly 10′ from and into the supporting structure 12. As such, the installation methods and techniques described above and illustrated in
It should be understood that one or more grate lifters 100′ may be installed with a new grating assembly 10′ or with a preexisting grating assembly 10′ currently used in the field. While not illustrated herein, a user may install one or more grate lifters 100′ with a preexisting grating assembly 10′ when one or more preexisting grate lifters 100′ are inoperable for lifting the grating assembly 10′ (e.g., one or both of the hook members 130′, 140′ fail to engage the first set of surface bars 18A′ and/or the second set of surface bars 18B′). While not illustrated herein, a user may install one or more grate lifters 100′ with a preexisting grating assembly 10′ when one or more preexisting grate lifters 100′ are inoperable for fully retracting into the grating assembly 10′ (e.g., one or both of the first tab 150′ and the second tab 160′ fail to engage one or both lock bars of the pair of lock bars 22′).
Having now described the method of installing the grate lifter 100′ with the grating assembly 10′, a method of moving a portion of the grating assembly 10′ from the supporting structure 12 via the grate lifter 100′ is described in more detail below.
Prior to moving a portion of the grating assembly 10′ from the supporting structure 12, the grate lifter 100 is provided in the retracted position where the first tab 150′ engages with and rests on a first lock bar 22A′ of the pair of lock bar 22′, and the second tab 160′ engages with and rests on a second lock bar 22B′ of the pair of lock bar 22′. In this position, the grate lifter 100′ is positioned below the top end 10A′ of the grating assembly 10′ to avoid obstructing or hindering pedestrians, devices, and/or machines from traversing and/or traveling over the grating assembly 10′. More particularly, the first tab 150′ and the second tab 160′ of the grate lifter 100′ are positioned below the top end 10A′ of the grating assembly 10′ to avoid obstructing or hindering pedestrians, devices, and/or machines from traversing and/or traveling over the grating assembly 10′. As such, the grate lifter 100′ remains below the top end 10N and inside of the grating assembly 10′ until the grate lifter 100′ is lifted from the retracted position to the lifted position.
A user may then operably engage a hoist or a winch (similar to hoist 240 discussed above) with the grate lifter 100′, via the attachment opening 120G′, for vertically moving the grating assembly 10′ from the supporting structure 12 via the grate lifter 100′. Prior to engage the hoist to the grate lifter 100′, a user may need to manually move the grate lifter 100′ upwardly from the grating assembly 10′ until the attachment opening 120G′ is above the top end 10A′ of the grating assembly 10′ and outside the grating assembly 10′. Once the hoist is engaged with the grate lifter 100′, the hoist may then linearly move the grate lifter 100′ upwards until the first hook member 130′ and the second hook member 140′ engage with the first set of surface bars 18A′ and the second pair of surface bars 18B′ to provide the grate lifter 100′ in the lifted position. Once in the lifted position, the hoist may then move a portion of the grating assembly 10′, via the grate lifter 100′, from the supporting structure 12 until the grating assembly 10′ is free from engaging with the supporting structure 12.
It should be understood that one or more grate lifter 100′ may be operably engaged with one or more hoists for enabling ease of lifting and lowering the grating assembly 10′ from and into the supporting structure 12. As such, the lifting methods and techniques described above and illustrated in
In other exemplary embodiments, optional steps or additional steps may be provided in method 300. Optional steps may further include lowering the grating assembly into the supporting structure; disengaging the hoist from the at least one grate lifter; disengaging the at least one hook member of the at least one grate lifter from one of the surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars of the grating assembly and the cross member of the at least one pair of cross members of the grating assembly when the at least one grate lifter is provided in the retracted position; and engaging the at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter with the lock bar of the at least one pair of lock bars of the grating assembly when the at least one grate lifter is provided in the retracted position. Optional steps may further include that the step of installing the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging at least one locking tool with the at least one grate lifter; maintaining the at least one grate lifter, via the at least one locking tool, at the lifted position; engaging at least one installation tool with the at least one tab; and bending the at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter, via the at least one installation tool, from an initial position to a bent position. Optional steps may further include that the step of bending the at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter, via the at least one installation tool, from an initial position to a bent position further includes that the at least one tab is bent until the at least one tab is bent to about ninety degrees relative to the initial position or rests on the lock bar of the at least one pair of lock bars. Optional steps may further include that the step of installing the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging at least one locking tool with the at least one grate lifter; maintaining the at least one grate lifter, via the at least one locking tool, at the lifted position; engaging a first installation tool with a first tab of the at least one grate lifter; engaging a second installation tool with a second tab of the at least one grate lifter; and bending the first tab and the second tab, via the first installation tool and the second installation tool, from initial positions to bent positions. Optional steps may further include that the step of engaging the at least one hook member of the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging a first hook member with a first cross member of the at least one pair of cross members; and engaging a second hook member with a second cross member of the at least one pair of cross members adjacent to the first cross member. Optional steps may further include that the step of engaging the at least one tab of the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging a first tab with the lock bar of the at least one pair of lock bars; engaging a second tab with a second lock bar of the at least one pair of lock bars adjacent to the lock bar. Optional steps may further include that the step of engaging the at least one hook member of the at least one grate lifter with the grating assembly further comprises: engaging a first hook member with a first surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars; and engaging a second hook member with a second surface bar of the at least one pair of surface bars adjacent to the first surface bar.
Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.
While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.
The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term “effecting” or a phrase or claim element beginning with the term “effecting” should be understood to mean to cause something to happen or to bring something about. For example, effecting an event to occur may be caused by actions of a first party even though a second party actually performed the event or had the event occur to the second party. Stated otherwise, effecting refers to one party giving another party the tools, objects, or resources to cause an event to occur. Thus, in this example a claim element of “effecting an event to occur” would mean that a first party is giving a second party the tools or resources needed for the second party to perform the event, however the affirmative single action is the responsibility of the first party to provide the tools or resources to cause said event to occur.
When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.
If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +1-1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.