GB2282171A

GB2282171A - Road surface gratings

Info

Publication number: GB2282171A
Application number: GB9319841A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Thompson
Original assignee: GLYNWED FOUNDRY PROD Ltd
Current assignee: GLYNWED FOUNDRY PROD Ltd
Priority date: 1993-09-25
Filing date: 1993-09-25
Publication date: 1995-03-29
Also published as: GB9319841D0

Abstract

A grating and frame assembly 10 comprises a rectangular frame having side walls 12 - 15 defining and opening 21 for the grating 11. An inwardly extending flange (18, Fig. 2) is provided on one or more of the side walls around at least part of the opening and a plurality of seatings 22 - 25 are provided on the flange to support the grating 11 in the opening. The grating 11 has seat engaging formations which support the grating on the seatings 22 - 25 above the flange and spaced from the side walls to provide additional drainage apertures between the grating and the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Grating and frame assembly" Description of Invention This invention relates to a grating and frame assembly, particularly, but not exclusively, for use as roadway furniture.

Grating and frame assemblies are known which comprise one or more grating parts supported by the frame in an opening afforded by the frame, in a generally horizontal orientation, such that water or other liquid can drain through drainage apertures provided in the grating only, into the opening below.

Arrangements are also known in which the frame affording an opening for the grating comprises a plain upstanding side wall with seatings which support the grating so that there is a drainage aperture between the grating and one or more of the side walls.

According to the invention we provide a grating and frame assembly comprising a frame having one or more side walls defining an opening for the grating, the grating having at least one drainage aperture therethrough whereby liquid can pass through the grating into the opening, the side wall or one or more of the side walls providing around at least part of the opening an inwardly extending flange means and there being a plurality of seatings positioned around the opening to support the grating in the opening in a position such that a further drainage aperture is provided between the grating and the frame at least around a major part of the opening where the flange means is provided.

Thus the invention enables a grating and frame assembly to be provided in which the area of the assembly occupied by drainage apertures can be increased compared with a conventional like assembly of the same nominal dimensions.

The assembly in accordance with the invention may be generally circular, but preferably is generally rectangular in plan view, the opening afforded by the frame being generally rectangular, and the frame comprising four side walls which define the opening.

The grating may comprise a single grating part but such gratings for use as roadway furniture are usually made as metal castings in sections.

Preferably, therefore, a grating of an assembly in accordance with the invention comprises two or more grating parts which may be coupled together or separate from one another as desired.

For example, where the frame is generally rectangular, the grating may comprise a pair of right-angled triangular grating parts, with the respective hypotenuse extending from one corner of the opening to an opposite corner of the opening, and the hypotenuse of the two triangular grating parts mutually facing one another. If desired, the mutually facing hypotenuse of the two triangular grating parts may each have a recess so as to provide between them a yet further drainage aperture.

Particularly where the grating comprises a single grating part, the grating may be hinged relative to the frame for movement about a hinge axis between closed and open positions.

Preferably the grating, or each grating part, is provided with a plurality of drainage apertures in the form of generally parallel slots, which in one example may extend in a direction generally parallel to one side of the grating or grating part and generally perpendicular to another side of the grating or grating part respectively.

In a preferred arrangement, at least two, preferably three, side walls of the frame may each comprise an upstanding wall part and a generally inwardly extending flange of the flange means, so that a further drainage aperture is provided along two or three sides of the frame respectively. The upstanding wall parts may thus be each spaced outwardly of the adjacent grating side, at least over the majority of its length, the further drainage aperture being provided between the upstanding wall part and the adjacent grating side.

Where the assembly is generally rectangular, four seatings may be provided, one at each corner of the opening. The seatings are preferably each of a configuration such that when the grating or grating parts is/are supported in the opening, any tendency of the grating or grating parts to rock, for example as traffic passes over the assembly, is eliminated.

For example, each seating may comprise first and second surfaces inclined relative to one another, for example, at about 1200, about a respective axis, which may lie at 45" to the respective corner of the opening, and the grating may be provided with corresponding seat engaging formations on its underside.

Where the grating is provided by a pair of generally triangular grating parts, each grating part may have a first seat engaging formation beneath its rightangled corner which engages with two surfaces of a seating at a respective corner of the opening, and each of the other two apexes of the triangle may have a second seat engaging formation which engages with one only of the inclined surfaces of the seatings at two other corners of the opening, such that when supported in the frame, the two grating parts tend to move away from one another towards the respective opposite corners of the frame where the right angled corners of the triangular grating parts are accommodated.

Preferably the seatings of the frame are provided inwardly of the flange means where provided, and the seat engaging formations of the grating or grating parts may thus be located below a respective area of the grating which, apart from the seatings, would be above the opening defined by the frame.

If desired, along the side or sides of the frame where the flange means is provided, one or more inwardly extending bridge formations may be provided, and the grating or grating parts may have corresponding bridge formations which extend outwardly of the respective sides of the grating towards the bridge formations of the frame so that in the regions of the flange means, the continuity of the further drainage aperture provided between the side of the grating and the side wall of the frame in interrupted.

