GB2613944A

GB2613944A - Grating fastener for open grate flooring

Info

Publication number: GB2613944A
Application number: GB2215586.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sims Anton
Original assignee: Regaltags Global Ltd
Current assignee: Regaltags Global Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-02
Filing date: 2022-10-21
Publication date: 2023-06-21
Also published as: GB202115699D0; GB2612954A; GB202215586D0

Abstract

A grating fastener 810 is provided for connecting to open grate flooring. The grating fastener 810 comprises a support member 814 having a grate-contact portion 816 and a support engagement portion 820 for connecting a structural member to be mounted on the open grate flooring thereon. An anchor element 822 is connected to the support member 814 and extends from the grate contact portion 816. A retaining means is then provided to supply a retaining force between the support member 814 and the anchor element 822, the retaining means holding the grating fastener 810 in place on the open grate flooring when the support member 814 and anchor element 822 are positioned on opposite sides of the said open grate flooring and tightened from the support member side of the said open grate flooring. The retaining means may be: an elasticated member; ratchet; spring or flexible strap. Also claimed are a method and a post base connector.

Description

Grating Fastener for Open Grate Flooring The present invention relates to a grating fastener, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for connecting posts onto open grate flooring, such as that found on oil rigs. The invention further relates to support apparatus for open grate flooring using such a grating fastener, and to a method of boltlessly connecting a structural member to open grate flooring.

Open grate flooring is formed from a matrix of interlocking grid beams which form a walkway whilst leaving grate voids therethrough. Grate voids allow for constant drainage, which makes open grate flooring suitable for use in outdoor situations, particularly those where there are significant risks of water pooling on the walkway which might make the walkway slippery. It is common to find open grate flooring in seagoing vessels, such as ships, or on offshore oil rigs, as well as tall structures which need to remain comparatively lightweight. Outdoor walkways in large installations, such as power plants and oil refineries, also often utilise open grate flooring.

Open grate flooring provides a unique anchoring opportunity for, for instance, handrails and similar post-like structures. These can be fixedly connected to the open grate flooring by the use of grating fasteners Grating fasteners in the art comprise a bracket and a boss which are positioned on either side of the open grate flooring, and which are then interconnected using a bolt or similar 20 screw-threaded fastener. This allows for fastening of the grating fastener by the bolt pulling the bracket and boss together to produce a clamping effect.

There are difficulties associated with such grating fasteners. Installation requires operatives on both sides of the walkway; one to hold the boss and one to hold the bolt. This may not be feasible in all situations. Furthermore, the various components can be easily dropped through the grate voids of the open grate flooring, which may then not be retrievable, particularly at sea. Furthermore, the process of rotatably fastening the boss and bracket together is time-consuming, and therefore to install large-scale structural members on a site takes a large amount of time. This can be particularly problematic for temporary installations, for example, in the case of barriers to passage across or through a walkway.

Other fasteners known in the art provide an anchor stud into another mounting surface, which then allows a boss having a threaded connector to be engaged with the grating from one side only. Whilst this solves the issue of installation difficulty, it is not applicable for many settings in which open grate flooring is present in the absence of a mounting surface.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or overcome the above-referenced problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring, the grating fastener comprising: a support member having a grate-contact portion and a support engagement portion for connecting a structural member to be mounted on the open grate flooring thereon; an anchor element connected directly or indirectly to the support member and which extends from the grate contact portion; and a retaining means for providing a retaining force between the support member and the anchor element, the retaining means holding the grating fastener in place on the open grate flooring when the support member and anchor element are positioned on opposite sides of the said open grate flooring. Preferably, the retaining means is tightened from the support member side of the said open grate flooring.

The use of a nut and bolt or similar fastener is a cumbersome means of connecting a grating fastener to open grate flooring, not least because a tightening rotary tool is necessary. The present invention allows for such a fastener to be eliminated, allowing a user to install the grating fastener by themselves without the need fora second individual, eliminating the need for a tightening tool, and also reducing the risk of lost parts during the installation process.

