GB2176523A

GB2176523A - Safety device suitable for use with a road gully grating

Info

Publication number: GB2176523A
Application number: GB08515663A
Authority: GB
Inventors: C S Turner
Original assignee: GREATER MANCHESTER COUNCIL
Current assignee: GREATER MANCHESTER COUNCIL
Priority date: 1985-06-20
Filing date: 1985-06-20
Publication date: 1986-12-31
Also published as: GB8515663D0; GB2176523B

Abstract

A safety device suitable for use with a road gully grating comprises a cross member 1 which is connected transversely across the members of a grid or the like and fastened to it thereby reducing the effective length of the gaps between adjacent members and thus reducing the danger to cyclists. Nuts 5 and washers 4 are screwed over screwthreaded portions of studs 2 and 3 which extend from the cross member 1 through appropriate gaps (7) defined between the members of the grid. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A safety strap and method of use The present invention relates to a strap and method of reducing the effective length of gaps defined between members of grids for road gulleys and the like.

Drainage gullies on highways are covered by grids. Many of these grids comprises a plurality of parallel members extending in one direction and defining gaps between the adjacent members of each part. The disposition of the grid is often such that the members extend in the same direction as the highway itself and the widths of the gaps may be such that it is possible for the wheels of bicycles, for example, to slip into the gap possibly resulting in damage to the wheel and danger and/or injury to the rider. An object of the present invention is to obviate this.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap for connection transversely to members extending in one direction and defining a gap therebetween in order to reduce the effective length of the gap in the one direction comprising a cross member and means for fixing the cross member to the member extending in the one direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a grid comprising a plurality of members extending in, or substantially in, one direction whereby to define a gap between the or each pair of adjacent members and a strap connected transversely to the members in order to reduce the effective length of the or each gap.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing the effective length of gaps extending between adjacent members of grids for gulleys and the like including the step of connecting a strip transversely to the members.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevational view of a safety strap according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an under plan view of the safety strap as claimed in Fig. 1; and Figure 3 shows the strap of Fig. 1 in use.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the strap comprises a cross member 1 from which two studs 2 and 3 extend. The studs are preferably welded to the cross member, but may be connected in other ways, such as, for example, through a threaded interconnection.

Alternatively, the studs and cross member could be moulded as a single piece from a suitable synthetic plastics material. The ends of the studs 2 and 3 remote from the cross member are threaded and receive a washer 4 and locknut 5.

Referring to Fig. 3 the use of a strap on a road gulley grid comprising a plurality of members 6 defining gaps 7 between the adjacent members of each pair will now be described.

The grid is first raised and the cross member 1 of the strap is placed transversely of the members 6 of the grid with studs 2 and 3 inserted through appropriate gaps 7. Thereafter, the washers 4 and locknuts 5 are inserted and screwed onto their respective studs 2 and 3 so that the strap 1 is connected fast to the grid. The grid is then lowered again.

The length of the member is chosen to extend completely across the grid. The diameter of the washers is somewhat greater than the width of the corresponding gaps 7 so as to bridge the gap. In this particular case the cross member is 10 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1/4 inch deep. The washers are 22 inches in diameter and the studs are 7 3/8 inches apart.

The above embodiment has been described by way of example only and many variation are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the studs 2 and 3 may be separate from the cross member and extends through one or respective slots to enable the position of the studs to be varied relative to the member 1. This facilitates the use of the same strap on different sizes and/or designs or grid. Possible slots are shown in dotted outline at 10 on Fig. 2.

1. A strap for connection transversely to members extending in one direction and defining a gap therebetween in order to reduce the effective length of the gap in the one direction comprising a cross member and means for fixing the cross member to the members extending in the one direction.

2. A strap as claimed in claim 1, comprising a cross member from which two studs extend.

3. A strap as claimed in claim 2, in which the studs and cross member are moulded as a single piece from a synthetic plastics material.

4. A strap as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the studs are threaded and receive a washer and locknut.

5. A grip comprising a plurality of members extending in, or substantially in, one direction whereby to define a gap between the or each pair of adjacent members and a strap as claimed in any preceding claim connected transversely to the members in order to reduce the effective length of the gap.

6. A strap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A grid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A safety strap and method of use The present invention relates to a strap and method of reducing the effective length of gaps defined between members of grids for road gulleys and the like. Drainage gullies on highways are covered by grids. Many of these grids comprises a plurality of parallel members extending in one direction and defining gaps between the adjacent members of each part. The disposition of the grid is often such that the members extend in the same direction as the highway itself and the widths of the gaps may be such that it is possible for the wheels of bicycles, for example, to slip into the gap possibly resulting in damage to the wheel and danger and/or injury to the rider. An object of the present invention is to obviate this. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap for connection transversely to members extending in one direction and defining a gap therebetween in order to reduce the effective length of the gap in the one direction comprising a cross member and means for fixing the cross member to the member extending in the one direction. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a grid comprising a plurality of members extending in, or substantially in, one direction whereby to define a gap between the or each pair of adjacent members and a strap connected transversely to the members in order to reduce the effective length of the or each gap. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing the effective length of gaps extending between adjacent members of grids for gulleys and the like including the step of connecting a strip transversely to the members. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevational view of a safety strap according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an under plan view of the safety strap as claimed in Fig. 1; and Figure 3 shows the strap of Fig. 1 in use. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the strap comprises a cross member 1 from which two studs 2 and 3 extend. The studs are preferably welded to the cross member, but may be connected in other ways, such as, for example, through a threaded interconnection. Alternatively, the studs and cross member could be moulded as a single piece from a suitable synthetic plastics material. The ends of the studs 2 and 3 remote from the cross member are threaded and receive a washer 4 and locknut 5. Referring to Fig. 3 the use of a strap on a road gulley grid comprising a plurality of members 6 defining gaps 7 between the adjacent members of each pair will now be described. The grid is first raised and the cross member 1 of the strap is placed transversely of the members 6 of the grid with studs 2 and 3 inserted through appropriate gaps 7. Thereafter, the washers 4 and locknuts 5 are inserted and screwed onto their respective studs 2 and 3 so that the strap 1 is connected fast to the grid. The grid is then lowered again. The length of the member is chosen to extend completely across the grid. The diameter of the washers is somewhat greater than the width of the corresponding gaps 7 so as to bridge the gap. In this particular case the cross member is 10 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1/4 inch deep. The washers are 22 inches in diameter and the studs are 7 3/8 inches apart. The above embodiment has been described by way of example only and many variation are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the studs 2 and 3 may be separate from the cross member and extends through one or respective slots to enable the position of the studs to be varied relative to the member 1. This facilitates the use of the same strap on different sizes and/or designs or grid. Possible slots are shown in dotted outline at 10 on Fig. 2. CLAIMS

7. A grid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of reducing the effective length of gaps extending between adjacent members of grids for gulleys and the like including the step of connecting a strip transversely to the members.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, in which the grid is first raised, studs forming part of the strap are inserted through corresponding gaps, nuts are fastened on the studs to fasten the strap to the grid and the grid is then lowered again.

10. A method of reducing the effective length of gaps extending between adjacent members of grids for gulleys and the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.