Grating having bearing bars with unique cross section

Abstract

A grating including a bar assembly having bearing bars with a unique cross section connected to one another with crossbars. The bearing bars are generally hourglass-shaped in cross section and include a first region, a second region, and a third region interposed therebetween. The first and second regions flare outwardly away from opposite ends of the third region. The ends of the first and second regions are of a first width and the third region is of a smaller second width. First and second side sections of the third region connect to each of the first and second regions at an angle of greater than 90 degrees. Channels for the crossbars are defined in a first end of the first region of the bearing bar or form a hole extending from a first side section to a second side section of the third region of the bearing bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grating comprising:
 a frame;   a bar assembly operatively engaged with the frame; wherein the bar assembly comprises:
 a plurality of bearing bars; 
 a plurality of crossbars, wherein the plurality of crossbars is oriented orthogonal to the plurality of bearing bars; 
   wherein each bearing bar of the plurality of bearing bars comprises:
 a rolled member having: 
 a first region and a second region located opposite one another; 
 a third region extending between the first region and the second region; 
 a first corner and a second corner provided where the first region transitions to the third region; 
 a third corner and a fourth corner provided where the second region transitions to the third region; and 
 wherein the first corner, the second corner, the third corner, and the fourth corner are greater than 90 degrees. 
   
     
     
         2 . The grating according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled member is symmetrical about a midline located equidistant between a first end of the first region and a second end of the second region. 
     
     
         3 . The grating according to  claim 1 , wherein the first region and the second region are mirror images of one another. 
     
     
         4 . The grating according to  claim 1 , wherein the first region and the second region each comprises:
 an end;   a first side section and a second side section opposite one another and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the end; and   a third side section and a fourth side section opposite one another and extending outwardly at an angle from a respective one of the first side section and the second side section.   
     
     
         5 . The grating according to  claim 4 , wherein the angle is less than ninety degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The grating according to  claim 4 , wherein the first side section and the second side section are substantially equal in length with one another, and wherein the third side section and the fourth side section are substantially equal in length with one another. 
     
     
         7 . The grating according to  claim 4 , wherein the first side section and the second side section are substantially perpendicular to the end. 
     
     
         8 . The grating according to  claim 1 , wherein the third region comprises:
 a first side section and a second side section opposite one another and extending between the first region and the second region; and   wherein the first side section and the second side section of the third region are substantially parallel and equal in length to one another.   
     
     
         9 . The grating according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 an end of the first region and an end of the second region are of a first width;   wherein the first width is measured between a first side section and a second side section of the respective first region and second region;   wherein the third region is of a second width measured between a first side section and a second side section of the third region; and   wherein the second width is smaller than the first width.   
     
     
         10 . The grating according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one channel defined in the rolled member, wherein each of the at least one channel receives a crossbar of the plurality of crossbars therein. 
     
     
         11 . The grating according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one channel is defined in a first end of the first region and extends for a distance inwardly into the first region and towards the second region. 
     
     
         12 . The grating according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one channel extends from a first side section of the first region through to a second side section of the first region. 
     
     
         13 . The grating according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a hole extending from a first side section of the third region to a second side section of the third region. 
     
     
         14 . The grating according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one channel is a hole located substantially equidistant between an end of the first region and an end of the second region. 
     
     
         15 . The grating according to  claim 11 , wherein an uppermost section of the crossbar extends outwardly beyond a first end of the first region of the bearing bar. 
     
     
         16 . A grating comprising:
 a frame;   a bar assembly operatively engaged with the frame; wherein the bar assembly comprises:
 a plurality of bearing bars; 
 a plurality of crossbars, wherein the plurality of crossbars is oriented orthogonal to the plurality of bearing bars; 
   wherein each bearing bar of the plurality of bearing bars comprises:
 a rolled member having a first end and a second end opposite one another and spaced a distance apart substantially equal to a first length; 
 a third region extending between the first end and the second end; 
 wherein the first end and the second end are substantially equal in width to one another and are of a first width; 
 wherein the third region is spaced substantially equidistant from the first end and the second end; 
 wherein the third region is of a second width, and the second width is less than the first width; 
 wherein the third region is connected to the first end via a side section which is oriented at an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the third region; and 
 wherein the third region is connected to the second end via another side section that is oriented at an angle of more than 90 degrees relative to the third region. 
   
     
     
         17 . The grating according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first side and a second side opposite and substantially equal in length to one another and extending between the first end and the third region; and   a third side and a fourth side opposite and substantially equal in length to one another and extending between the second end and the third region.   
     
     
         18 . The grating according to  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of channels defined in the rolled member, wherein each crossbar of the plurality of crossbars is received within a channel of the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         19 . The grating according to  claim 18 , wherein the channel is defined in the first end. 
     
     
         20 . The grating according to  claim 18 , wherein the channel comprises a hole extending from a first side section of the third region to a second side section of the third region.