Grating fastening methods and systems

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for fastening a grating to a lower member such as a plate, floor, beam, or substructure below the grating. Such methods and systems can include securing a primary bolt with an interior threaded portion to the lower member and then securing a secondary bolt in the threaded portion of the primary bolt. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This present invention is directed to fastening gratings to members below a grating and to systems for such fastening.

2. Description of Related Art

The prior art discloses a wide variety of grating fasteners and methods for fastening gratings to a floor or beam; including, but not limited to, the disclosures in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,707,533; 2,403,842; 2,467,877; 2,572,432; 3,367,078; 3,456,412; 3,466,829; and 4,180,343, all incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,422, incorporated fully herein for all purposes, discloses a grating fastener having a base member, a saddle clamp and a swivel clamp rotatably mounted on the base member and spring biased perpendicular to the base member for ease of installation. The fastener is installed by rotating the swivel clamp parallel to the base member and inserting the assembly between two adjacent bearing bars and allowing the swivel clamp to spring to its engaged position automatically engaging the bottoms of two adjacent bearing bars. The saddle clamp engages the tops of the same two bearing bars engaged by the swivel clamp. In one aspect, there is disclosed a fastening device for fastening a parallel bar grating to a support member having: a base member having a width less than the spacing between adjacent grating bars, an aperture disposed centrally in the base member and an engagement portion disposed on a first end of the base member; an upper clamp adapted to engage the top of a bearing bar; a threaded fastening means passing through the upper clamp and engaging the base member; and a swivel clamp having a length greater than the spacing of adjacent bars and adapted to engage the bottoms of two adjacent bars and being rotatably mounted on the base member on an end opposite to the engagement portion, including: spring means biasing the swivel clamp against a first rotation stop in the engaged position and the swivel clamp being rotatable against the spring bias to a second position parallel to the base member such that the base member and the swivel clamp may be passed through adjacent bearing bars.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,654, incorporated fully herein for all purposes, discloses a clamping device for holding-down a grid-like support member on an underlying flanged support beam, the device being taken in use from the side of the member which is remote from the beam and partly through a space defined between two generally parallel elongate elements of the member, and being manipulatable so as to bring the device into gripping engagement with a flange of the support beam. The device has a saddle portion which is shaped so as to be capable of being non-rotatably seated on said elements at the one side of the member, a clamping portion which is engageable with one side of the flange of the support beam which is remote from the grid-like member, and a threaded fastener which interconnects the saddle portion and the clamping portion and which is operable relatively to draw the portions towards each other in order to clamp the grid-like member to the support beam when the saddle portion is seated on the elements and when the clamping portion is in engagement with the flange of the support beam. The clamping portion has a first part which is engageable with the one side of the flange of the support beam and a second part which is generally diametrically opposed to the first part with respect to the axis of the fastener and which has at least two steps each shaped so as to be capable of seating-engagement with one of the elements on a side thereof remote from the one side of the grip-like member. Upon initial installation of the clamping device, the second part of the clamping portion is rotatable by the fastener, as the latter is tightened, until the second part comes into engagement with the one element and one of the steps comes into seating engagement therewith, whereby further tightening of the fastener causes clamping together of the grid-like member and the support beam.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,029, incorporated fully herein for all purposes, discloses hold-down clamp for fastening a non-metallic grate, e.g. formed of fiberglass, to a structural member. The clamp includes a restraining clip which prevents spreading of adjacent beams of the grate, and a hold-down clamp which bears on the inner portion of the base of each beam. A threaded fastener urges the hold-down clamp toward the structural member, thereby forcing the bases of the beams into engagement with the structural member to clamp the grate to the structural member. In one aspect the clamp for clamping a grate to a structural member is used with a grate having parallel beams with a I-beam cross section, the clamp including: a restraining clip extending between a pair of adjacent beams and about the outer portion of the base of each beam; a hold-down clamp extending between the pair of adjacent beams proximate the restraining clip and contacting the inner portion of the base of each beam; fastening means for fastening the grate to the structural member by urging the hold-down clamp toward the structural member, and thereby urging the bases of the pair of beams against the structural member, the restraining clip preventing separation of the pair of beams.