Lock rod system for flooring grating and method for assembling same

Claim 2

A fiber reinforced plastic flooring grating, comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced support members; (b) spacer means for interconnecting said support members, said spacer means extending through aligned apertures defined in said support members, said spacer means including first and second members having a longitudinal extent, said second member being notched at intervals corresponding to the spacing between adjacent support members, the notches being adapted to engage said support members, said first and second members being securedly attached to one another by a substantially continuous layer of adhesive dispensed along the longitudinal extent of said first and second members, said first and second members cooperating to retain said support members at a predetermined spacing.

Claim 3

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of said members makes contact with a flange portion of said support members so as to provide vertical support therefor.

Claim 4

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first member includes a channel-like portion defining a recessed relatively flat bearing surface positioned beteen projecting guide portions, said channel-like portion being adapted for receipt of said second member.

Claim 5

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 3, wherein a bottom surface of said second member adjacent said first member defines two spaced apart, raised ridge portions extending longitudinally along the edges of said second member, said ridge portions making contact with said relatively flat bearing surface of said first member to raise a central surface portion of said bottom surface lying between said ridge portions above said relatively flat bearing surface of said first member.

Claim 6

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support members and said first and second members are made from a fiberglass reinforced material.

Claim 7

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second member has a top surface which is generally curvilinear.

Claim 8

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein side surfaces of said first member are curvilinear.

Claim 9

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apertures defined in said support members are generally cylindrical.

Claim 10

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein adhesive is placed in the notches defined by said second member, said second member being securedly attached to said spaced support members by said adhesive positioned in the notches.

Claim 11

A flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first member includes a tapered end portion.

Claim 14

An apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein an adhesive generally displaying thixotropic properties is utilized.

Claim 17

The method in accordance with claim 13, further including the step of applying adhesive continuously along the length of said elongated spacer elements on the surface thereof adjacent said central core member prior to the step of inserting the elongated spacer elements through the aligned apertures in said flooring members.

Claim 18

The method in accordance with claim 13, further including the step of tapering one of the ends of said central core members to form a generally wedge-shaped end portion.

Claim 19

The method in accordance with claim 13, further including the step of tapering one of the ends of each of said elongated spacer elements such that the surface of said elongated spacer elements adjacent said central core member diverges away from said central core member in a direction toward the end of said elongated spacer elements.

Claim 20

A fiber reinforced plastic grating structure, comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced parallel bearing elements, said bearing elements defining a plurality of spaced apertures along the longitudinal extent of said bearing elements; (b) interconnecting means for holding said bearing elements in a predetermined space relationship, said interconnecting means extending through respectively aligned apertures in said bearing elements; (c) said interconnecting means including a key rod member provided with two diametrically opposed generally U-shaped, longitudinally extending grooves on the outer surface of said key rod member; and, (d) said interconnecting means further including two lock rod members adapted to slide in said grooves of said key rod member, said lock rod members being securedly connected to said key rod member by a substantially continuous layer of adhesive positioned between said key rod member and said lock rod members generally along the longitudinal extent thereof, said lock rod members defining generally a top surface facing away from said key rod member, two side surfaces, and a bottom surface facing said key rod member, said lock rod members defining notches in said top surface at predetermined intervals corresponding to the spacing between said bearing elements, the notches being adapted to engage the bearing elements, said lock rod members and said key rod member cooperating to increase the rigidity of said interconnecting means.

Claim 21

A fiber reinforced plastic grating structure, comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced parallel bearing elements, said bearing elements defining a plurality of spaced apertures along the longitudinal extent of said bearing elements; (b) interconnecting means for holding said bearing elements in a predetermined space relationship, said interconnecting means extending through respectively aligned apertures in said bearing elements; (c) said interconnecting means including a key rod member provided with two diametrically opposed generally U-shaped, longitudinally extending grooves on the outer surface of said key rod member; and, (d) said interconnecting means further including two lock rod members adapted to slide in said grooves of said key rod member, said lock rod members being securedly connected to said key rod member by a substantially continuous layer of adhesive positioned between said key rod member and said lock rod members generally along the longitudinal extent thereof, said lock rod members defining generally a top surface facing away from said key rod member, two side surfaces, and a bottom surface facing said key rod member, said lock rod members defining notches in said top surface at predetermined intervals corresponding to the spacing between said bearing elements, the notches being adapted to engage the bearing elements, said lock rod members and said key rod member cooperating to increase the rigidity of said interconnecting means.