In one optional embodiment, the retaining means may comprise an elasticated member.

An elasticated member can be readily tensioned by pulling the elastic material around the open grate flooring. This may be one of the simplest means of installing a grating fastener disclosed within the present application.

A plurality of elasticated members may be provided around a perimeter of the support 30 member. Alternatively, a plurality of elasticated members may be provided depending from the grate contact portion of the support member.

A plurality of elasticated members provides superior retention of the grating fastener onto the open grate flooring, and there are several means by which the elasticated members may be connected to the support member.

In another optional embodiment, the retaining means may comprise a ratchet.

A ratchet is a one-directional clamping tool which could be introduced into a support member as a means of easily connecting the grating fastener to open grate flooring without requiring a second installer beneath the flooring. This simplifies the installation process.

Preferably, the anchor element may comprise a rigid clamp arm movably engagable with 10 the ratchet.

A rigid clamp arm is preferred for a ratchet type of retention, as flexion will not be particularly helpful in providing the securing to the open grate flooring in this scenario.

The ratchet may comprise a screw-threaded shaft and/or a pawl.

The provision of a screw-threaded shaft, whilst not threadless, does not operate in the 15 same manner as a normal threaded nut and bolt; since it is used as a ratchet, it can be operated from a single direction. However, the screw-thread allows for additional rotational tightening, where a pawl is used.

In another optional embodiment, the retaining means may comprise a spring element positioned between the anchor element and the support member.

A spring can readily provide a counter-actable biasing force which may eliminate the need for a second person to install the grating fastener, and since the spring applies a linear force, this obviates the need for any sort of rotary tool.

Preferably, the spring element may be biased to separate the anchor element and the support member, and further comprising a tensioning lock engagable with the anchor 25 element to counteract the spring force and produce the retaining force.

A spring element provides a suitable means of supplying an automatic force, that is, one which applies in the absence of a user's input. This is helpful in allowing the present invention to be operable when only a single installer is present, without needing a dedicated mounting surface.

Said tensioning lock may be a structural-member connector for connecting to the said structural member to be mounted on the open grate flooring.

Hooking a tensioning lock up and onto an installed structural member provides the necessary force to overcome the spring force, allowing the user to lock the grating 5 fastener in situ when the structural member is installed.

In a further optional embodiment, the retaining means may comprise a flexible strap.

A flexible strap is a relatively simple means of tensioning and connecting a fastener in place using only simple equipment, and is highly suited towards temporary installations.

Optionally, the retaining means may further comprise a camlock and/or buckle engaged 10 with the flexible strap.

A camlock and/or buckle is a very simple way of providing tension to a flexible strap. Preferably, the anchor element may be provided as a hook The strut structure of open grate flooring is such that hooking of anchor elements thereon is feasible, which provides an easy means of providing a retaining force.

Optionally, the anchor element may be provided as a clamping plate.

A dedicated clamping plate is less likely to slip off a grating strut than a hook, since the load is spread over a wide area. This may be important in areas of high traffic, where vibrational effects will be larger.

Optionally, the support member may be formed as a plate having a planar grate-contact 20 portion.

The advantage of a planar plate over, for instance, an M-shaped clamp or buckle, is that the grating fastener can be used with a grate having any dimension of grate void.

The support engagement portion may comprise a post connector.

A post will be the most common structural member used in most contexts with open grate 25 flooring, and as such it is preferred that the support engagement portion be dimensioned for a post.

Preferably, the post connector may comprise a cylindrical sleeve into which a post is receivable.

A receiving socket allows for a post to be installed and secured very easily, for instance, by insertion of a horizontal holding pin.

Preferably, the retaining means may be fixedly connected to the support member.

Fixed connection of the retaining means to the support member prevents accidental loss of component parts through the open grate flooring during installation.

Optionally, there may be a secondary support engaged with the retaining means, the secondary support being receivably engagable with the support element.

The option for providing a secondary support allows for a discrete connector to be provided, which may allow a retaining means to be retroactively connected to an existing post. This increases the utility of the apparatus.

Optionally, the retaining means may be threadless. Screw-threaded nuts are prone to being lost during the engagement process, and eliminating them would be highly 15 desirable.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a support apparatus for open grate flooring, the support apparatus comprising: a grating fastener in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and a structural member engagable with the support engagement portion of the grating fastener.

A combined apparatus can be provided which allows for rapid installation of useful structures in situ on open grate flooring.

Optionally, the grating fastener and structural member may be integrally formed with one another.

It will be apparent that superior installation times can be achieved for a system in which 25 the structural member, such as a post, is formed with the grating fastener base.

Preferably, the retaining means may engage with the structural member to provide the retaining force.

In some specific embodiments, the structural member also provides a suitable anchoring point against which the retaining member can operate, which may provide other advantages during the installation process.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of boltlessly 5 and/or toollessly connecting a structural member to open grate flooring, the method comprising the steps of: a] positioning a grating fastener onto the open grate flooring; b] feeding an anchor element of the grating fastener through a grate void in the open grate flooring; c] engaging the anchor element with an opposite side of the open grate flooring to that in contact with a grate-contact portion of the grating fastener; and d] securing the 10 anchor element in position on the open grate flooring using a threadless retaining means.

In the art, retaining means are provided in the form of bolts or similar screw-threaded studs. This leads to the risk of loss of components through the grate voids of the open grate flooring. In the present invention, this issue is eliminated, and the anchor element can be safely fed through grate voids without risk of loss during the installation process.

Optionally, the retaining means may be elastically tensionable. Preferably, the retaining means may comprise a ratchet.

The retaining means may further comprise a spring element positioned between the anchor element and a support member of the grating fastener.

Optionally, the retaining means may comprise a flexible strap.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring, the grating fastener comprising: a support member having a grate contact portion and a support engagement portion for connecting a structural member to be mounted on the open grate flooring thereon; an anchor element connected to the support member and which extends from the grate contact portion; and a retaining means for providing a retaining force between the support member and the anchor element, the retaining means holding the grating fastener in place on the open grate flooring when the support member and anchor elements are positioned on opposite sides of the said open grate flooring, the retaining means being fixedly connected to the support member.

In the state of the art, one of the risks is that the bolt and/or bracket falls through the open grate flooring and is lost. The present invention provides a unitary component which can be tensioned or clamped onto open grate flooring in a manner which eliminates the risk of component loss during installation.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a post-base connector for engaging with open grate flooring, the post-base connector comprising: a support portion receivably engagable with a base or support of a post to be installed; an anchor element connected to the support portion; and a retaining means for providing a retaining force between the support portion and the anchor element, the retaining means holding the post-base connector in place on the open grate flooring when the anchor element is positioned on and opposite side of the said open grate flooring to the support portion and being tightened from the support portion side of the open grate flooring.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the grating fastener of Figure 1 on open grate flooring, the retaining means being loosened; Figure 3 shows a side view of the grating fastener of Figure 2, the retaining means 20 having been tightened to provide a retaining force; Figure 4 shows a side view of the grating fastener of Figure 3, including a structural member in the form of a post having a tensile barrier; Figure 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 7A shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in a non-retaining condition; Figure 7B shows a perspective view of the grating fastener of Figure 7A, in a retaining condition; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 10 shows a side view of a seventh embodiment of a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 11 shows a side view of an eighth embodiment of a grating fastener for 10 connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a grating fastener referenced globally at 10 and which is suitable for connecting to open grate flooring 12, as indicated in Figures 2 to 4.

The grating fastener 10 comprises a support member 14 which forms a platform or plate which sits on top of the open grate flooring 12 in use. The support member 14 thus has a grate-contact portion 16, which may be formed as a planar lower surface of the support member 14, or could alternative be a shaped bracket member designed to matingly engage with the struts 18 of the open grate flooring 12. Examples of material which could be used in the formation of the support member 14 include aluminium composite, polycarbonate, rolled steel, and polyvinylchloride, possibly recycled.