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,105, incorporated fully herein for all purposes, discloses a tensioned grating fastener that includes a deep draft saddle clip of U-shaped configuration that is engagable with a pair of load-support bars of a criss-cross configured grating, an elongated foot that is provided with a vertical upstanding headed stud which projects through a hole of the saddle clip and a coil spring that is concentrically mounted under slight compression about the stud between the head of the stud and the base of the saddle clip. The depression of the headed stud compresses the coil spring and permits the foot to be rotated from a position in alignment with the saddle clip to a position at an oblique angle thereto, such that one end of the foot is beneath and in engagement with a flange of an underlying grating support member, and the opposite end, beneath and in engagement with one parallel load-supporting bars of the grating. Release of the depressed headed stud partially relaxes the compressed coil spring while ensuring tensioning of the clip engaged grating against the support flange to overcome vibration of the assembly of the grating to the flanged support. In one aspect the tensioned grating fastener for fastening a grating formed of laterally spaced parallel bars interconnected by longitudinally spaced cross bars to an underlying support having a flange at one side perpendicular to said laterally spaced parallel bars said fastener includes: an elongated foot having a first end positionable in contact with the flange on a face of the flange opposite that in contact with the grating parallel bars: a second end positionable in contact with one of the parallel bars proximate to the support; a headed rod mounted at one end to the foot and projecting outwardly of the face of the foot, contacting the grating, the rod positionable between adjacent parallel bars; a hook element having a base portion with a hole therein, at least one hook element side wall unitary with the base and projecting at right angles thereto to the side of the hole, the hook element side wall terminating at an end remote from the base in a reversely bent hook, sized to fit over and about one of the parallel bars, the headed rod projecting through the hole within the base and coupled to the foot; and a coil spring concentrically mounted about the rod having one end in contact with the headed end of the rod and another end in contact with the base; and wherein the height of the grating parallel bars, the height of the rod and the hook element the wall and the axial length of the coil spring are such that with the hook fitted over one of the parallel bars, axial displacement of the rod through the hook element base hole in the direction of the foot, causes the coil spring to be placed under compression, permitting rotation of the foot from a position in line with hook element, to a position at an angle therewith and engagement of respective ends of the foot with the support flange and the one grating parallel bar with the coil spring maintained under compression, thereby tensioning the hook engaged grating against the flange support to resist disengagement as a result of vibration or the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,147, incorporated fully herein for all purposes, discloses a grating fastener which can be used to connect grating to structural members, grating sheets to other grating sheets, or to mount a projection means above the grating for connection of other structural or mechanical devices. The grating fastener in one embodiment includes a jaw assembly which has teeth that provide extra strength and holding power for the grating fastener. The top cover or recess clip mounts on top of the grating and includes a square recess area which provides additional strength and durability. The grating fastener can be installed from above the grating by one person with no power tools required and without any holes required to be formed into the structure. The grating fastener is retrievable and can be reused as many times as desired. In one aspect the grating fastener is for fastening a grating sheet to another member in contact with the grating sheet, the grating sheet having a plurality of parallel grating bars wherein each grating bar has an upper and lower surface and a first and second side, the grating fastener having: a recess clip for mounting on the upper surface of adjacent grating bars and having a hole disposed therein, the recess clip having a length and a width greater than the distance between adjacent grating bars such that either the length or the width of the recess clip spans across the adjacent grating bars; an assembly for engaging the member or lower surface of adjacent grating bars; and a fastening means for passing through the hole in the recess clip and for engaging the assembly. In one aspect, the fastener is a composite grating fastener for fastening a first grating sheet to an adjacent second grating sheet wherein each grating sheet has a plurality of parallel grating bars, the composite grating fastener having: a first grating fastener attaching to the first grating sheet; a second grating fastener attaching to the second grating sheet; a connecting means for connecting the first grating sheet to the second grating sheet; wherein the first and second grating fasteners engage the connecting means.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a grating fastener with a first bolt that is secured with a nut to a plate, floor, substructure, bar or structural member. The first bolt has an interior threaded channel that receives a second bolt inserted through a grating that is placed on top of the plate, etc. A washer surrounds the second bolt and abuts the top of the grating.

