GRATING CLAMP SYSTEM

Abstract: A clamping system for attaching standard grating to for example an angle iron support beam having a ledge. The clamping system including at least three elements - (1) an upper saddle anchor or winged fastening element having a central area with a hole in it, the central area terminating at its ends in two, spaced, inverted ''U'' shaped or ''L'' shaped portions which fit over and contact in downwardly directed fastening force the upper sides of two adjacent grating rib members; (2) a lower fastening element having a ''C'' shape which fits over the ledge of the flange; and (3) a bolt which extends through the hole in the upper fastening element and threadably engages a threaded orifice in the upper portion of the ''C'' shaped fastening element. With the upper surface of the lower portion of the ''C'' shaped fastening element in upwardly directed fastening contact with the under surface of the ledge, the bolt is used to draw the upper fastening element down towards the lower ''C'' shaped fastening element, attaching the grating down to its support beam, removably fastening them together. The ''C'' shaped element can be made from flat metal sheet stock of a particular configuration which is folded to form two integrally formed, spaced ''C'' shaped sections (Figures 2 & 4), with the upper winged element made from bent flat stock (Figure 2) or solid extruded or molder material (Figures 5-7). The fastening elements produce a stable, four-point, opposed, fastening force system.

Description: GRATING CLAMP SYSTEM BACKGROUND of INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention is directed to a clamping system for removably fastening two items together, an upper one of which includes two, spaced, adjacent members and the lower one of which includes a ledge, lip or flange or at least some exposed undersurface, and more particularly relates to a clamping system for clamping standard grating down onto support beams made from angle iron, "I" beams or the like, removably fastening the grating to the support beam(s) . 2. Prior Art & General Background In fastening grating to support beams in the prior art, threaded studs are fixedly secured to the beams by welding or shooting them in (ram set) . Alternatively, self tapping screws are used. Saddle anchors (such as that illustrated in Figure 2) are then used to fasten the grating to the beam with the use of nuts threaded onto the studs or screws. However, these approaches have been relatively involved and time consuming, required specialized tools, and had a lot of wastage and corrosive problems. The system of the present invention is easier and faster to install than any method now available to the industry. It eliminates the need for welding or attaching a stud by any means to the structural member, thereby eliminating the corrosion problems associated with grating attachment systems. The only tool needed in the system of the present invention is a nut or bolt driver, and the entire installation is accomplished from above the grating. There is no damage to the integrity of the steel in the structural member or to the paint system applied to the structural member. Various types of clamps for use in association with "I" beams have been disclosed in prior patents; note for example the U.S. patents to Loudon et al (3,276,800, issued October 4, 1966) and Nagashima (4,379,651, issued April 12, 1983). Of course, "C" clamps are also well known in the prior patents. Note for example the U.S. patents to Hachmann (1,233, 223, issued July 10, 1917) and Wing (3,425,681, issued February 4, 1969). Note also the clamp for hanging pipe and the like disclosed in the U.S. indorf patent (2,642,243, issued June 16, 1953) , which utilizes a bolt extending down through the upper portion of a "C" clamp, fastening a pipe to an angle iron support, both of which are included within the interior to the "C" shape. However, although the preferred embodiment oj: the present invention has a lower fastening element which car. have a "C" shape, it does not in fact act like or is used as a "C" claim, which bears on the clamped element from both the top side as well as the bottom side. In the "C" shaped element used in the preferred embodiment, contact with the elements being clamped is only made on the underside of the "C" element, that is only in an upward direction. A further patent which might be of general interest is the U.S. patent to Cpdy (4,030,266, issued June 21, 1977), which utilizes a multi-purpose structural clamp that includes several, bolted-together clamping elements used in conjunction with an "I" beam. However, none of these systems can be utilized to fasten grating to support beams made from angle iron or "I" beams or the like with the great economy, effectiveness, non-corrosiveness and simplicity of the present invention. Additionally, no prior reference known to the applicant utilizes an upper winged element with a lower "C" shaped element utilizing a relatively short bolt to secure the winged element down onto the upper portion of the grating, joining the grate and the upper flange of an "I" beam or angle iron together or, for that matter, joining together any other two analogous or comparable type items. - 4 - 3. General Discussion of the Invention The present invention is directed to a simple, relatively inexpensive, relatively easily applied and unfastened, clamping system for clamping two items together, an upper one of which is made of spaced, adjacent members and the lower one of which includes a ledge type structure, for example that which might be formed from a flange or lip on an "I" beam or angle iron or the like, or to otherwise provide an exposed undersurface , and particularly such a clamping system which can be used to removably join together and fasten grating to support beams. The invention includes at least three ele ents- (1) an upper, winged fastening element; ( 2 ) a lower fastening element, which at least has an "L" shape and preferably a "C" shape; and (3) a bolt fo- bol ing the two elements together. 3oth the upper and iower fastening elements can be made from appropriately cut out, metal sheet stock folded to form the necessary configurations for the two elements or can be made of solid extruded or cast material. The bolt extends through an opening in the central area of the upper fastening element and threadably engages a threaded orifice in the upper portion of the lower fastening element. When the bolt is - 5 - tightened up, it draws the upper fastening element with its winged arms down towards the opposed boot of the "L" shape of the lower fastening element, the upper surface(s) of which is/are in engagement with the lower, undersurface of the ledge of the support beam. With the inverted "U" shaped end portions of the upper fastening elements contacting the upper surfaces of the spaced members or ribs of the grating, the grating is thereby drawn down and held in fastening contact against the support beam between the upper and lower fastening elements. An appropriate number of the clamping systems are used, spaced about the grating, depending on the size of the grating, the number and location of available beams and the total amount of fastening force desired. •To disengage and remove the grating from the support beam, the bolts of the various clamping systems need only to be loosened, allowing the lower "C" shaped elements to be moved sidewardly and up out of engagement with the support beam(s), allowing the grating to be freely moved upwardly. The clamping system of the present invention can be easily applied and removed and simply a d economically manufactured. Additionally, the fastening elements produce a stable, reliable, four- point, spaced and opposed force system clamping the two items together. BRIEF DESCRIPTION of the DRAWINGS For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the clamping system of the present invention applied to the fastening of a section of standard grating (partially shown and partially cut away) to one of its support beams (partially shown) , with the lower portion of the lower "C" shaped fastening element being shown in phantom line and being of solid construction. Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the three basic elements included in the oreferred embodiment of the clamping system of the present invention, using a second embodiment of the lower fastening element made from flat metal sheet stock folded to form two opposed, spaced but integrally formed "C" sections. Figure 3 is a side or end view of the preferred grating/beam application of Figure 1 but using the second embodiment of the lower "C" shaped fastening element illustrated in Figure 2, showing two of the rib members of the grating. Figure 4 is a plan view of the flat, metal stock from which the lower, "C" shaped fastening element of Figures 2 & 3 can be made, with the fold lines being shown by dashed lines. Figures 5-7 are perspective, plan and end views, respectively, of a second embodiment of the upper winged element of the clamping system of the present invention, in which the upper winged element is made of solid material. Figure 8 is a perspective view from the side and bottom perspective of a third, preferred embodiment of the clamping system of the present invention applied to the fastening of a section of standard grating (partially shown and partially cut away) to one of its support "I" beams (partially shown) . with this embodiment being similar to that of Figures 2-4 but with the bridging portion being included at the top of the "C" shaped element and with the upper, winged shaped element being made from fiat stock with the circular, central area being stamped down into the center of the flat stock. Figure 9 is a perspective view from the front, top perspective of the clamping elements of the embodiment of Figure 8 joined together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION of the PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S) As can be seen in Figure 1 , the preferred application for the