On the opposing side of the support member 14 is a support engagement portion 20, here formed as a cylindrical tube which acts as a post connector for receivably engaging a structural member in the form of a post therein, allowing the grating fastener 10 to support a post. It will be apparent that the support engagement portion 20 is intended to cover a scenario in which the post or similar structural member is integrally formed with the support member 14.

The grating fastener 10 further comprises at least one anchor element 22, with two anchor elements 22 being shown for the grating fastener 10 of Figures 1 to 4. Said 30 anchor elements 22 are provided as clamping plates or brackets having a hooked or recurved end 24 which is designed to hook onto the base of a strut 18 of the open grate flooring 12 The anchor elements 22 are preferably fixedly secured to the support member 14. This can be achieved by connection to a threadless retaining means which can be extended 5 or slackened to allow the anchor elements 22 to be displaced relative to the grate-contact portion 16 of the support member 14.

In the depicted embodiment, the anchor elements 22 are connected via a flexible or extendible member 26 which extends across a top surface 28 of the support member 14 such that a web thereof is secured in place by the support engagement portion 20.

Tensioning of flexible or extendible member 26 is achieved by the use of tensioning couplings 30, which may be provided as buckles or camlocks, for instance.

Crucially, the tensioning of the flexible or extendible member 26 is performed without needing the use of a bolt, or indeed any screw-threaded fastener element. The grating fastener 10 may not require any rotary action in order to connect to open grate flooring 12. The grating fastener 10 may not require any anchoring surface for engagement with the anchor elements 22. The grating fastener 10 may not need installers to be positioned on either side of the open grate flooring 12; it can be installed from one direction only. The installation process is described as follows, in reference to Figures 2 to 4.

Figure 2 shows the loosening of the flexible or extendible member 26, thereby displacing the anchor elements 22 relative to the support member 14. In a slack condition, this may occur naturally under gravity. The anchor elements 22 can then be fed through grate voids 32 of the open grate flooring 12, and the support member 14 is then place on or in contact with a first surface 34 of the open grate flooring 12. It will be apparent that, for this to work, the anchor elements 22 must be sized to pass through the grate voids 32, and therefore different anchor elements 22 may be required for different types of open grate flooring 12 having different dimensions of grate void 32.

Once the anchor elements 22 have been fed through, the retaining means can be taughtened, tensioned, or tightened by using the tensioning couplings 30. This pulls the anchor elements 22 back towards the grate-contact portion 16 of the support member 14, such that the end 24 of each anchor element 22 comes into contact with a second surface 36 of the open grate flooring 12 on or at one of the struts 18. Sufficient tensioning or tightening will thus lock the grating fastener 10 into place, clamping the grating fastener 10 onto the open grate flooring 12. This is shown in Figure 3.

Once clamped or locked in place, a structural member 38 can be installed on or connected to the support engagement portion 20, which in the example shown in Figure 4 is provided as a post 40 having a tension barrier 42 thereon. The support engagement portion 20 can be produced to be versatile, accepting a wide range of different types of structural member 38 thereon. This forms a complete support apparatus 100.

Examples of structural members which can be used include: supports for temporary poor weather shelters, such as tents; cable holders; equipment mounts; signage supports; tool tethers for receiving carabiner connectors; barrier and chain products; tension barriers; flexi-style barriers; modular support connectors; key-hole engagement barriers; and cross-beams, which may be modular screw-threadedly engagable to alter length.

The structural members could be formed from a wide range of possible materials, including but not limited to: aluminium; stainless steel; galvanised steel; polypropylene, 15 possibly recycled; high-density polyethylene; and polyvinylchloride or unplasticized polyvinylchloride.

