Automotive bay pit cover with panels having tapered ends for vertical stacking

• US 6,088,963 A
• Filed: 08/26/1997
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kenmar, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kenmar, LLC
• Inventors: Cawthon, Mark C., Miller, Ken A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Strimbu, Gregory J.
• Application Number:
  US08/920,092
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 49/33, 49/125, 49/127, 49/128, 137/234.6, 52/780
• US Class Current: 49/33
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 5/06 Pits or building structures for inspection or services
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/10 movable out of one plane into a second parallel plane
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 2015/1028 with only the wing moving transversely
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/60 for other use

Abstract

A retractable cover for an opening of an automotive bay pit wherein the retractable cover is formed by movable and stackable panels. The panels are normally positioned adjacent one another. Each panel includes supporting and spanning edges. Positioned on the supporting edges are slide rails. The slide rails are slidable in two horizontal directions in tracks of the automotive bay pit. The ends of the slide rails are inclined, and abutting ends of the slide rails of adjacent panels are parallel to one another. Because the abutting ends are parallel, an operator'"'"'s application of a strictly horizontal force to a panel causes the panel to wedge under or slide over an adjacent panel. Therefore, the operator is not required to apply any vertical lifting force to a panel to create an opening in the cover. The operator may move any panel in the cover and move it in either horizontal direction to create the opening in the cover.

Claims

1. A cover for an opening of an automotive bay pit having a pair of longitudinal tracks, said cover comprising at least a first panel and a second panel, each of said panels comprising:

(a) a right supporting edge having a right slide rail affixed thereto, said right slide rail having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first tapered end that tapers to a point proximate one of said upper surface and said lower surface, a second tapered end that tapers to a point proximate the other of said upper surface and said lower surface, a strip of angle iron, and a slot, wherein said strip of angle iron is received in said slot;

(b) a left supporting edge having a left slide rail affixed thereto, said left slide rail having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first tapered end that tapers to a point proximate one of said upper surface and said lower surface, a second tapered end that tapers to a point proximate the other of said upper surface and said lower surface, a strip of angle iron, and a slot, wherein said strip of angle iron is received in said slot;

(c) at least two cross members spanning from said right supporting edge to said left supporting edge;

(d) a panel cover supported by said cross members; and

(e) each of said slide rails being adapted for slidable engagement with the tracks;

wherein said tapered ends of said slide rails of said first panel complement said tapered ends of said slide rails of said second panel, wherein said first tapered ends of said slide rails of said first panel, upon application of a first horizontal force to said first panel, in the direction of said second panel, slidably engage and wedge under said second tapered ends of said slide rails of said second panel and wherein said second tapered ends of said slide rails of said second panel, upon application of a second horizontal force to said second panel in the direction of said first panel, slidably engage and surmount said first tapered ends of said slide rails of said first panel.