The second bolt is installed from above through the grating into the first bolt. Thus, when securing a grating to a plate, etc., it is not necessary to access the area beneath the plate, etc. when installing the second bolt since the nut has already been tightened below the plate, etc. If the second bolt begins to unthread from the first bolt and/or is loosened, gravity holds the second bolt and/or washer in place and the projection of the second bolt into the interior channel of the first bolt holds the second bolt in position with respect to the grating. This holding in position of the second bolt also inhibits separation of the washer from the second bolt. Neither the second bolt nor the first bolt (secured to the floor, etc.), nor the washer will fall down into or through the grating.

The nut used to secure the first bolt to the plate, etc. may be any suitable nut, including, but not limited to, a lock nut. Optionally, a washer may be used with the nut.

The first bolt has a bolt head which can be any suitable shape, e.g., but not limited to, square, rectangular, or hex-head the bolt head size and/or shape may be selected to accommodate any grating and any spacing between grating parts between which the bolt head is located. In one particular aspect, to enhance maintenance of the grating in position, the bolt head fits snugly between two parts of the grating when the grating is placed on top of the plate, etc.

The present invention discloses methods for securing a grating to a lower member (e.g. a plate, beam, subfloor, etc.), the methods including: inserting a primary bolt of a securement apparatus through a hole in a member; the securement apparatus including the primary bolt, a nut to secure the primary bolt to the member, the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel, a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and a washer positionable around the secondary bolt; securing the primary bolt to the member with the nut; placing a grating on the member above the primary bolt, the grating having a plurality of spaced-apart grating members; inserting the secondary bolt through the washer and between two of the plurality of spaced-apart grating members and into the interior channel of the primary bolt so that the exterior threading of the secondary bolt threadedly engages the interiorly threaded interior channel of the primary bolt; and tightening the secondary bolt to the primary bolt with the washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the member. A plurality of such securement apparatuses may be used, spaced-apart, to secure the grating to a member below the grating.

The present invention discloses securement apparatus for securing a grating to lower member, the securement apparatus including: a primary bolt insertable through a hole in a member; a nut to secure the primary bolt to the member; the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel; a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt; a washer positionable around the secondary bolt; the primary bolt securable to the member with the nut; the secondary bolt insertable through the washer and between two of a plurality of spaced-apart grating members of a grating placed above the lower member and into the interior channel of the primary bolt so that the exterior threading of the secondary bolt can threadedly engage the interiorly threaded interior channel of the primary bolt; and the secondary bolt tightenable to the primary bolt with the washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the member.

It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious grating fastening systems and methods of their use; and

Such systems and methods in which parts of a fastener are inhibited from falling through a grating.

Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance grating fastening technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings.

Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly described so that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention described below and which may be included in the subject matter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to be read to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at least certain preferred embodiments of the invention, there are other objects and purposes which will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention's teachings and disclosures. It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and for securing a grating to a member below the grating; and, in certain aspects, to such systems and methods in which gravity can hold a loose secondary bolt in place.

The present invention recognizes and addresses the problems and needs in this area and provides a solution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the following description of certain preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claim this invention no matter how others may later attempt to disguise it by variations in form, changes, or additions of further improvements.

The Abstract that is part hereof is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and scientists, engineers, researchers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent terms or legal terms of phraseology to determine quickly from a cursory inspection or review the nature and general area of the disclosure of this invention. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is done by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention or of the claims in any way.

