US4553523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-way adjustable grate and method for adjusting the length and width
Assignee: Harper Wyman Co
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Filing: 1982-11-29
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Granted: 1985-11-19
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Expires: 2002-11-29
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable grate includes first and second identical grate members each with first and second parallel supports. A plurality of upper and lower elements are secured to and extend perpendicularly to the parallel supports providing a space between the upper and lower elements. The grate is assembled by positioning the second support of each grate member between the upper and lower elements of the opposing grate member. The width of the grate is adjusted by sliding the first and second grate members together or apart. The length of the grate is adjusted by moving an upper end of the first grate member above the upper end of the second grate member until the distance between the upper end of the first grate member and the lower end of the second grate member is the desired length. First and second extension members are then positioned between the first and second supports and the upper and lower elements of each grate member. The first extension member is then extended to a length equal to the distance between the upper end of the second grate member and the upper end of the first grate member and the second extension member is extended to the distance between the lower end of the first grate member and the lower of the second grate member.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Stohrer, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:51
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/06; A47J37/0694
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A grate, comprising: first and second identical rack members, each said first and second rack member including a base member, a first support secured at a first end to an upper surface of each said base member, each said first support extending perpendicularly from each said base member, and a second support secured at a first end to a lower surface of each said base member, extending perpendicularly from each said base member, said first support being spaced from said second support on said first rack member a sufficient distance to extend above and below, respectively, of said base member on said second rack member allowing said base members of said first and second rack members to be brought toward each other to vary the width of said grate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A grate, comprising: first and second identical rack members, each said first and second rack member including a base member, a first support secured at a first end to an upper surface of each said base member, each said first support extending perpendicularly from each said base member, and a second support secured at a first end to a lower surface of each said base member, extending perpendicularly from each said base member, said first support being spaced from said second support on said first rack member a sufficient distance to extend above and below, respectively, of said base member on said second rack member allowing said base members of said first and second rack members to be brought toward each other to vary the width of said grate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The grate set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second supports are parallel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The grate set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second supports each comprises a plurality of rods, wherein there are fewer rods comprising said second support than said rods comprising said first support and each rod in said second support is aligned between a pair of rods in said first support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The grate set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second rack members further comprises a second base member spaced from said base member and positioned between said first and second supports.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The grate set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and second supports of said first rack member are slideably positioned on opposite sides of said second base member of said second rack member and said first and second supports of said second rack member are slideably positioned on opposite sides of said second base member of said first rack member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The grate set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pair of extension members, said extension members including first and second interconnected legs, said extension members slideably positioned adjacent said base member between said first and second supports of each of said first and second rack members.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for adjusting the length and width of a grate wherein said grate includes first and second identical grate members, each said first and second grate member includes upper and lower ends, each said first and second grate member includes first and second base members, a plurality of upper support elements secured to an upper surface of each of said first and second base members and a plurality of lower support elements secured to a lower surface of each of said first and second base members, said upper and lower support elements each include ends spaced from said first and second base members wherein said ends of said upper support elements are adjacent to and spaced from said ends of said lower support elements, said method for adjusting comprising the steps of: aligning said second base member of said first grate member between said ends of said upper and lower support elements of said second grate member, aligning said second base member of said second grate member between said ends of said upper and lower support elements of said first grate member, and moving said first grate member toward said second grate member to position said first base members of said first and second grate members a predetermined distance apart.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for adjusting the length and width of a grate wherein said grate includes first and second identical grate members, each said first and second grate member includes upper and lower ends, each said first and second grate member includes first and second base members, a plurality of upper support elements secured to an upper surface of each of said first and second base members and a plurality of lower support elements secured to a lower surface of each of said first and second base members, said upper and lower support elements each include ends spaced from said first and second base members wherein said ends of said upper support elements are adjacent to and spaced from said ends of said lower support elements, said method for adjusting comprising the steps of: aligning said second base member of said first grate member between said ends of said upper and lower support elements of said second grate member, aligning said second base member of said second grate member between said ends of said upper and lower support elements of said first grate member, and moving said first grate member toward said second grate member to position said first base members of said first and second grate members a predetermined distance apart.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method for adjusting set forth in claim 7, further comprising the step of positioning said upper ends of said first and second grate members at a predetermined distance apart along the length of said first and second base members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method for adjusting set forth in claim 8 further comprising the steps of inserting a first extension member between said first and second base members and said upper and lower support elements of said first grate member, and inserting a second extension member between said first and second base members and said upper and lower support elements of said second grate member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method for adjusting set forth in claim 9 further comprising the steps of sliding said first extension member relative to said upper and lower support elements to position at least a portion of said first extension member between said upper end of said first grate member and the upper end of said second grate member, and adjusting the length of said second extension member to the distance between said lower end of said second grate member and the lower end of said first grate member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
A grate adjustable both in length and width, comprising: first and second identical grate members, each said first and second grate member including first and second parallel base support members, a plurality of upper elements extending perpendicular to said first and second support members, each said upper element including first and second ends, each said first end secured to said first support member, said second support member secured to each said upper element, and a plurality of lower elements extending parallel to said upper extending elements and perpendicular to said first and second support members, each said lower element including first and second ends with each of said first ends secured to said first support member, said second support member being secured to each said lower element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
A grate adjustable both in length and width, comprising: first and second identical grate members, each said first and second grate member including first and second parallel base support members, a plurality of upper elements extending perpendicular to said first and second support members, each said upper element including first and second ends, each said first end secured to said first support member, said second support member secured to each said upper element, and a plurality of lower elements extending parallel to said upper extending elements and perpendicular to said first and second support members, each said lower element including first and second ends with each of said first ends secured to said first support member, said second support member being secured to each said lower element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable grate claimed in claim 11 further comprising at least one extension member, said extension member being substantially curvilinear and of a dimension and configuration to allow insertion between said upper and lower elements and between said first and second support members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The adjustable grate claimed in claim 12 wherein said extension member is S-shaped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The adjustable grate claimed in claim 11 wherein said first and second support members and said upper and lower elements each comprise identical rods.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The adjustable grate claimed in claim 11 wherein the number of upper elements exceeds the number of lower elements.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-18 | 1989-05-20 | 1989-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-18 | 1993-05-20 | 1993-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-18 | 1997-05-20 | 1997-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |