Automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly for bridge decks and like structures

• US 6,018,833 A
• Filed: 09/14/1998
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stargrate Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stargrate Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Imm, Dennis M
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Markovich, Kristine
• Application Number:
  US09/151,241
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 14/73, 404/70, 52/664, 52/667, 52/668, 52/669
• US Class Current: 14/73
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 19/125 Grating or flooring for bridges waterproofing thereof E01D19/083; floors in general E04B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 2101/30 Metal E01D2101/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 2101/34 non-ferrous, e.g. aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 2101/40 Plastics
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/425 made of perforated bars

Abstract

An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly for bridge decks and the like which includes a plurality of primary load-bearing members located laterally, a plurality of transverse secondary load-bearing members and a plurality of trimorphic load-bearing members. Secondary load-bearing structural members are inserted sideways into apertures of primary load-bearing members and trimorphic load-bearing members. Thus, when a horizontal force is applied to alternate primary or trimorphic load-bearing members or any combination thereof, rotation of secondary load-bearing member or members occur to efficiently and automatically lock secondary load-bearing member or members into primary and trimorphic load-bearing member or members completing assemblage thereof into a rigid structural form.

Claims

1. An automated weldless, inter-locking grating assembly for bridge decks, comprising:

a multiplicity of laterally extending primary load-bearing structural components, said primary load-bearing structural components having a web section extending vertically and located within said web section spaced triangular apertures, above said spaced triangular apertures an upper section of primary load-bearing structural components, said spaced triangular apertures function in cooperation with directly opposing spaced triangular apertures located within adjacent primary load-bearing structural components;

a multiplicity of secondary load-bearing structural components transversely located in relation to said primary load-bearing structural components, having a notched upper edge and a notched lower edge whereby said secondary load-bearing structural components may be positioned through said spaced triangular apertures of said web section by sliding said secondary load-bearing structural components side wise through said spaced triangular apertures enabling engagement of said secondary load-bearing structural components into said primary load-bearing structural components to create an interlocked static position of said grating assembly;

wherein said notches are spaced to engage said web section when said secondary load-bearing structural components are rotated from said side wise position to a vertical position by horizontal motion of said primary load-bearing structural components, locking said primary load-bearing structural components into said secondary load-bearing structural components into an inter-locked static position, wherein said notches intersect with said web section of said primary load-bearing structural components;

a multiplicity of trimorphic load-bearing structural components alternately positioned between said primary load-bearing structural components for said locking into said secondary load-bearing structural components when said secondary load-bearing structural components are rotated from said side wise position to said vertical position;

a rod slidably inserted through rod openings of said web of said primary load-bearing structural components and said trimorphic load-bearing structural components causing said grating assembly to achieve maximum rigidity and preventing lateral movement of said multiplicity of primary load-bearing structural components and said trimorphic load-bearing structural components of said grating assembly.

2. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 1, wherein said multiplicity of primary load-bearing structural components further have a flanged bottom section extending along a lower edge of said primary load-bearing structural components.

3. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 1, wherein said trimorphic load-bearing structural components are generally constructed to be of rectangular cross-section for purposes of providing additional support and simultaneously eliminating weight which is inherent in said primary load-bearing structural components which are generally constructed with a flanged bottom section and a rib located above said flanged bottom section, said rib parallel to said flanged bottom section and said rib extending laterally along said web.

4. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 1, wherein said spaced triangular apertures are constructed to be of triangular form for reception of said secondary load-bearing structural components.

5. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 1, wherein said spaced triangular apertures are constructed to form a right scalene triangle having a horizontal leg, a vertical leg 90 degrees to said horizontal leg, a hypotenuse connecting said horizontal leg to said vertical leg and a shortened extent parallel to and opposing said horizontal leg, such that said spaced triangular apertures of said adjacent primary load-bearing structural components and said adjacent trimorphic load-bearing structural components oppose each other in incongruent but cooperative fashion enabling said secondary load-bearing structural components in said locked vertical position at said shortened extents whereby said shortened extents of said adjacent primary load-bearing structural components and said adjacent trimorphic load-bearing structural components to be in spaced apart aligned opposing relationship.

6. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 1, wherein said primary load-bearing structural components are substantially of rectangular cross section.

7. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 1, wherein said primary load-bearing structural components are constructed with said rib parallel to said flanged bottom section and said rib being located below said spaced triangular apertures and below said secondary load-bearing structural components, said rib for providing support to a pan, said pan to rest on said rib at an edge of said pan, said pan to rest between adjacent primary load-bearing structural components, said pan extends along said rib and parallel to said bottom edge of said secondary load-bearing structural components, said pan for holding concrete within said grating assembly.

8. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 2, wherein said trimorphic load-bearing structural components are generally constructed to be of rectangular cross-section for purposes of providing additional support and simultaneously eliminating weight which is inherent to said primary load-bearing structural components which are generally constructed of said flanged bottom section and a rib located above said flanged bottom section, said rib parallel to said flanged bottom section and said rib extending laterally along said web.

9. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 8, wherein said spaced triangular apertures are constructed to be of triangular form for reception of said secondary load-bearing structural components.

10. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 9, wherein said inter-locked static position is achieved by said horizontal motion of said primary load-bearing structural components in opposite direction to horizontal motion of said trimorphic load-bearing structural components causing rotation of said secondary load-bearing structural components into said vertical position.

11. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 10, wherein said spaced triangular apertures are constructed to form a right scalene triangle having a horizontal leg, a vertical leg 90 degrees to said horizontal leg, a hypotenuse connecting said horizontal leg to said vertical leg and a shortened extent parallel and opposing said horizontal leg, such that said spaced triangular apertures of said adjacent primary load-bearing structural components and said adjacent trimorphic load-bearing structural components oppose each other in cooperative fashion enabling said secondary load-bearing structural components to achieve said locked vertical position at said shortened extents whereby said shortened extents of said adjacent primary load-bearing structural components and said adjacent trimorphic load-bearing structural components to be in spaced apart aligned opposing relationship.

12. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 11, wherein said primary load-bearing structural components are substantially of rectangular cross-section.

13. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 12, wherein said primary load-bearing structural components are constructed with said rib parallel to said flanged bottom section and said rib being located below said spaced apertures and below said secondary load-bearing structural components, said rib for providing support to a pan, said pan to rest on said rib at an edge of said pan, said pan to rest between adjacent primary load-bearing structural components, said pan extends along said rib parallel to said bottom edge of said secondary load-bearing structural components, said pan for holding concrete within said grating assembly.

14. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 13, further comprising a spring means which functions cooperatively at a lower edge of secondary load-bearing structural components to exert a vertical force at said lower edge of secondary load-bearing structural components and securing said pan in a firm position allowing said grating to be shipped to any jobsite without removal of said pan and preventing any warpage to said pan.

15. An automated weldless, inter-locking grating assembly for bridge decks comprising:

a multiplicity of laterally extending primary load-bearing structural components, said primary load-bearing structural components having a web section extending vertically and located within said web section spaced triangular apertures, above said spaced triangular apertures an upper section of primary load-bearing structural components, said spaced triangular apertures function in cooperation with directly opposing spaced triangular apertures located within adjacent primary load-bearing structural components;

a multiplicity of secondary load-bearing structural components transversely located in relation to said primary load-bearing structural components, having a notched upper edge and a notched lower edge whereby said secondary load-bearing structural components may be positioned through said spaced triangular apertures of said web section by sliding said secondary load-bearing structural components side wise through said spaced triangular apertures enabling engagement of said secondary load-bearing structural components into said primary load-bearing structural components to create an interlocked static position of said grating assembly;

wherein said notches are spaced to engage said web section when said secondary load-bearing structural components are rotated from said side wise position to a vertical position by horizontal motion applied alternately to said primary load-bearing structural components, locking said primary load-bearing structural components into said secondary load-bearing structural components into an inter-locked static position, wherein said notches intersect with said web section of said primary load-bearing structural components;

a rod slidably inserted through rod openings of said web of said primary load-bearing structural components causing said grating assembly to achieve maximum rigidity and preventing lateral movement of said multiplicity of primary load-bearing structural components of said grating assembly.

16. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 15, wherein said multiplicity of primary load-bearing structural components further have a flanged bottom section extending along a lower edge of said primary load-bearing structural components.

17. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 16, wherein said spaced triangular apertures are constructed to be of triangular form for reception of said secondary load-bearing structural components.

18. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 17, wherein said primary load-bearing structural components are substantially of rectangular cross section.

19. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 18, wherein said primary load-bearing structural components are constructed with a rib parallel to a flanged bottom section and said rib being located below said spaced triangular apertures and below said secondary load-bearing structural components, said rib for providing support to a pan, said pan to rest on said rib at an edge of said pan, said pan to rest between adjacent primary load-bearing structural components, said pan extends along said rib and parallel to said bottom edge of said secondary load-bearing structural components, said pan for holding concrete within said grating assembly.

20. An automated weldless, inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 19, wherein said pan is corrugated having a plurality of ribs.

21. An automated weldless, inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 19, wherein said pan is secured between two of said primary load-bearing structural components by use of a plurality of spring clips.

22. An automated weldless, inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 21, wherein said spring clips are leaf springs having an arched shape consisting of two feet resting on an upper surface of said pan and at an apex of said arched shape, said spring clip through a notched section touches and secures to said secondary load-bearing structural component.

23. An automated weldless, inter-locking grating assembly for bridge decks comprising:

a multiplicity of laterally extending trimorphic load-bearing structural components, said trimorphic load-bearing structural components having a web section extending vertically and located within said web section spaced triangular apertures, above said spaced triangular apertures an upper section of trimorphic load-bearing structural components, said spaced triangular apertures function in cooperation with directly opposing spaced triangular apertures located within adjacent trimorphic load-bearing structural components;

a multiplicity of secondary load-bearing structural components transversely located in relation to said trimorphic load-bearing structural components, having a notched upper edge and a notched lower edge whereby said secondary load-bearing structural components may be positioned through said spaced triangular apertures of said web section by sliding said secondary load-bearing structural components side wise through said spaced triangular apertures enabling engagement of said secondary load-bearing structural components into said trimorphic load-bearing structural components to create an interlocked static position of said grating assembly;

wherein said notches are spaced to engage said web section when said secondary load-bearing structural components are rotated from said sidewise position to a vertical position by horizontal motion applied alternately to said trimorphic load-bearing structural components, locking said trimorphic load-bearing structural components into said secondary load-bearing structural components into an inter-locked static position, wherein said notches intersect with said web section of said trimorphic load-bearing structural components;

a rod slidably inserted through rod openings of said web of said trimorphic load-bearing structural components causing said grating assembly to achieve maximum rigidity and preventing lateral movement of said multiplicity of trimorphic load-bearing structural components of said grating assembly.

24. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 23, wherein said multiplicity of trimorphic load-bearing structural components further have a flanged bottom section extending along a lower edge of said trimorphic load-bearing structural components.

25. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 24, wherein said trimorphic load-bearing structural components are generally constructed to be of rectangular cross-section for purposes of providing additional support and simultaneously eliminating weight which is inherent in primary load-bearing structural components which are generally constructed with a flanged bottom section and a rib located above said flanged bottom section, said rib parallel to said flanged bottom section and said rib extending laterally along said web.

26. An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly according to claim 25, wherein said spaced triangular apertures are constructed to be of triangular form for reception of said secondary load-bearing structural components.

27. An automated weldless, inter-locking grating assembly for bridge decks comprising:

a multiplicity of laterally extending primary load-bearing structural components, said primary load-bearing structural components having a web section extending vertically and located within said web section spaced triangular apertures, above said spaced triangular apertures an upper section of primary load-bearing structural components, said spaced triangular apertures function in cooperation with opposing spaced triangular apertures located within adjacent primary load-bearing structural components;

a multiplicity of secondary load-bearing structural components transversely located in relation to said primary load-bearing structural components, having a notched upper edge and a notched lower edge whereby said secondary load-bearing structural components may be positioned through said spaced triangular apertures of said web section by sliding said secondary load-bearing structural components side wise through said spaced triangular apertures enabling engagement of said secondary load-bearing structural components into said primary load-bearing structural components to create an interlocked static position of said grating assembly;

wherein said notches are spaced to engage said web section when said secondary load-bearing structural components are rotated from said side wise position to a vertical position by horizontal motion of said primary load-bearing structural components, locking said primary load-bearing structural components into said secondary load-bearing structural components into an inter-locked static position, wherein said notches intersect with said web section of said primary load-bearing structural components, wherein said interlocked static position is achieved by said horizontal motion of said primary load-bearing structural components in opposite direction to horizontal motion of said trimorphic load-bearing structural components causing rotation of said secondary load-bearing structural components into said vertical position.