It will be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed, described, and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical advantages and/or elements in claims to this invention.

Certain aspects, certain embodiments, and certain preferable features of the invention are set out herein. Any combination of aspects or features shown in any aspect or embodiment can be used except where such aspects or features are mutually exclusive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of embodiments of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. These drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have other equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grating fastening apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a secondary bolt apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a washer of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a primary bolt of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a nut of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1E is a cross-section view of the secondary bolt of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1F is a cross-section view of the washer of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1G is a cross-section view of the primary bolt of FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1H is a cross-section view of the nut of FIG. 1D.

FIG. 1I is a top view of the washer of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1J is a bottom view of the washer of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a steel plate to which a primary bolt is to be attached.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the plate of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the plate of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top view of the plate of FIG. 2A with a primary bolt installed.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the plate of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the plate of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the plate of FIG. 3A with a nut on the bolt.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the plate of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a cross-section view of the plate of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the plate of FIG. 4A with a grating on the plate.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the plate and grating of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the plate and grating of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the plate and grating of FIG. 5A with a secondary bolt and washer installed.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the items of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a top view of the items of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the items of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7B is a cross-section view of the items shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a grating fastened to a lower structure with apparatuses according to the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of parts of an apparatus according to the present invention on a plate.

FIG. 9B is a side view of a system according to the present invention securing a grating to the plate of FIG. 9A.

Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. Various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention are described below and some are set out in the dependent claims. Any combination of aspects and/or features described below or shown in the dependent claims can be used except where such aspects and/or features are mutually exclusive. It should be understood that the appended drawings and description herein are of preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention or the appended claims. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In showing and describing the preferred embodiments, like or identical reference numerals are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

As used herein and throughout all the various portions (and headings) of this patent, the terms “invention”, “present invention” and variations thereof mean one or more embodiment, and are not intended to mean the claimed invention of any particular appended claim(s) or all of the appended claims. Accordingly, the subject or topic of each such reference is not automatically or necessarily part of, or required by, any particular claim(s) merely because of such reference. So long as they are not mutually exclusive or contradictory any aspect or feature or combination of aspects or features of any embodiment disclosed herein may be used in any other embodiment disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 10 according to the present invention for securing a grating to a plate, member, substructure, floor, or other structure. FIGS. 1A-1J show parts of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 includes a primary bolt 20 which has a body 22, a bolt head 24 and an interior threaded channel 26. The body 22 is exteriorly threaded. A threaded nut 28 is used to fasten the primary bolt 20 to a plate, etc.

A secondary bolt 30 has a body 32 which is exteriorly threaded for threaded engagement in the interior threaded channel 26 of the primary bolt 20. The bolt 30 has a bolt head 34.

A washer 40 has a body 42 with a hole 44 for the secondary bolt 30 and an optional inner indentation or “bucket” 46. In one aspect a washer 40 is sized so that it covers two grating bars or members.

FIGS. 2A-7B illustrate steps in a method according to the present invention to use an apparatus 10 according to the present invention to secure a grating 100 to a plate 102. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, a hole 104 is drilled in the plate 102 for receiving a primary bolt 20 (shown installed in FIGS. 3A-3C). A nut 28 secures the primary bolt 20 to the plate 102.

A secondary bolt 30 threaded into the interior channel 26 of the primary bolt 20 holds a washer 40 in place on the grating 100 and, when tightened, secures the grating 100 to the plate 102 (FIGS. 5A-7B).

As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7A, the washer 40 is sufficiently wide to contact two spaced-apart parts 106 of the grating 100. As shown in FIG. 7A, the primary bolt 20 has a head 24 sized to fit snugly between bases 101 of the parts 106. Optionally, such a bolt head can be smaller so that there is no such snug fit.