Preferably the seatings of the frame, are located so as to support the grating or each grating part above the level of the flange means so as to allow drainage of water between the grating, or the grating parts, and the flange means, into the opening afforded by the frame.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the frame of the grating and frame assembly in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a section along the lines A-A of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a section along the lines B-B of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a grating for use in the assembly of Figures 1 to 3; FIGURE 5 is a view on the line E of Figure 4; FIGURE 6 is a view on the line G of Figure 4; and FIGURE 7 is a view on the line C of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, a grating and frame assembly in accordance with the invention comprises a frame 10, and a grating comprising two generally identical grating parts 11, only one of which is shown.

In this example, the frame 10 is generally rectangular, having four side walls 12, 13, 14, 15. Each side wall 12 - 15 comprises an upstanding part 16, and the side walls 12 - 14, in this example, comprise a flange means 18, being an outwardly extending flange 19 to facilitate embedding the frame 10 in the ground, and an inwardly extending flange 20. The flanges 19, 20 together give rigidity and strength to the frame 10.

The frame 10 thus affords a generally rectangular opening 21 and in each corner of the opening 21, a respective seating 22, 23, 24, 25 is provided.

Each seating 22 - 25 comprises a pair of generally planar surfaces 26,27 spaced above flange 20, and inclined relative to one another at about 1200 about an axis 4, which extends at about 450 to the adjacent sides.

Thus the four side walls 12 - 15 define a generally rectangular opening 21 to receive the grating parts 11, which then close the opening 21 apart from the provision of waterways, as hereinafter described, to permit the flow of water or other liquid into the opening 21.

At the corners C of the frame 10, the side walls 12, 13; 13, 14; 14, 15; 15, 12 connect in a stepped configuration so that the upstanding parts 16 of the side walls 12 - 14 provided with the flange means, are spaced from the adjacent grating part sides, when the grating parts 11 are received in the frame 10. The seating 22 - 25 each project inwardly of the opening 33. The frame 10 is conveniently cast in iron, but could otherwise be fabricated or cast in other materials as desired.

The upstanding parts 16 of the side walls 12 - 14 also each provide, intermediate the corners C of the frame 10, inwardly extending bridge portions 33, three along each side in this example. The bridge portions 33 do not extend inwardly so far as opening 21, but are effective to interrupt the continuity of further drainage apertures, as hereinafter explained.

Each grating part 11 is of right-angled triangle shape in plan view, each part having three sides 36 - 38. The grating parts are received by the frame with the respective hypotenuse sides 37 facing one another. It can be seen that the hypotenuse sides 37 each have a recessed portion 39 so that a gap is produced between the mutually facing sides 37 of the grating parts 11.

Each grating part 11 comprises a plurality of drainage apertures which are in this example in the form of slots 40 - 45. The slots 40 - 45 each extend generally parallel to one another and in this example, generally parallel to side 36 of the triangle, and generally perpendicular to the side 38 of the triangle. The longer slots 43 - 45 are sub-divided in length by a cross-bar 48.

Thus the slots 40 - 45, and grating bars 50 between the slots 40 - 45, intersect the hypotenuse sides 37 of the triangular grating parts, at about 45".

At each corner of the grating parts 11, a seat engaging formation is provided. It can be seen that the right-angled corner of the triangulargrating part 11, indicated at 53, has on its underside, a seat engaging formation comprising a pair of surfaces 54, 55 inclined relative to one another at an angle of about 1200 and extending at about 45" to the corner 52 of the grating part 11. The surfaces 54, 55 are adapted to be engaged with the corresponding surfaces 26, 27 of seating 23 of the frame.

Each of the other two apexes of the triangular grating part 11 has on its underside a seat engaging formation comprising a single surface 56 inclined at about 600 to the horizontal, which is adapted to be engaged with one of the inclined surfaces 26, 27 of the seatings 22, 24 in the appropriate corners C of the opening 21.

By virtue of the construction of the seatings 22 - 25 and seat engaging surfaces 54 - 56, it will be appreciated that the triangular grating parts 11 will tend to move away from one another towards opposite corners of the opening 21 which accommodate the right angled corners of the grating parts 11.

Thus the gap formed between the recessed portions 37 and the hypotenuse sides 37 of the triangular grating parts 11 will provide a yet further drainage aperture for the drainage of water or other liquid into the opening 21.

The sides 36, 38 of the grating parts 11 each have outwardly extending bridge portions 60 which extend towards the bridge portions 33 above the abutments 28 - 30 of the frame 10.

It can be seen that the triangular grating parts 11, when received in the frame 10, are positioned in the opening 21 defined by the side walls 12 - 15.

By virtue of the seatings 22 - 25 of the frame 10 being spaced above the inwardly extending flange 20 of side walls 12 - 14 and by virtue of the upstanding parts 16 of the side walls 12 - 14 being spaced outwardly of the adjacent grating side, it can be seen particularly from Figure 2, that further drainage openings will be provided between the grating parts 11 and the frame 10, along the sides 12 - 14 where the flange 20 is provided.

