AU2015100812A4 - Road Gully Grates - Google Patents

Abstract

A road gully grate assembly has a grate hingedly mounted in the gully frame but is limited to being moved through an angular range no greater 5 than 1350, but more preferably approximately 1100, from the closed position. A hinge rod, or hinge pins, on the frame are received in hinge holes adjacent one end of the grate bars. Alternatively, in a "retro-fit" assembly, using a prior art frame, a hinge member, of substantially inverted U-shape extends transversely at one end of the grate bars, and 10 bolts extending trough the side walls of the hinge member releasably secure the hinge rod within the hinge member. 2314309v12314309v1 67; 40_ E 49 FG5FI.6 FIG..2 %b FIG. 3

Description

1 TITLE: ROAD GULLY GRATES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: 1. Field of the Invention: 5 [0001] This invention relates to road gully grates. [0002] The invention particularly relates, but is not limited to, road gully grates which are located adjacent storm-water drainage sumps along road kerb- sides, paved parking areas or the like. 10 2. Prior art: [0003] NB: The following discussion is by way of background information only, and is not to be considered a statement of the common general knowledge (CGK) in the area of technology. [0004] Storm-water drainage sumps are provided at spaced locations to 15 allow storm-water to be drained from road ways into storm-water collection sumps, which are connected to storm-water plumbing which drains to e.g. nearby creeks or local waterways. [0005] New South Wales has adopted a generic-type road gully grate assembly which is supplied by a number of manufacturers. 20 [0006] The gully grate is hingedly mounted in a substantially U-shaped gully frame; with L-section end members interconnected by an RHS side member. Flat bar is welded to the free ends of the end members, and aligned hinge pins are provided at one end of the frame, adjacent the top edge of the frame. The gulley frame is located adjacent a kerb, over a 25 storm-water drainage sump, with the "open" side of the gully frame towards the kerb. [0007] The grate has a plurality of parallel, spaced, grate bars interconnected by spaced cross-bars. A plate at one end, between a pair of the grate bars, has a hole aligned with a nut in the underlying end 30 member; and a bolt can be passed through the hole and engaged with the nut to lock the grate in the closed position. At the other end of the grate, a RHS or SHS hinge member is welded to the ends of the grate bars, with 2314309v12314309v1 2 its top face substantially coplanar with the top faces of the grate bars. [0008] The hinge pins, received in the ends of the RHS or SHS hinge member, allow the gully grate to be opened through to a fully-open position up to 1700 from the closed (and locked) position, to allow access 5 to the drainage sump e.g. to enable any build-up of waste in the sump to be removed or for other maintenance purposes. [0009] Experience has shown that the hinge members can be easily damaged it the gully grates are released after being initially opened e.g. 1100. There is a tendency for operators to release the grates and allow 10 them to fall to the fully-open position. The impact of the grate bars on the adjacent frame end member can cause the hinge member to be damaged, or even torn away from the grate bars. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION: 15 [0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gulley grate, or gully grate assembly, which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the problems with existing gully grate assemblies. [0011] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: [0012] In one aspect, the present invention resides in a road gully grate assembly including: a substantially U-shaped frame, the frame having a pair of frame end 25 members interconnected by a frame side member; a respective hinge pin mounted on, or adjacent, each frame end member intermediate the height of the frame end member; a gully grate, having a plurality of spaced, parallel, grate bars interconnected by a plurality of spaced cross-bars; and 30 a respective hinge hole through each grate bar adjacent one end thereof, the hinge holes being axially aligned; so arranged that: when the gully grate is mounted in the frame and the hinge pins are 2314309v12314309v1 3 operably engaged on the hinge holes, the grate is movable to an opened position limited to a range of 900 to 1350 from a closed position. [0013] Preferably, the angular range is 1000 to 1200, more preferably 1100 to 1150 from the closed position. 5 [0014] Preferably, the frame end members are of substantially L-shape, with a leg portion and a foot portion; and in the opened position, top faces of the grate bars engage the leg portion of the frame end member on which the hinge pins are mounted. [0015] Preferably, each frame end member has a hinge pin mounting 10 plate at the end of the frame end member distal from the frame side member; a first hinge pin is mounted on the hinge mounting plate; and a second hinge pin is mounted on the frame side member. [0015] In a second aspect, the present invention resides in a road gully 15 grate assembly including: a substantially U-shaped frame, the frame having a pair of frame end members interconnected by a frame side member; a respective hinge pin mounted on, or adjacent, each frame end member substantially at the height of top of the frame end member; and 20 a gully grate, having a plurality of spaced, parallel, grate bars interconnected by a plurality of spaced cross-bars; wherein: a hinge member, of substantially inverted U-shape extends transversely to one end of the grate bars; and a plurality of securing members are operable to extend into the hinge 25 member; so arranged that: when the gully grate is mounted in the frame and the hinge pins are operably engaged on the hinge member and secured against release by the securing members, the grate is movable to an opened position limited to a range of 900 to 1350 from a closed position. 30 [0016] Preferably, the angular range is 1000 to 1200, more preferably 1100 to 1150 from the closed position. [0017] Preferably, the frame end members are of substantially L-shape, 2314309v12314309v1 4 with a leg portion and a foot portion; and in the opened position, top faces of the grate bars engage the leg portion of the frame end member on which the hinge pins are mounted. [0018] Preferably, each frame end member has a hinge pin mounting 5 plate at the end of the frame end member distal from the frame side member; a first hinge pin is mounted on the hinge mounting plate; and a second hinge pin is mounted on the frame side member. [0019] Preferably, the hinge member is rolled or formed with rounded 10 corners interconnecting the respective side walls to the top wall of the hinge members; and the securing members are bolts, studs or the like which interconnect the side walls of the hinge member below the top wall thereof at a distance just greater than the thickness (or diameter) of the respective hinge pins. 15 [0020] In an alternative version of each of the two embodiments, a single hinge rod, spanning the hinge mounting plate and the side member, may be substituted for the hinge pins to hingedly mount the grate in the frame. [0021] Other preferred features will become apparent from the following description. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: [0022] To enable the invention to be fully understood, and to enable the skilled addressee to put the invention into practice, a number of preferred embodiments will now be described, with reference to the accompanying 25 illustrations, in which: FIG. 1 is sectional side elevational view of a gully grate assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the gully grate assembly; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof; 30 FIG. 4 is a side view of a hinge pin mounting plate for the assembly; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the gully grate; FIG. 6 is a side elevational view thereof; 2314309v12314309v1 5 FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a gully grate assembly, in accordance with a second embodiment, with the grate in the opened position; FIG. 8 is a similar view with the grate in the closed position; FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the grate; 5 FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are top plan, side elevational and end elevational, views, respectively, of the grate; and FIG. 13 is an isometric view, on a larger scale, of Detail "A" on FIG. 7, showing the hinging arrangement for the grate. [0023] NB: Any annotations, including dimensions and angles, on the 10 drawings are by way of illustration only, and are not limiting to, or form part of, the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: [0024] Referring to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, the gully grate 15 assembly 10 has a substantially U-shaped frame 20 in which is hingedly mounted the grate 40, movable between the closed position in FIG. 2 and the opened position illustrated in FIG. 1. [0025] The frame 20 has L-shaped end members 21, 22 interconnected by a RHS side member 23. Each end member has a leg-portion 24 and a 20 foot-portion 25. Lifting handles 26 extend from the ends of the frame 20 and may be embedded to assist in locating the frame 20 over a drainage gully sump (not shown) provided in a section of roadway kerb (also not shown). [0026] A hinge mounting plate 27, illustrated in FIG. 4, is provided at the 25 distal end of the end member 21 spaced from the side member 23. A hinge rod 28 extends through a hole 29 in the mounting plate 27; and the other end of the hinge rod 28 is received in a co-axially aligned hole in the inner face of the side member 23. [0027] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the hinge rod 28 is intermediate the height 30 of the mounting plate 27 i.e., below the top edge of the leg-portion 24 of the end member 21. [0028] A nut 30 is welded to the foot-portion 25 of the other end member 2314309v12314309v1 6 22. [0029] The grate 40 has a plurality of spaced, parallel grate bars 41 interconnected by cross-bars 42. Intermediate grate bars 41a are of increased depth, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. 5 [0030] A locking plate 43 is provided at one end of the grate 40 and has a hole 44 align able with the nut 30 to receive a locking (not shown) to releasably lock the grate 40 in the closed position. [0031] A plurality of aligned hinge holes 45 are provided in the ends of the grate bars 41 to receive the hinge rod 28 It will be noted that the hinge 10 holes 45 are intermediate the height the grate bars 41. [0032] When the grate 40 is mounted in the frame 20, and the hinge rod 28 is received in the hinge holes 45, the geometry of the arrangement limits the grate 40 being opened to an angle of e.g. 1100 from the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1. At this opened position, the top faces of 15 the grate bars 41 engage the top face of the leg-portion 24 of the end member 21. This prevents the grate 40 from being released and falling further, creating considerable impact forces on the grate; and particularly on the hinge mechanism mounting the grate 40 in the frame 20. [0033] The angle of 1100 is most preferred, as an operator has free entry 20 to the drainage sump below the gully grate assembly 10, will minimizing to load on the hinge mechanism if the grate 40 is released after it has passed 900. The skilled addressee will understand, however, that the grate 40 may be opened to greater angles e.g. up to 1350, but more preferably not over 1200 25 [0034] The second embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 13, provides a grate 140 which can be provided as a "retro-fit " to existing frames 120; but where the grate 140 can only be opened to the same limited [0035] In the frame 120 of the prior art assembly, the hinge rod 128 is located just below the top face of the leg-portion 124 of the end member 30 121. [0036] The SHS hinge member of the existing grate is removed, or substituted by, a transverse hinge member 145, to be hereinafter 2314309v12314309v1 7 described, interconnecting the ends of the grate bars 141 of the grate 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11. [0037] the hinge member 145 is preferably formed from a strip of steel, which is rolled or formed (e.g. in a press-brake) into a substantially 5 inverted U-shape, with side walls 146, 147 connected by a top wall 148. Preferably the corners interconnecting the adjacent walls 146, 148 and 147, 148 do not have a sharp radius, to minimise stress buildup. [0038] Aligned pairs of holes 149 in the side walls 146, 147 receive locking bolts 150, secured by nuts 151. The holes 149 are arranged to be 10 spaced below the top wall 148 a small distance greater than the diameter of the hinge rod 128. The bolts 150 secure the hinge member 145 to the hinge rod 128 as shown in FIG. 13. [0039] As for the first embodiment, when the grate 140 is mounted in the (prior art) frame 120, and the hinge rod 128 is received in the hinge 15 member 145, and secured therein by the bolts 150, the geometry of the arrangement limits the grate 140 to being opened to an angle of e.g. 1100 from the closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and13. At this opened position, the top faces of the grate bars 141 engage the top face of the leg-portion 124 of the end member 121. 20 [0040] The skilled addressee will appreciate that by limiting the angle to which the grate 40, 140 can be opened, and preventing the grate falling to a position e.g. 1700 from the closed position, the shock loads on the grate, and particularly the hinge mechanism therefore, will be minimised; and the life of the grate will be extended (Or maintenance therefor reduced). 25 [0041] Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention. 30 2314309v12314309v1