preferred embodiment of the clamping system 1 of the present invention is to secure a piece of standard grating 2 to one or more support beams 3 (one beam being illustrated) in a manner that allows it to be easily affixed, as well as easily removed when desired. Typically, grating 2 is made up of a series of parallel, spaced, adjacent, longitudinal members or ribs 21, three of which are shown in Figure 1. The metal grating 2 typically come in separate sections, each of which presents on its upper side a support surface having significant strength, allowing or example a number of people to walk upon the grating, while allowing light or air to pass through it. The metal ribs 21 are held together by a series of lateral connectors (not illustrated) to form a rigid unit usually with all parts welded to its connecting parts. Such grating is typically supported on a series of support beams 3 which can be in the form of for example angle iron (as illustrated) or "I" beams or the like. Such support beams 3 typically include a horizontally disposed ledge 31 forming a lip or flange, upon which the grating rests for support. The preferred embodiment of the clamping system 1 of the present invention includes three basic elements - the upper, saddle anchor fastening element 4, a "C" shaped, lower fastening element 5 or 5', and a bolting element 6. A washer 7 can also be included under the head 61 of the bolt 6, as illustrated in Figure 1. The saddle anchor 4, a piece of hardware already known in the art of grating fastening, includes a horizontally disposed, central area 41 with a centrally iocated, circular opening 42 in it (note Figure 2) . At the ends of the saddle anchor 4 are two inverted "IT" shaped portions forming half-loops 43. These half-loops 43 extend over and around in holding engagement two adjacent ribs 21 of the grating 2, as can best be seen in Figure 3. The "C" shaped, lower fastening element 5' includes a lower portion 51 and a mid portion 52, which together form an "L" shape, the boot of which is formed by the lower portion 51. The upper portion 53 then combines with the middle and lower portions 52, 51 to form the "C" shape. A tab portion 54, which extends across the two spaced "C" sections, has a centrally located, threaded orifice 55 in it. The bolting element 6 illustrated is a standard, off-the-shelf bolt having a head 61 and a threaded, cylindrical shaft or stem 62, whose male threads match the female threading of the orifice 55. In use, the bolt 6 is inserted through the opening 42, which has a diameter greater than that of the shaft 62 but less than that of the circle defined by the lateral dimensions of the bolt head 61. The distal end of the threaded bolt shaft 62 is screwed into the threaded orifice 55, with a washer if desired included between the head of the bolt 61 and the upper surface of the central area 41. When the clamping system 1 is used for clamping grating 2 to a support beam 3, the upper surface 56 of the lower portion 51 of the lower fastening element 5 is positioned so that it extends under the ledge 31 and contacts its undersu face 32. As car- best be seen in Figure 2, the upper surface 56 of the lower portion 51 can have raised or roughened areas for enhanced gripping or biting power. The upper fastening element 4 is positioned over the lower fastening element 5/5' with the inverted "U" shaped portions 43 positioned over and in contact with the upper surfaces of two, adjacent grating ribs 21. The bolt 6 is then appropriately positioned and screwed down into the threaded orifice 55, drawing the "C" fastening element 5 up until the lower portion 51 is in firm, upwardly directed holding contact with the underside of the beam ledge 31, fastening the grating 2 down onto the upper surface 33 of the support beam 3, all as illustrated in Figure 3. As can best be seen in Figures 1 and 3, particularly Figure 3, when the clamping system 1 is fully tightened up, the distal end 63 of the bolt 6 does not contact the upper surface 33 of the beam ledge 31, there being a significant gap between the two. This of course is completely different from the use of the typical, well-known "C" clamp. It should be further noted that, as the bolt 6 is screwed down, bringing the upper fastening element 4 and the lower fastening element 5/5' closer together, four, spaced, opposed fastening forces (note direction arrows in Figure 3) are generated producing a firm, stable, four-point fastening force system. This produces a rigid, tight fastening of the grating 2 to the beam 3 in the vertical plane, while the raised or roughened portions on the spaced, upper surfaces 56 bite into the lower, underside surface 32 of the beam 3, resisting any sideward forces. When it is desired to remove the grating 2, the bolt 6 of each clamping system 1 is merely unscrewed, loosening the upper, saddle anchor 4 so that it can be moved up out of engagement with the ribs 21. The lower "C" shaped element 5/5' is then moved out of engagement with the ledge 31, which allows the clamping system 1 to be completely removed, which in turn allows the grating 2 to be freely picked up. Of course, although only one clamping system 1 is illustrated, usually a series of them located about the grating 2 will be used to firmly but removably attach the grating 2 to its support beam(s) 3. The lower, "C" shaped fastening element 5' can be made from flat steel or other metal sheet stock by cutting out a piece having the configuration shown in Figure 4 and folding this sheet along the fold lines A, B and C. Thus, by folding along fold lines A and B, the two, soaced, opposed ! 