Grating frame assembly and method of installation

Abstract

A grate frame assembly including an embed grate frame and an anchor which is installed on the embed grate frame onsite without tools or welding. The embed grate frame includes a main body, a protrusion, and a leg. The anchor has a body with a support end and an attachment end. The attachment end is selectively engaged with the protrusion. The leg of the embed grate frame is configured to engage a concrete form. The support end of the installed anchor contacts a wall located a distance from the concrete form. Together, the anchor and the leg on the embed grate frame hold the main body in place so that a compound material can be poured into a free space defined between the wall and the concrete form. The compound material secures the embed grate frame into a surface such as a sidewalk or road.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An embed grate frame for a grate frame assembly, said embed grate frame comprising:
 a main body configured to engage a bearing bar of the grate frame assembly;   a protrusion provided on the main body, said protrusion being configured to be selectively engaged with at least one anchor; and   a leg provided on the main body; wherein the leg is spaced from the protrusion and is configured to be selectively engaged with at least one concrete form.   
     
     
         2 . The embed grate frame of  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises:
 a first arm;   a second arm;   wherein the first arm and the second arm intersect one another; and   wherein the protrusion extends outwardly from at least one of the first arm and the second arm.   
     
     
         3 . The embed grate frame of  claim 2 , wherein the protrusion has a length measured from the intersection of the first arm and the second arm to a terminal end of the protrusion, and wherein the length of the protrusion is less than a width of either of the first arm or the second arm, wherein the width of each of the first arm and the second arm is measured from the intersection to a terminal end of the associated first arm or second arm. 
     
     
         4 . The embed grate frame of  claim 3 , wherein the protrusion of the embed grate frame is substantially T-shaped and has a stem with a first flange and a second flange extending outwardly from the stem. 
     
     
         5 . The embed grate frame of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion further comprises:
 a stem extending from the main body and having a first side and a second side;   a first flange extending from the stem;   a second flange extending from the stem;   wherein the first flange comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite one another; and wherein the first surface of the first flange is continuous with the first side of the stem.   
     
     
         6 . The embed grate frame of  claim 5 , wherein the second flange further comprises:
 a first edge and a second edge opposite one another;   a first end extending from the first edge to the second edge; and   wherein the first edge of the second flange is continuous with the second side of the stem.   
     
     
         7 . The embed grate frame of  claim 1 , wherein the leg comprises:
 a first region extending outwardly from the main body; and   a second region extending outwardly from the first region;   wherein the first region is of a first configuration and the second region is of a second configuration which is different from the first configuration; and   wherein the second region is adapted to engage the concrete form.   
     
     
         8 . The embed grate frame of  claim 7 , wherein the first region and the second region intersect one another at a corner and the corner is adapted to receive a top end of the concrete form therein. 
     
     
         9 . The embed grate frame of  claim 8 , wherein the corner is of angle of at least 90 degrees measured between a first surface of the first region and a first side of the second region. 
     
     
         10 . The embed grate frame of  claim 8 , wherein the second region is substantially aligned with a point on the first arm of the main body, and the point is located furthest from the intersection of the first arm and the second arm. 
     
     
         11 . The embed grate frame of  claim 7 , wherein the first region is curved and the second region is straight. 
     
     
         12 . The embed grate frame of  claim 7 , wherein the first region is convex with respect to the protrusion and the second region is parallel to the second arm of the main body. 
     
     
         13 . The embed grate frame of  claim 12 , wherein a radius of curvature of the convex first region is at least 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The embed grate frame of  claim 7 , wherein the leg extends outwardly for a first distance from the main body and the protrusion extends outwardly from the main body for a second distance, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising steps of:
 installing a wall;   installing a concrete form a distance from the wall;   extending a leg of an embed grate frame outwardly from a main body of the embed grate frame;   placing the leg on the concrete form;   attaching at least one anchor with the embed grate frame;   abutting the at least one anchor against the wall;   filling a free space defined between the wall and the concrete form with a compound material;   securing a portion of the embed grate frame and the at least one anchor in place with the compound material.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein attaching the at least one anchor with the embed grate frame includes engaging the at least one anchor with a protrusion extending outwardly from the embed grate frame at a jobsite. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein attaching the at least one anchor with the embed grate frame includes engaging the at least one anchor with the protrusion and thereby the main body of the embed grate frame without welding or tools. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one anchor is removably engaged with the protrusion of the embed grate frame. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one anchor snap-fittingly engages the protrusion of the embed grate frame. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the embed grate frame is installed without the main body of the embed grate frame touching the concrete form.