Method and apparatus for modifying grate assemblies

Abstract

A grate support assembly for engagement with a grate having a plurality of bearing bars and a plurality of cross bars. The grate assembly has at least one support rail adapted to be engaged with the grate. The grate assembly also has at least one support bearing bar operably engaged with the at least one support rails and at least on support cross bar operatively engaged with the at least one support bearing bar. The at least one support bearing bar has a first and second support bearing bar located a distance laterally apart from one another. The at least one support cross bar has a first and a second support cross bar located a distance longitudinally apart from one another. The at least one support rail is oriented at a right angle to the at least one support bearing bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grate support assembly, for engagement with a grate having a plurality of bearing bars and a plurality of cross bars, said grate support assembly comprising:
 at least one support rail adapted to be engaged with the grate;   at least one support bearing bar operably engaged with the at least one support rail; and   at least one support cross bar operatively engaged with the at least one support bearing bar.   
     
     
         2 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support bearing bar comprises a first and a second support bearing bar which are located a distance laterally apart from one another. 
     
     
         3 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support cross bar comprises a first and a second support cross bar which are located a distance longitudinally apart from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support rail is oriented at a right angle to the at least one support bearing bar. 
     
     
         5 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support bearing bar includes:
 a central member;   a first attachment end provided at a first end of the central member;   a second attachment end provided at a second end of the central member; and   wherein each of the first and second attachment ends are configured to operably engage the support rails.   
     
     
         6 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one support bearing bar further comprises a securement region, wherein the at least one support cross bar is configured to engage the securement region. 
     
     
         7 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the securement region of the at least one support bearing bar defines at least one hole therein, and wherein the at least one support cross bar includes at least one projection which is complementary to the at least one hole and is receivable within the at least one hole. 
     
     
         8 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 at least one bracket and at least one fastener; and   wherein the at least one bracket and the at least one fastener secure the at least one support bearing bar and the at least one support cross bar to one another.   
     
     
         9 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the support cross bar comprises:
 a first leg and a second leg integral with one another;   a first projection extending outwardly from an end of the first leg;   a second projection extending outwardly from an end of the second leg; and   wherein the first projection and the second projection are receivable within a first hole and a second hole defined in the securement region.   
     
     
         10 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second attachment ends includes a bottom end;
 wherein the bottom end defines a recess; and   wherein at least a portion of the at least one support rail and is received within the recess.   
     
     
         11 . The grate support assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the first projection and the second projection are oriented so that the second leg of the at least one support cross bar is substantially parallel to an upper surface of at least one of the plurality of bearing bars of the grate. 
     
     
         12 . A grate assembly, comprising:
 a grate comprising:   a plurality of bearing bars and a plurality of cross bars operably engaged with one another;   an aperture extending through a portion of the plurality of bearing bars and the plurality of cross bars of the grate, said aperture being adapted to receive an object therethrough; and   a grate support assembly operably engaged with the grate, said grate support assembly surrounding the aperture.   
     
     
         13 . The grate assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the grate support assembly is located vertically beneath the grate. 
     
     
         14 . The grate assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the grate support assembly comprises:
 at least one support bearing bar operably engaged with a grate frame of the grate; and   at least one support cross bar operatively engaged with the at least one support bearing bar.   
     
     
         15 . The grate assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the grate support assembly further comprises:
 at least one support rail operably engaged with the grate frame; and   wherein the at least one support bearing bar is operably engaged with the at least one support rail.   
     
     
         16 . The grate assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one support bearing bar comprises a first and a second support bearing bar, wherein the first support bearing bar and the second support bearing bar are located on opposite sides of the aperture in the grate to one another. 
     
     
         17 . The grate assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one support cross bar comprises a first and a second support cross bar, wherein the first support cross bar and the second support cross bar are located on opposite sides of the aperture in the grate to one another. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 providing a grate;   providing a grate support assembly;   installing a first and a second support rail of the grate support assembly onto the grate;   cutting an aperture through the grate;   engaging a first support bearing bar of the grate support assembly with each of the first and second support rails;   engaging a second support bearing bar of the grate support assembly with each of the first and second support rails;   engaging a first support cross bar of the grate support assembly with each of the first and second support bearing bars;   engaging a second support cross bar of the grate support assembly with each of the first and second support bearing bars; and   supporting the grate with the grate support assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 surrounding the aperture with the first and second support bearing bars and the first and second support cross bars; and   extending an object through the aperture of the grate.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 supporting a load on the grate; and   transferring at least a portion of the load from the grate to the grate support assembly.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 installing a toekick on a perimeter of the aperture of the grate assembly.