FIG. 8 illustrates the amount of total area of a grating 110 with spaced-apart grating members 112 covered by washers 40a (like the washer 40, FIG. 1) around bolts 30a of apparatuses according to the present invention. For example, with a grating 110 which has an area (as viewed from above as in FIG. 8) of about one square meter, six apparatuses are used according to the present invention. The grating 110 has connection members 114 connecting the grating members 112.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus 90 according to the present invention is like the apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) and like numerals indicate like parts. A primary bolt 92 has a body 94 with a bolt head 96 which has generally rectangular shape (as viewed from above in FIG. 9A). In one aspect the bolt head 96 has a width which fits snugly between bases 108 of bars 109 of a grating 120 when the bolt 92 is secured to a plate 107. Sides of the bolt head 96 are straight to correspond to straight surfaces of the bars 109.

Using fasteners according to the present invention with a first bolt secured to a lower plate or other member and a second bolt secured to the first bolt, the incidence of parts of a fastener falling through a grating is reduced. Even when the second bolt may be loosened with respect to the first bolt, gravity holds the second bolt and washer in place.

The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a method for securing a grating to a lower member, the method including: inserting a primary bolt of a securement apparatus through a hole in a member; the securement apparatus including the primary bolt, a nut to secure the primary bolt to the member, the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel, a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and a washer positionable around the secondary bolt; securing the primary bolt to the member with the nut; placing a grating on the member above the primary bolt, the grating having a plurality of spaced-apart grating members; inserting the secondary bolt through the washer and between two of the plurality of spaced-apart grating members and into the interior channel of the primary bolt so that the exterior threading of the secondary bolt threadedly engages the interiorly threaded interior channel of the primary bolt; and tightening the secondary bolt to the primary bolt with the washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the member. Such a method according to the present invention may have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: wherein the washer has a washer width sufficient for the washer to cover a portion of each of two adjacent grating members, the method further including: positioning the washer to contact two adjacent grating members; wherein the primary bolt has a bolt head with bolt faces, the spaced-apart grating members have exterior surfaces, the exterior surfaces parallel to each other, the method further including: positioning the primary bolt between a first grating member and a second grating member so that opposed bolt faces of the bolt head abut an exterior surface of each of the first grating member and the second grating member; wherein the bolt head is hexagonal with six bolt faces; wherein the bolt head is rectangular with four bolt faces; wherein the washer includes a central bucket area; loosening of the secondary bolt with respect to the primary bolt, and the secondary bolt held in position by gravity following said loosening; and/or wherein the lower member is a plate, beam bar substructure, or structural member.

The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a method for securing a grating to a lower member, the method including: inserting a primary bolt of a securement apparatus through a hole in a member; the securement apparatus including the primary bolt, a nut to secure the primary bolt to the member, the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel, a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and a washer positionable around the secondary bolt; securing the primary bolt to the member with the nut; placing a grating on the member above the primary bolt, the grating having a plurality of spaced-apart grating members; inserting the secondary bolt through the washer and between two of the plurality of spaced-apart grating members and into the interior channel of the primary bolt so that the exterior threading of the secondary bolt threadedly engages the interiorly threaded interior channel of the primary bolt; tightening the secondary bolt to the primary bolt with the washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the member; wherein the washer has a washer width sufficient for the washer to cover a portion of each of two adjacent grating members, the method further including positioning the washer to contact two adjacent grating members; loosening of the secondary bolt with respect to the primary bolt; and the secondary bolt held in position by gravity following said loosening.