In this example, side wall 15 of the frame 10 has no flange means 18 and hence, conveniently, side 15 can be placed closely adjacent a kerb or the like.

In another example, all four side walls 12 - 15 of the frame 10 may have both inwardly and outwardly extending flanges 19 and 20, and a yet further drainage aperture may thus be provided between side 15 of the frame 10 and a corresponding grating side.

The grating parts 11 may be made by casting in iron, or otherwise fabricated or cast in another material if desired and may be connected together or separate as desired.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, instead of the grating comprising a pair of grating parts 11 each of generally triangular configuration, the grating could comprise a single rectangular grating part, or more than two grating parts 11, or a plurality of grating parts of other than triangular configuration.

Where the grating comprises a single grating part, this may be hinged relative to the frame 10 for movement between open and closed conditions. This may be achieved with the frame 10 described above, by means of a pair of hinge pins, which are provided in respective openings at the sides of the frame 10 so as to permit hinging about a hinge axis indicated at H in the drawings. Alternatively, a single hinge pin which extends from frame side to frame side may be provided.

In each case, preferably the hinge connection is sufficiently loose to permit the grating to move in the frame 10 on the seatings 22-25 to a position where the grating will not rock as traffic passes over the assembly.

The frame 10 need not be rectangular as described, but could be of any other polygonal or even circular configuration, as desired, provided that a further drainage aperture is provided between the or one or more of the sides of the frame which is provided with an inwardly extending flange and the or a corresponding side of the grating received in the frame.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A grating and frame assembly comprising a frame having one or more side walls defining an opening for the grating, the grating having at least one drainage aperture therethrough whereby liquid can pass through the grating into the opening, the side wall or one or more of the side walls providing around at least part of the opening an inwardly extending flange means and there being a plurality of seatings positioned around the opening to support the grating in the opening in a position such that a further drainage aperture is provided between the grating and the frame at least around a major part of the opening where the flange means is provided.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly is generally rectangular in plan view, the opening afforded by the frame being generally rectangular, and the frame comprising four side walls which define the opening.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the grating comprises two or more grating parts.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the grating parts are coupled together.

5. An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4 where appendant to claim 2 wherein the grating comprises a pair of right-angled triangular grating parts, with the respective hypotenuse extending from one corner of the opening to an opposite corner of the opening, and the hypotenuse of the two triangular grating parts mutually facing one another.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the mutually facing hypotenuse of the two triangular grating parts each have a recess so as to provide between them a yet further drainage aperture.

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the grating or at least a grating part of the grating is hinged relative to the frame for movement about a hinge axis between closed and open positions.

8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the grating, or each grating part, is provided with a plurality of drainage apertures in the form of generally parallel slots, which extend in a direction generally parallel to one side of the grating or grating part and generally perpendicular to another side of the grating or grating part respectively.

9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two side walls of the frame each comprises an upstanding wall part and a generally inwardly extending flange of the flange means. so that the further drainage aperture is provided along at least two sides of the frame.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the upstanding wall parts are each spaced outwardly of the adjacent grating side, at least over the majority of its length, the further drainage aperture being provided between the upstanding wall part and the adjacent grating side.

11. An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 10 where appendant to claim 2 wherein four seatings are provided, one at each corner of the opening, the seatings being of a configuration such that when the grating or grating parts is/are supported in the opening, any tendency of the grating or grating parts to rock, as traffic passes over the assembly, is eliminated.

12. An assembly according to claim 11 wherein each seating comprises first and second surfaces inclined relative to one another, about a respective axis, which may lies at 45" to the respective corner of the opening, and the grating may being provided with corresponding seat engaging formations on its underside.

13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the seatings are inclined at about 1200 to one another.

14. An assembly according to claim 12 or claim 13 where appendant to claim 5 wherein each grating part has a first seat engaging formation beneath its right-angled corner which engages with the two surfaces of a seating at a respective corner of the opening, and each of the other two apexes of the triangle have a second seat engaging formation which engages with one only of the inclined surfaces of the seatings at two other corners of the opening, such that when supported in the frame, the two grating parts tend to move away from one another towards the respective opposite corners of the frame where the right angled corners of the triangular grating parts are accommodated.

15. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the seating of the frame are provided inwardly of the flange means and the seat engaging formations of the grating or grating parts are located below a respective area of the grating which, apart from the seatings, would be above the opening defined by the frame.

16. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein along the side or sides of the frame where the flange means is provided, one or more inwardly extending bridge formations are provided, and the grating or grating parts have corresponding bridge formations which extend outwardly of the respective sides of the grating towards the bridge formations of the frame so that in the regions of the flange means, the continuity of the further drainage aperture provided between the side of the grating and the side wall of the frame is interrupted.

17. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seatings of the frame, are located so as to support the grating or each grating part above the level of the flange means so as to allow drainage of water between the grating, or the grating parts, and the flange means, into the opening afforded by the frame.

18. A grating and frame assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.