Grate system having multiple bearing bars

Abstract

A larger clear span grating system incorporating pairs of bearing bars spaced apart from other pairs of bearing bars by intervening swaged bars. The pairs of bearing bars are spaced apart but immediately adjacent each other relative to the swaged bars. The pair of bearing bars have a height that is greater than the intervening swaged bars. This configuration allows the present grating system to extend across large gaps in a support structure than what was previously taught by other grating systems or assemblies.

1 . A grating assembly comprising:
 a frame defined by a pair of end plates and a pair of side plates;   a first pair of bearing bars extending transversely across the frame;   a second pair of bearing bars extending transversely across the frame, wherein the second pair of bearing bars is spaced from the first pair of bearing bars;   a plurality of swaged bars disposed between the first pair of bearing bars and the second pair of bearing bars;   wherein the first pair of bearing bars has a height dimension that is greater than a height dimension of the plurality of swaged bars.   
     
     
         2 . The grating assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first bearing bar from the first pair of bearing bars;   a second bearing bar from the second pair of bearing bars;   wherein the first bearing bar is spaced apart immediately adjacent the second bearing bar.   
     
     
         3 . The grating assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first side surface and a second side surface on the first bearing bar from the first pair of bearing bars;   a first side surface and a second side surface on the second bearing bar from the first pair of bearing bars; and   wherein the first side surface of the first bearing bar faces the second side surface of the second bearing bar, and there are no swaged bars between the first side surface of the first bearing bar and the second side surface of the second bearing bar.   
     
     
         4 . The grating assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of swaged bars disposed between the first pair of bearing bars and the second pair of bearing bars includes:
 five swaged bars disposed between the first pair of bearing bars and the second pair of bearing bars.   
     
     
         5 . The grating assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a slot defined in each of the first bearing bar and the second bear bar;   a cross member extending through the slot in each of the first bearing bar and the second bear bar;   a weld that joins the second side surface of the first bearing bar to the cross member;   a weld that joins the first side surface of the second bearing bar to the cross member; and   wherein there is no weld in a space defined between the first and second bearing bars.   
     
     
         6 . The grating assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a space defined between the first side surface of the first bearing bar and the second side surface of the second bearing bar;   wherein the space between the first and second bearing bars extends laterally relative to the frame between the end plates.   
     
     
         7 . The grating assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a width of the space between the first and second bearing bars is in range from about ¼ inch to about ½ inch.   
     
     
         8 . The grating assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the height dimension of the first pair of bearing bars is in a range from three inches to nine inches; and   the height dimension of the swaged bars is in a range from ¾ inch to 1.5 inches.   
     
     
         9 . The grating assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the height dimension of the first pair of bearing bars is nine inches and height dimension of the swaged bars is one inch. 
     
     
         10 . The grating assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clear span dimension of the frame greater than 96 inches.   
     
     
         11 . The grating assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the clear span dimension of the frame is at least 120 inches. 
     
     
         12 . A method of assembly for a grating assembly comprising:
 constructing a frame adapted to carry a grate and be installed in a support structure;   extending a first plurality of bearing bars transversely across the frame, wherein the first plurality of bearing bars includes a first bearing bar and a second bearing bar immediately adjacent each other;   spacing the first bearing bar apart from and immediately adjacent the second bearing bar, wherein a first side surface of the first bearing bar faces a second side surface of the second bearing bar;   extending a second plurality of bearing bars transversely across the frame, wherein the second plurality of bearing bars is spaced from the first plurality of bearing bars; and   extending a plurality of swaged bars between the first plurality of bearing bars and the second plurality of bearing bars.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 extending the frame over a clear span dimension greater than 96 inches.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 ensuring that there are no swaged bars between a first side surface of the first bearing bar and a second side surface of the second bearing bar.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 disposing five swaged bars between the first plurality of bearing bars and the second plurality of bearing bars.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 sliding a cross member through a slot in the first bearing bar; and   welding the cross member to the first bearing bar on only one side of the first bearing bar.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 sliding the cross member through a slot in the second bearing bar; and   welding the cross member to the second bearing bar on only one side of the second bearing bar.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 ensuring there is no weld in a space defined between the first and second bearing bars.   
     
     
         19 . A grating assembly comprising:
 a frame defined by a pair of end plates and a pair of side plates;   a first plurality of bearing bars extending transversely across the frame, wherein the first plurality of bearing bars includes a first bearing bar and a second bearing bar, wherein the first bearing bar is spaced apart immediately adjacent the second bearing bar; and a first side surface and a second side surface on the first bearing bar, and a first side surface and a second side surface on the second bearing bar, wherein the first side surface of the first bearing bar faces the second side surface of the second bearing bar;   a second plurality of bearing bars extending transversely across the frame, wherein the second plurality of bearing bars is spaced from the first plurality of bearing bars;   a plurality of swaged bars disposed between the first plurality of bearing bars and the second plurality of bearing bars, and wherein there are no swaged bars between the first side surface of the first bearing bar and the second side surface of the second bearing bar;   wherein the first plurality of bearing bars has a height dimension that is greater than a height dimension of the plurality of swaged bars.   
     
     
         20 . The grating assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a clear span dimension of the frame greater than 96 inches.