The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a method for securing a grating to lower member, the method including employing a plurality of securement apparatuses to connect the grating to the lower members, the plurality of securement apparatuses spaced-apart above the lower member, the method further including: inserting a primary bolt of each securement apparatus through a hole in the lower member; each securement apparatus including a primary bolt, a nut to secure the primary bolt to the lower member, the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel, a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and a washer positionable around the secondary bolt; securing each primary bolt to the lower member with a nut; placing a grating on the lower member above the primary bolts, the grating having a plurality of spaced-apart grating members; inserting each secondary bolt through a washer and between two of the plurality of spaced-apart grating members and into an interior channel of a primary bolt so that the exterior threading of each secondary bolt threadedly engages the interiorly threaded interior channel of a primary bolt; and tightening each secondary bolt to a primary bolt with a washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the lower member. Such a method according to the present invention may have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: wherein the grating has an area of about one square meter and six securement apparatuses are used to secure the grating to the lower member; wherein each primary bolt has a bolt head with bolt faces, the spaced-apart grating members having exterior surfaces, the exterior surfaces parallel to each other, the method further including positioning each primary bolt between two grating members so that opposed bolt faces of each bolt head abut an exterior surface a grating member; wherein the bolt heads are hexagonal with six bolt faces; wherein the bolt heads are rectangular with four bolt faces; wherein each washer includes a central bucket area; and/or loosening of the secondary bolts with respect to the primary bolts, and the secondary bolts held in position by gravity following said loosening.

The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a securement apparatus for securing a grating to lower member, the securement apparatus including: a primary bolt insertable through a hole in a member; a nut to secure the primary bolt to the member; the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel; a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt; a washer positionable around the secondary bolt; the primary bolt securable to the member with the nut; the secondary bolt insertable through the washer and between two of a plurality of spaced-apart grating members of a grating placed above the lower member and into the interior channel of the primary bolt so that the exterior threading of the secondary bolt can threadedly engage the interiorly threaded interior channel of the primary bolt; and the secondary bolt tightenable to the primary bolt with the washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the member. Such a securement apparatus according to the present invention may have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: wherein the washer has a washer width sufficient for the washer to cover a portion of each of two adjacent grating members; wherein the primary bolt has a bolt head with bolt faces, the spaced-apart grating members having exterior surfaces, the exterior surfaces parallel to each other, the primary bolt positionable between a first grating member and a second grating member so that opposed bolt faces of the bolt head abut an exterior surface of each of the first grating member and the second grating member; wherein the washer includes a central bucket area; and/or wherein the secondary bolt is loosenable with respect to the primary bolt, and the secondary bolt is holdable in position by gravity following said loosening.

In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appended claims are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the scope of this invention and it is further intended that each element or step recited in any of the following claims is to be understood as referring to the step literally and/or to all equivalent elements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may be utilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 103. This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with all of the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. The inventors may rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of their invention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain to apparatus not materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All patents and applications identified herein are incorporated fully herein for all purposes. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A method for securing a grating to a lower member, the method comprising

inserting a primary bolt of a securement apparatus through a hole in a member,

the securement apparatus including the primary bolt, a nut to secure the primary bolt to the member, the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel, a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and a washer positionable around the secondary bolt,

securing the primary bolt to the member with the nut,

placing a grating on the member above the primary bolt, the grating having a plurality of spaced-apart grating members,

inserting the secondary bolt through the washer and between two of the plurality of spaced-apart grating members and into the interior channel of the primary bolt so that the exterior threading of the secondary bolt threadedly engages the interiorly threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and

tightening the secondary bolt to the primary bolt with the washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the member.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the washer has a washer width sufficient for the washer to cover a portion of each of two adjacent grating members, the method further comprising

positioning the washer to contact two adjacent grating members.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the primary bolt has a bolt head with bolt faces, the spaced-apart grating members have exterior surfaces, the exterior surfaces parallel to each other, the method further comprising

positioning the primary bolt between a first grating member and a second grating member so that opposed bolt faces of the bolt head abut an exterior surface of each of the first grating member and the second grating member.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the bolt head is hexagonal with six bolt faces.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the bolt head is rectangular with four bolt faces.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the washer includes a central bucket area.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising

loosening of the secondary bolt with respect to the primary bolt, and

the secondary bolt held in position by gravity following said loosening.

