GB2279670A

GB2279670A - Floor grating

Info

Publication number: GB2279670A
Application number: GB9413662A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edward Simon Wright
Original assignee: KENNEDY LIONWELD Ltd
Current assignee: KENNEDY LIONWELD Ltd
Priority date: 1993-07-07
Filing date: 1994-07-07
Publication date: 1995-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-07
Also published as: GB9314035D0; GB9413662D0; GB2279670B

Abstract

Cross-bars 2 extend through elongate holes 7 in vertical webs 3 of parallel beams 1. The cross-bars 2 are oblong in cross-section and narrower sides of the cross-bars have notches 8 in which the webs 3 engage to space the beams 1 apart. Each cross-bar 2 consists of two contiguous longitudinal members 2a, 2b, which are identical in profile, thus simplifying manufacture by extrusion, in particular pultrusion. The cross-bars may lie with their major axis vertical or horizontal. In another embodiment a first, notched, cross-bar member may be inserted in a vertical slot in the beams and then moved laterally into a shorter adjoining slot, a second unnotched cross-bar member then being inserted into the first slot. The parts of the grating may be of glass-fibre reinforced plastics. <IMAGE>

Description

FLOOR GRATING This invention relates to a floor grating having parallel beams traversed by cross-bars.

The invention provides a floor grating comprising a plurality of mutually parallel beams, each having at least one vertical web, and cross-bars extending through holes in the webs of the beams, the cross-bars having notches in which the webs engage to space the beams apart, the cross-bars being oblong in cross-section, the notches being in narrower sides of the cross-bars, each cross-bar consisting of two contiguous longitudinal members which are identical in profile.

The two-part cross-bar facilitates assembly and is of low cost and complexity.

A vertically oblong cross-section enhances resistance to bending under load. The ratio of height to width is preferably at least 2:1, at most 6:1. In one embodiment each cross-bar consists of an upper longitudinal portion and a lower longitudinal portion having respective opposed surfaces extending longitudinally of the cross-bar, the holes being vertically oblong.

A horizontally oblong cross-section is preferred if the depth of the beams is small.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a floor grating consisting of beams and cross-bars; Figure 2 is a section through a beam, taken on line II-II in Figure 3, and showing part of a cross-bar; Figure 3 is an end view of a cross-bar, showing part of a beam; Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a beam; Figure 5 is an end elevation of the beam; Figure 6 is an end elevation of the upper portion of a cross-bar; Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper cross-bar portion; Figure 8 is an end elevation of the lower cross-bar portion; Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the lower cross-bar portion; Figures 10 and 11 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2, respectively, for another embodiment of floor grating; Figures 12 and 13 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2, respectively, for a further embodiment of floor grating; Figures 14 and 15 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2, respectively, for a further embodiment of floor grating; and Figure 14 is a cross-section through a further embodiment of a cross-bar, showing part of an associated beam.

The floor grating illustrated in Figures 1 to 9 comprises mutually parallel, equally spaced beams 1 and mutually parallel, equally spaced cross-bars 2, all made of composite material, in particular glass-fibre reinforced plastics material (GRP). Each beam 1 is of T-section and has a vertical web 3, a horizontal upper flange Ii, and a lower flange 6. Alternatively, the beam may be of I-section, in which case the lower flange will be substantially similar to the upper flange.

Each beam 1 has a series of equally spaced holes 7 in its web 3, approximately mid-way between the flanges 4,6. The hole 7 is oblong, with its long axis vertical, and is approximately rectangular but with its upper and lower ends rounded to avoid sharp corners which might weaken the beam. The cross-section of each cross-bar 2 is also oblong, with the long axis vertical, being approximately rectangular with rounded ends. The webs 3 of the beams 1 fit closely in notches 8 spaced along the upper side of each cross-bar 2, the flanges 4 being spaced above the cross-bars 2.

Each cross-bar 2 consists of upper and lower longitudinal portions 2a,2b which are identical in cross-section, thus facilitating manufacture. The portions 2a,2b have respective opposed plane surfaces 9a,9b which are in mutual contact (optionally with interposition of an adhesive). The cross-bar 2 is applied to the beams 1 by inserting the upper portion 2a through the holes 7, aligning the webs 3 and notches 8, raising the upper portion 2a until the bases of its notches 8 bear against the upper ends of the holes 7, and inserting the lower portion 2b through the holes 7.

