Illuminated metal grate

• US 5,725,297 A
• Filed: 12/11/1995
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mckinley Tree Grate Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mckinley Tree Grate Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Crowder, Judith M., McKinley, DeAnn
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US08/570,679
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/122, 362/123, 362/267, 362/290, 362/311, 362/354, 362/396, 362/805, 362/227
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/02 for fountains
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/20 Electroluminescent [EL] light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/009 of the light source in the package G02B6/0021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0091 of the light source relative to the light guide G02B6/0021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/805 Horticultural

Abstract

A grate having at least one open slot area includes a translucent insert arranged in the open area and an electroluminescent lighting strip directing light through the translucent insert, thereby decoratively lighting the open area. The translucent insert, electroluminescent lighting strip, and various electrical connections are contained in a housing resiliently mounted beneath the grate.

Claims

1. A lighted grate, comprising:

(a) a horizontal grate body (2) having bottom and top surfaces, said body containing at least one through opening (14) communicating with said top surface; and

(b) means for directing light energy upwardly through said grate body opening, including;

(1) a horizontal housing (20) arranged below said grate body, an upper portion of said housing containing a recess (22);

(2) a light source (36) arranged in a bottom portion of said recess;

(3) a vertical translucent member (16) having a lower portion mounted in said recess adjacent said light source for directing light energy upon said translucent member, and an upper portion that extends upwardly from said housing; and

(4) mounting means (38) for connecting said housing with said grate body at a position causing said translucent member to extend upwardly within said grate body opening.

2. A lighted grate as defined in claim 1, and further including electrical connector and wiring means arranged in said housing recess for energizing said light source.

3. A lighted grate as defined in claim 2, wherein said housing contains access means affording access to said recess.

4. A lighted grate as defined in claim 3, wherein said access means includes a removable plug member.

5. A lighted grate as defined in claim 1, wherein said translucent member has a generally parallelepiped configuration.

6. A lighted grate as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed by injection molding from a synthetic plastic material.

7. A lighted gate as defined in claim 1, and further including sealing means forming a watertight seal between said translucent member and said housing.

8. A lighted grate as defined in claim 1, wherein said grate body contains a plurality of openings, and a plurality of vertical translucent members associated with said grate body openings, respectively, said translucent members being formed of glass.

9. A lighted grate as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a plurality of resilient clips (38) connected with said grate body, and fastener means (42) connecting said housing with said clips.

10. A lighted grate as defined in claim 1, wherein said light source comprises an electroluminescent lighting strip.