Claims (5)

1. A road gully grate assembly including: a substantially U-shaped frame, the frame having a pair of frame end 5 members interconnected by a frame side member; a respective hinge pin mounted on, or adjacent, each frame end member intermediate the height of the frame end member; a gully grate, having a plurality of spaced, parallel, grate bars interconnected by a plurality of spaced cross-bars; and 10 a respective hinge hole through each grate bar adjacent one end thereof, the hinge holes being axially aligned; so arranged that: when the gully grate is mounted in the frame and the hinge pins are operably engaged on the hinge holes, the grate is movable to an opened position limited to a range of 900 to 1350, more preferably 1000 1200, most 15 preferably 1100 to 1150, from the closed position.

2. A grate assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the frame end members are of substantially L-shape, with a leg portion and a foot portion; each frame end member has a hinge pin mounting plate at the end of the 20 frame end member distal from the frame side member; a first hinge pin is mounted on the hinge mounting plate; and a second hinge pin is mounted on the frame side member; and in the opened position, top faces of the grate bars engage the leg portion of the frame end member on which the hinge pins are mounted. 25

3. A road gully grate assembly including: a substantially U-shaped frame, the frame having a pair of frame end members interconnected by a frame side member; a respective hinge pin mounted on, or adjacent, each frame end member substantially at the height of top of the frame end member; and 30 a gully grate, having a plurality of spaced, parallel, grate bars interconnected by a plurality of spaced cross-bars; wherein: a hinge member, of substantially inverted U-shape extends transversely to 2314309v12314309v1 9 one end of the grate bars; and a plurality of securing members are operable to extend into the hinge member; so arranged that: when the gully grate is mounted in the frame and the hinge pins are 5 operably engaged on the hinge member and secured against release by the securing members, the grate is movable to an opened position limited to a range of 900 to 1350, more preferably 1000 to 1200, most preferably 1100 to 1150, from the closed position.

4. The grate assembly of claim 3, wherein: 10 the frame end members are of substantially L-shape, with a leg portion and a foot portion; each frame end member has a hinge pin mounting plate at the end of the frame end member distal from the frame side member; a first hinge pin is mounted on the hinge mounting plate; 15 a second hinge pin is mounted on the frame side member; the securing members are bolts, studs or the like which interconnect the side walls of the hinge member below the top wall thereof at a distance just greater than the thickness (or diameter) of the respective hinge pins; and 20 in the opened position, top faces of the grate bars engage the leg portion of the frame end member on which the hinge pins are mounted.

5. The grate assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: a single hinge rod, spanning the hinge mounting plate and the side member, is substituted for the hinge pins to hingedly mount the grate in 25 the frame. 30 2314309v12314309v1