By way of example only, the dimensions a to 1 and radius R shown in the drawings may be as follows (in mm): a = 20 to 75 (e.g. 40, 50, 60, or 65), b = 50 to 300 (e.g. 150), c = 25 to 50 (e.g. 38), d = 6 to 50 (e.g. 25), e = 10 to 25 (e.g. 18), f = 2 to 8 (e.g. 3), g = 4 to 8 (e.g. 6), h = 15 to 25 (e.g. 16), i = 4 to 8 (e.g. 6), j = 8 to 16 (e.g. 10), k = 2 to 8 (e.g. 3), 1 = 5 to 10 (e.g. 7), R = 2 to 4 (e.g. 3).

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance notches may be provided in the lower portions 2b of some or all of the cross-bars 2, additionally or instead of in the upper portions 2a. The opposed surfaces 9a,9b may be non-planar (e.g. stepped or curved in cross-section) so as to resist relative transverse motion of the two portions 2a,2b. The beams and/or the cross-bars may be made (wholly or partly) of metal (e.g. steel or aluminium). The upper (wear) surfaces of the beams may be a wear resistant and/or non-slip surface or profile.

In the embodiment of floor grating shown in Figures 10 and 11, the beams 1'are of I-section with narrow upper and lower flanges 4',6'.

The upper surface of the beam 1' has longitudinal ridges 11 to enhance grip.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 12 and 13 the beams 1" are hollow having two vertical webs 3 and upper and lower horizontal walls 4",6". (In an alternative embodiment the lower wall may be omitted.) In the embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15 the oblong holes 7 and the oblong cross-sections of the cross-bars 2 have their long axes horizontal instead of vertical, the two portions 2a,2b of each cross-bar 2 being arranged side by side, with their opposed surfaces 9a,9b in a vertical plane. This embodiment is useful if the depth of the web 3 of the beam 1 is small.

In Figure 16 the hole 7' has a vertical slot 12 into which a first cross-bar member 2a' is inserted and then slid across (horizontally, as indicated by the arrows) into a shorter extension slot 13 in order to engage the web 3 in upper and lower notches 8'. A second (unnotched) cross-bar member 2b'is then be inserted into the slot 12 and, if necessary, bolted to the cross-bar member 2a' to fill the hole 7'.

It will be appreciated that, in all the above-described embodiments, the two-part cross-bars are made from only one section profile (which can be produced by extrusion, in particular pultrusion), thereby minimising manufacturing and storage costs. Thus the production of a floor grating requires only two extrusion or pultrusion processes, one to form the beam section and the other to form the cross-bar part-section.

Claims

Claims:

1. A floor grating comprising a plurality of mutually parallel beams, each having at least one vertical web, and cross-bars extending through holes in the webs of the beams, the cross-bars having notches in which the webs engage to space the beams apart, the cross-bars being oblong in cross-section, the notches being in narrower sides of the cross-bars, each cross-bar consisting of two contiguous longitudinal members which are identical in profile.

2. A floor grating as claimed in claim 1, in which the oblong cross-section extends vertically.

3. A floor grating as claimed in claim 2, in which the oblong cross-section has a height to width ratio of at least 2:1.

ii. A floor grating as claimed in claim 3, in which the oblong cross-section has a height to width ratio of at most 6:1.

5. A floor grating as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, in which each cross-bar consists of an upper longitudinal member and a lower longitudinal member, the holes in the beams being vertically oblong.

6. A floor grating as claimed in claim 1, in which the oblong cross-section extends horizontally.

7. A floor grating as claimed in claim 6, in which each cross-bar consists of two contiguous longitudinal members arranged side by side, the holes in the beams being horizontally oblong.

8. A floor grating as claimed in any of preceding claim, in which the oblong cross-section is approximately rectangular.

9. A floor grating as claimed in claim 8, in which the narrower sides of the cross-bars are convex.

10. A floor grating as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the beam spacing is 20 to 75 mm and the cross-bar spacing is 50 to 300 mm.

11. A floor grating as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cross-bar thickness is 4 to 8 mm.

12. A floor grating as claimed in claim 11, in which the notch depth is 5 to 10 mm.

13. A floor grating as claimed in any preceding claim, in which only one of the two contiguous longitudinal members has notches to engage the webs of the beams.

A A floor grating as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adjoining surfaces of the two members are planar.

15. A floor grating as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the two members are extruded sections.

16. A floor grating as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the two members are made of composite material.

17. A floor grating as claimed in claim 16 when dependent on claim 15, in which the two members are pultruded sections.

18. A method of assembling a floor grating according to any preceding claim, in which one said longitudinal member, having notches, is inserted through aligned holes in the beams and its notches are engaged with the webs of the beams, and then the other longitudinal member is inserted through the aligned holes.

19. A floor grating substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 9, Figures 10 and 11, Figures 12 and 13, Figures 14 and 15, or Figure 16 of the accompanying drawings.