Road plate securing assembly

Abstract

A road plate securing assembly for a roadway surface includes an assembly frame comprising a plurality of assembly frame members adapted for attachment to the roadway surface and each comprising a first surface, a second surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first surface, a uni-planar inner surface extending from the first surface to the second surface and a plate opening defined by the assembly frame members. A road plate can be fitted in the plate opening to cover a repair or construction area on the roadway. A road plate securing method is also disclosed.

1 . A road plate securing assembly for a roadway surface, comprising:
 a generally rectangular assembly frame comprising:
 a plurality of assembly frame members adapted for attachment to the roadway surface and each comprising a first surface, a second surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first surface, a uni-planar inner surface extending from the first surface to the second surface and a planar outer surface extending from the first surface to the second surface in generally parallel relationship with respect to the inner surface; 
 a plate opening defined by the assembly frame members; and 
 wherein the inner surface of each of the assembly frame members faces the plate opening. 
   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of fastener openings extending through each of said assembly frame members at spaced-apart intervals with respect to each other. 
   
   
       4 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of fastener openings comprises a plurality of recessed fastener openings. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of assembly frame members comprises four assembly frame members. 
   
   
       7 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 1  further comprising mating surfaces provided on respective ends of each of the assembly frame members and disposed at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a corresponding one of the assembly frame members. 
   
   
       8 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a road plate seated in the plate opening. 
   
   
       9 . A road plate securing assembly for a roadway surface, comprising:
 a roadway having a roadway surface;   a generally rectangular assembly frame attached to the roadway surface and comprising:   a plurality of generally straight, elongated assembly frame members each comprising a first surface resting on the roadway surface, a second surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first surface, a uni-planar inner surface extending from the first surface to the second surface, a planar outer surface extending from the first surface to the second surface in generally parallel relationship with respect to the inner surface and mating surfaces provided on respective ends of each of the assembly frame members and disposed at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a corresponding one of the assembly frame members;   a plate opening defined by the assembly frame members;   wherein the inner surface of each of the assembly frame members faces the plate opening; and   a road plate disposed in the plate opening and disposed in contact with the roadway surface.   
   
   
       10 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 9  wherein the road plate is not fastened to the roadway. 
   
   
       11 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the road plate is not fastened to the assembly frame. 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of fastener openings extending through each of the assembly frame members at spaced-apart intervals with respect to each other. 
   
   
       14 . The road plate securing assembly of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of fastener openings comprises a plurality of recessed fastener openings. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A road plate securing method, comprising:
 providing a roadway having a roadway surface;   forming a generally rectangular assembly frame having a plate opening by providing a plurality of generally straight, elongated assembly frame members and arranging the assembly frame members on the roadway surface;   attaching the assembly frame members to the roadway surface;   providing a road plate;   resting the road plate in the plate opening in contact with the roadway surface; and   wherein the plurality of assembly frame members each comprises a first surface, a second surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first surface, a uni-planar inner surface extending from the first surface to the second surface and a planar outer surface extending between the first surface and the second surface in generally parallel relationship with respect to the inner surface, and wherein arranging the assembly frame members on the roadway surface comprises resting the first surface of each of the assembly frame members on the roadway surface.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein resting the road plate on the roadway surface in the plate opening comprises resting the road plate on the roadway surface in the plate opening without fastening the road plate to the roadway surface. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein resting the road plate on the roadway surface in the plate opening comprises resting the road plate on the roadway surface in the plate opening without fastening the road plate to the assembly frame. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein attaching the assembly frame members to the roadway surface comprises providing a plurality of fastener openings in each of the assembly frame members and the roadway and extending a plurality of fasteners through the plurality of fastener openings, respectively. 
   
   
       20 . (canceled)