It will be appreciated that whilst the retaining means of the grating fastener 10 is described as being boltless or threadless, thereby differentiating its function from grating fasteners known in the art, it will be apparent that bolts or screw-threaded fasteners may be utilised in the connection of the structural member 38 to the grating fastener 10 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Figures 1 to 4 merely show one embodiment of a conceivable arrangement which eliminates the need for a threaded coupling for a grating fastener. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of grating fastener, referenced globally at 210. Identical or similar features to the first embodiment will be referenced using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

The anchor elements 222 here depend from the grate-contact portion of the support member 214, and take the form of clamping plates or brackets having a hooked or recurved end 224 which is designed to hook onto the base of a strut 18 of the open grate flooring 12.

However, instead of providing a flexible retaining means, a rigid clamp arm 244 is provided which is movably engagable with a ratchet 246 or similar linear actuation mechanism. The ratchet 246 may have a lever 248 thereon which releases a catch to the clamp arm 244, in a similar manner to the mechanism of operation of a caulk or sealant gun.

The activation of the ratchet 246 allows for the retraction of the anchor element 222 towards the open grate flooring 12 from one side very rapidly, with the retaining force being created by the linear motion of the clamp arm 244 by the ratchet 246. The lever 248 advantageously provides a mechanism for promptly tightening the grating fastener 210, in the event of loosening, without the need for a tool.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of grating fastener, referenced globally at 310. Identical or similar features to the first and second embodiments will be referenced using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

The support member 314 is here illustrated as a circular plate or disc, having a circumference. Extending from the circumference of the support member 314 is the retaining means, which here comprises a plurality of elasticated members 350, each having an anchor element 322 at a distal end thereof in the form of a hook. A single elasticated member could be provided, but it will be appreciated that superior retention of the grating fastener 310 is achieved when a plurality of elasticated members 350 is provided.

The elasticated members 350 are dimensioned to have a length to the hook of less than a height of the struts 18 of relevant open grate flooring 12, and thus the elasticated members 350 must be pulled under tension to hook onto the underside of the open grate flooring 12. This installation method may require a second installer below the open grate flooring 12 given the need to pull the elasticated member 350 taut. However, this could be achieved by a sole installer if a dedicated tool were provided. This could be in the form of a spring hook tool or similar, for instance.

It will be appreciated that perimetric retaining means will be applicable for non-circular 30 support members. Furthermore, it is possible for the aforementioned retaining means to depend from the grate-contact surface of the support member 314, rather than the perimeter thereof, without altering the function of the invention.

It is noted that the support engagement element 320 of the support member 314 here comprises the structural member, that is, the post, though the post may have a range of different upper portions to perform different functions, as previously indicated.

Figures 7A and 7B shows a fourth embodiment of grating fastener, referenced globally 5 at 410. Identical or similar features to the first to third embodiments will be referenced using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

The anchor element 422 of this embodiment is formed as a clamping plate 452 which is connected to the support member 414 by a spring 454. The spring 454 is preferably biased to separate the support member 414 and anchor element 422 from one another, that is, into a non-clamping condition. This allows the grating fastener 410 to be inserted through the grate voids 32 of the open grate flooring 12 so that the anchor element 422 extends beyond a base of the struts 18 of the open grate flooring 12.

The retaining means in the present embodiment is provided as a tensioning lock 456 in the form of a wire or rod which extends through the support engagement portion 420 and couples to the anchor element 422. At the top end of the tensioning lock 456 is a hook 458 or similar structural-member connector which can be hooked onto or over another element to counteract the spring force and thus provide a retaining force. The tensioning lock 456 may be dimensioned so as to couple to the top of the structural member with which it engages, for instance, extending all the way through an associated post, for instance.

Figure 7A shows the non-tensioned condition. The spring force overcomes the retaining force, as the tensioning lock 456 is not pulled up. However, as the tensioning lock 456 is pulled up, as per Figure 7B, the retaining force overcomes the spring force, which allows 25 the grating fastener 410 to be locked to the open floor grating 12.