8. A method for securing a grating to a lower member, the method comprising

inserting a primary bolt of a securement apparatus through a hole in a member,

the securement apparatus including the primary bolt, a nut to secure the primary bolt to the member, the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel, a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and a washer positionable around the secondary bolt,

securing the primary bolt to the member with the nut,

placing a grating on the member above the primary bolt, the grating having a plurality of spaced-apart grating members,

inserting the secondary bolt through the washer and between two of the plurality of spaced-apart grating members and into the interior channel of the primary bolt so that the exterior threading of the secondary bolt threadedly engages the interiorly threaded interior channel of the primary bolt,

tightening the secondary bolt to the primary bolt with the washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the member,

wherein the washer has a washer width sufficient for the washer to cover a portion of each of two adjacent grating members, the method further comprising positioning the washer to contact two adjacent grating members, loosening of the secondary bolt with respect to the primary bolt, and the secondary bolt held in position by gravity following said loosening.

9. A method for securing a grating to lower member, the method including employing a plurality of securement apparatuses to connect the grating to the lower members, the plurality of securement apparatuses spaced-apart above the lower member, the method further comprising

inserting a primary bolt of each securement apparatus through a hole in the lower member,

each securement apparatus including a primary bolt, a nut to secure the primary bolt to the lower member, the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel, a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and a washer positionable around the secondary bolt,

securing each primary bolt to the lower member with a nut,

placing a grating on the lower member above the primary bolts, the grating having a plurality of spaced-apart grating members,

inserting each secondary bolt through a washer and between two of the plurality of spaced-apart grating members and into an interior channel of a primary bolt so that the exterior threading of each secondary bolt threadedly engages the interiorly threaded interior channel of a primary bolt, and

tightening each secondary bolt to a primary bolt with a washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the lower member.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the grating has an area of about one square meter and six securement apparatuses are used to secure the grating to the lower member.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein each primary bolt has a bolt head with bolt faces, the spaced-apart grating members having exterior surfaces, the exterior surfaces parallel to each other, the method further comprising

positioning each primary bolt between two grating members so that opposed bolt faces of each bolt head abut an exterior surface a grating member.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the bolt heads are hexagonal with six bolt faces.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the bolt heads are rectangular with four bolt faces.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein each washer includes a central bucket area.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising

loosening of the secondary bolts with respect to the primary bolts, and

the secondary bolts held in position by gravity following said loosening.

16. A securement apparatus for securing a grating to lower member, the securement apparatus comprising

a primary bolt insertable through a hole in a member,

a nut to secure the primary bolt to the member,

the primary bolt having an interiorly threaded interior channel,

a secondary bolt exteriorly threaded and insertable into the interior channel of the primary bolt to threadedly engage the threaded interior channel of the primary bolt,

a washer positionable around the secondary bolt,

the primary bolt securable to the member with the nut,

the secondary bolt insertable through the washer and between two of a plurality of spaced-apart grating members of a grating placed above the lower member and into the interior channel of the primary bolt so that the exterior threading of the secondary bolt can threadedly engage the interiorly threaded interior channel of the primary bolt, and

the secondary bolt tightenable to the primary bolt with the washer abutting a top of the grating to secure the grating to the member.

17. The securement apparatus of claim 16 wherein the washer has a washer width sufficient for the washer to cover a portion of each of two adjacent grating members.

18. The securement apparatus of claim 16 wherein the primary bolt has a bolt head with bolt faces, the spaced-apart grating members having exterior surfaces, the exterior surfaces parallel to each other, the primary bolt positionable between a first grating member and a second grating member so that opposed bolt faces of the bolt head abut an exterior surface of each of the first grating member and the second grating member.

19. The securement apparatus of claim 16 wherein the washer includes a central bucket area.

20. The securement apparatus of claim 16 wherein

the secondary bolt is loosenable with respect to the primary bolt, and

the secondary bolt is holdable in position by gravity following said loosening.