Claim 22

A grating structure in accordance with claim 17, wherein said lock rod members define a recess in said bottom surface.

Claim 23

A grating structure in accordance with claim 17, wherein one end of each of said lock rod members is tapered on the bottom surface thereof so as to define a bottom surface portion oblique with respect to said corresponding groove in said key rod member, said bottom surface portion diverging away from said corresponding groove in a direction toward the end of said lock rod members.

Claim 24

A grating structure in accordance with claim 19, wherein an opposite end of said lock rod members is somewhat pointed.

Claim 25

A grating structure in accordance with claim 17, wherein aid U-shaped grooves each define a relatively flat bearing surface and two side portions, said relatively flat bearing surfaces being tapered at one end of said key rod member toward each other to form a generally wedge-shaped portion.

Claim 26

A grating structure in accordance with claim 17, wherein the side walls of said key rod member have generally the same radius of curvature as said aperture in said bearing elements.

Claim 27

A grating structure in accordance with claim 17, wherein said top surfaces of said lock rod members have generally the same radius of curvature as said apertures in said bearing elements.

Claim 28

A grating structure in accordance with claim 17, wherein said securing means is an adhesive displaying thixotropic properties.

Claim 29

A fiber reinforced plastic flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second members include cooperating surface means integral with said first and second members for providing a longitudinally extending space between said first and second members for receipt of the layer of adhesive when said first and second members are positioned in said apertures.

Claim 30

A fiber reinforced plastic flooring grating in accordance with claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of said second member adjacent the first member includes raised ridge means extending longitudinally along said second member for making contact with a relatively flat bearing surface of said first member so as to raise a portion of said bottom surface of said second member above said relatively flat bearing surface of said first member, whereby providing a longitudinally extending space between said first and second members for receipt of the layer of adhesive when said first and second members are positioned in said apertures.

Claim 33

A method in accordance with claim 27, including the step of applying adhesive along both of the adjacent facing surfaces of said first and second members.

Claim 34

A method in accordance with claim 27, including the step of inserting two of said spacer elements through each set of aligned apertures, said spacer elements being positioned along diametrically opposed sides of the first member.

Claim 35

A fiber reinforced plastic flooring grating, comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced support members; (b) spacer means for interconnecting said support members, said spacer means extending through aligned apertures having curvilinear edge surfaces defined in said support members, said spacer members including first and second members having a longitudinal extent, said second members being notched at intervals corresponding to the spacing between adjacent support members, the notches being adapted to engage said support members, said spacer means having a diameter nearly that of said apertures, said first and second members being securedly attached to one another by a substantially continuous layer of adhesive dispensed along the longitudinal extent of said first and second members, said first and second members further including cooperating facing surface means integral with said first and second members for providing a longitudinally extending space between said first and second members for receipt of the layer of adhesive when said first and second members are positioned in said apertures, said first and second members cooperating to retain said support members at a predetermined spacing.

Claim 36

A fiber reinforced plastic flooring grating, comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced support members; (b) spacer means for interconnecting said support members, said spacer means extending through aligned apertures having curvilinear edge surfaces defined in said support members, said spacer members including first and second members having a longitudinal extent, said second members being notched at intervals corresponding to the spacing between adjacent support members, the notches being adapted to engage said support members, said spacer means having a diameter nearly that of said apertures, said first and second members being securedly attached to one another by a substantially continuous layer of adhesive dispensed along the longitudinal extent of said first and second members, said first and second members further including cooperating facing surface means integral with said first and second members for providing a longitudinally extending space between said first and second members for receipt of the layer of adhesive when said first and second members are positioned in said apertures, said first and second members cooperating to retain said support members at a predetermined spacing.