Figure 8 shows a fifth embodiment of grating fastener, referenced globally at 510. Identical or similar features to the first to fourth embodiments will be referenced using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

The support member 514 of the fourth embodiment includes an aperture 560 therethrough which allows the retaining means to pass through the support member 514.

The retaining means comprises a flexible strap 562 having first and second hooks 564, 566 at opposite ends thereof. The first hook 564 is designed to connect to the struts 18 of the open grate flooring 12, and thus forms the anchor element 522, whilst the second hook 566 couples to an aperture 568 on the support engagement portion 520. A plurality of said apertures 568 may be provided, vertically spaced apart, so that the user can apply the correct tensioning force to hold the grating fastener 510 in position.

Figure 9 shows a sixth embodiment of grating fastener, referenced globally at 510. Identical or similar features to the first to fifth embodiments will be referenced using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

The arrangement of Figure 9 is very similar to that of Figure 8. However, instead of there being an aperture through the support member 614, the flexible strap 662 instead passes through the centre of the support engagement portion 620. The first hook 664 again forms the anchor element 622. The second hook 666 is here shown as engaging with an aperture 668 which is located on the structural member 640 itself. It will be apparent that the distinction between connecting to a structural member or the support engagement portion in either of the fifth and sixth embodiments is somewhat arbitrary, and the skilled person will be able to select a most appropriate configuration to suit contextual requirements.

Figure 10 shows a seventh embodiment of grating fastener, referenced globally at 710. Identical or similar features to the first to sixth embodiments will be referenced using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

The support member 714 here has a pair of apertures therein, through each of which extends a flexible strap 762 having a distal hook 764 forming the anchor element 722. The retaining means is provided as a buckle or camlock 730 which holds the position of the flexible strap 762 and which allows the flexible strap 762 to be tensioned to provide the retaining force. Typically the buckle or camlock 730 will be positioned on a top surface 728 of the support member 714, along with a furled length of the flexible strap 762.

Whilst the buckle or camlock is here shown as being positioned on the support member itself, it will be apparent that the flexible strap could be threaded up and through the centre of a structural member, with the buckle or camlock then being positionable on the outside of the structural member itself. This raises the height of the buckle or camlock position, and may simplify the ease with which a user can tighten the support apparatus without needing to bend down or over.

Figure 11 shows an eighth embodiment of grating fastener, referenced globally at 810. 5 Identical or similar features to the first to seventh embodiments will be referenced using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

The retaining means is here provided as a ratchet 866 and pawl 868, the anchor element 822 being provided below the support member 814 and support engagement portion 820 10 below the grate-contact portion 816. A user handle 870 is provided at an upper end of the ratchet 866.

The ratchet 866 may be provided as an indexed ratchet, or could be formed by providing a screw-threaded stem, with the threads engaging with the pawl 868.

To operate the grating fastener 810, it can be placed on a grating, and the anchor element 822 passed through an aperture thereof. The ratchet 866 can then be pulled up by pulling on the user handle 870, with the pawl 868 holding the ratchet 866 secure. Tightening can occur by clockwise rotation of the user handle 870 to tighten the screw-thread without releasing the pawl 868. To release, the user handle 870 is rotated anticlockwise, and the pawl lever 872 released to unlock the ratchet 866, which can then be pushed out of position to release the anchor element 822.

Figure 12 shows an eighth embodiment of grating fastener, referenced globally at 910. Identical or similar features to the first to eighth embodiments will be referenced using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

The support engagement portion 920 here extends upwardly from the support member 914. However, the retaining means is provided as a plurality of anchor elements 922, here in the form of hooks, but any of the above-described anchor elements could be provided, which are connected to flexible straps 962.

Unlike in previous embodiments, however, the retaining means is not directly connected 30 to either the support engagement portion 920 or the support member 914. Instead, there is a secondary support 974, such as a mesh or net which is receiveable on the support member 914, here being held in place by the support engagement portion 920. As such, indirect connection of the retaining means to the support member 914 becomes feasible.

In essence, the secondary support 974 and retaining means together can form a discrete post-base connector, which can be connected to any existing post having a base.

It is therefore possible to provide a method of boltlessly and/or toollessly connecting a structural member to open grate flooring, the method comprising the steps of: a] positioning a grating fastener onto the open grate flooring; b] feeding an anchor element of the grating fastener through a grate void in the open grate flooring; c] engaging the anchor element with an opposite side of the open grate flooring to that in contact with a grate-contact portion of the grating fastener; and d] securing the anchor element in position on the open grate flooring using a retaining means.

Any or all of the above-described embodiments can be installed in this manner, eliminating the need for a wrench, hex-bolt key, or screwdriver to be used to install a grating fastener. This has the advantage of speeding installation, reducing likelihood of loss of the fastener through the open grate flooring, and reducing the number of installers required.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of 20 one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

Claims 1. A grating fastener for connecting to open grate flooring, the grating fastener comprising: a support member having a grate-contact portion and a support engagement portion for connecting a structural member to be mounted on the open grate flooring thereon; an anchor element connected directly or indirectly to the support member and which extends from the grate contact portion; and a retaining means for providing a retaining force between the support member and the anchor element, the retaining means holding the grating fastener in place on the open grate flooring when the support member and anchor element are positioned on opposite sides of the said open grate flooring and tightened from the support member side of the said open grate flooring.
2. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises an elasticated member.
3. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of elasticated members is provided around a perimeter of the support member.
4. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of elasticated members is provided depending from the grate contact portion of the support member.
5. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises 25 a ratchet.
6. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 5, wherein the anchor element comprises a rigid clamp arm movably engagable with the ratchet.
7. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the ratchet comprises a screw-threaded shaft.
8. A grating fastener as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a pawl.
9. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises a spring element positioned between the anchor element and the support member.
10. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 9, wherein the spring element is biased to separate the anchor element and the support member, and further comprising a tensioning lock engagable with the anchor element to counteract the spring force and produce the retaining force.
11. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tensioning lock is a structural-member connector for connecting to the said structural member to be mounted on the open grate flooring.
12. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises a flexible strap.
13. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 12, wherein the retaining means further comprises a camlock and/or buckle engaged with the flexible strap.
14. A grating fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 20 anchor element is provided as a hook or clamping plate.
15. A grating fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is formed as a plate having a planar grate-contact portion.
16. A grating fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support engagement portion comprises a post connector.
17. A grating fastener as claimed in claim 16, wherein the post connector comprises a cylindrical sleeve into which a post is receivable.
18. A grating fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means is fixedly connected to the support member.
19. A grating fastener as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a secondary support engaged with the retaining means, the secondary support being receivably engagable with the support element.
20. A grating fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means is a threadless retaining means.
21. A support apparatus for open grate flooring, the support apparatus comprising: a grating fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and a structural member engagable with the support engagement portion of the grating fastener.
22. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the grating fastener and structural member are integrally formed with one another.
23. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the retaining means engages with the structural member to provide the retaining force.
24. A method of toollessly connecting a structural member to open grate flooring, the method comprising the steps of: a] positioning a grating fastener onto the open grate flooring; b] feeding an anchor element of the grating fastener through a grate void in the open grate flooring; c] engaging the anchor element with an opposite side of the open grate flooring to that in contact with a grate-contact portion of the grating fastener; and d] securing the anchor element in position on the open grate flooring using a toolless retaining means tightened from the side of the said open grate flooring in contact with a grate-contact portion of the grating fastener.
25. A post-base connector for engaging with open grate flooring, the post-base connector comprising: a support portion receivably engagable with a base or support of a post to be installed; an anchor element connected to the support portion; and a retaining means for providing a retaining force between the support portion and the anchor element, the retaining means holding the post-base connector in place on the open grate flooring when the anchor element is positioned on and opposite side of the said open grate flooring to the support portion and being tightened from the support portion side of the open grate flooring.