'C" shaped portions are formed integrally joined together by the black portion 57. The tab portion 54 is then folded up about fold line C until it extends across to the opposed "C" section and contacts the underside area 58, to which it can be affixed if desired by welding or the like. However, because the fastening force on the tab portion 54 is directed upwardly, mere contact with the underside 58 of the upper portion (note Figure 2) is usually sufficiently reliable. The "C" shaped piece 5" thus formed produces a very rigid, strong fastening element. Alternatively, rather -fhan being joined at their back-sides with section 57, the "C" shaped sides 51- 53 could be joined at their top sides by an integral section extending along for example the full length of the tops 53, which top section would include the threaded orifice 55, thus eliminating the bent-over tab 54 and the back-section or portion 57. Like the embodiment 5' this alternative embodiment could be made from flat stock and bent along fold lines at the top sections 53 to form the top integral bridging section having the orifice 55. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 8 clamping standard grating 2 to an "I" beam support 3A, which has an upper ledge 31A. " As can best be seen in Figure 9, the "C" shape element includes two spaced "C" sides, each made up of portions 151, 152, 153 joined together at the ton sections 153 by bridging top section 154. The embodiment 5" is made from. flat stock bent at the upper sections 153 along fold lines A', B' to form the top 154. Likewise, the upper fastening, anchor saddle 4 can be formed from an extended, fiat piece of steel or other metal sheet stock by merely folding up, over and down its ends to form the inverted "ϋ" shaped portions 43. Alternatively, as can be seen in Figures 5-7, the upper winged element 40 can be made of extruded or cast/molder material, such as for example plastic or aluminum. As in the other embodiment, the central portion 141 has a central hole or opening 142 for the bolt and two winged portions 143. The centrally located opening 142 is counter-sunk to accommodate the bolt head 61, producing a relatively smooth upper surface. However, the winged portions 143 have flat, !, L" shaped undersides (note Figure 71 for contacting and holding the upper surfaces of the grating ribs. This configuration has the advantage of being able to clear or not contact any obstacles such as cross-bars that might exist between adjacent grating ribs. In contrast, the saddle anchor 4 with its down-turned ends of the "U" shapes prevents the clamping system from being used at certain locations of some grating. With the central portion 141 extending down between the ribs forming the "L" shapes with the undersides of the winged portions 143, the winged element 40 thus extends over and partially around the ribs on their inner sides, that is on one side of each rib. A third embodiment 140 of Figures 8 & 9 is the most preferred for the upper winged element (as well as for the "C" element 5"), in that it is in the form that has been commercialized. The upper winged element 140 is made from flat stock with the central circular area 241 stamped down into it. As can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, the upper winged element 141 includes the depressed central area 241 producing the "L" shaped side wing sections 243. A typical, exemplary clamping system 1 could include a "C" shaped element 5' made from ten gauge, one-eighth inch thick steel plate having an over-all width (51 + 57 + 51) of two and three quarters inches and a central width (52 + 57 + 52) of seven-eighths of an inch, and an over-all height (51 + 52 + 53) of one and an quarter inches and an interior height (52) of three quarters of an inch. This would accommodate flanges up to about five-eighths of an inch in thickness. The tab portion (54) could extend a half incn across witn a back-siαe width of three-eighths of an inch. The bolt 6 typically could be a quarter inch standard threaded machine bolt having an effective length a quarter inch less than the grating thickness (height of the ribs 21) . The upper fastening element 4 typically could be a shallow (eighth inch) standard, "off-the-shelf* saddle anchor. If desired, all these elements 40, 5 and 6 could be made of plastic, enhancing the non-corrosive aspects of the system. Of course, although the fastening of a grating to its support beam(s) is considered the most preferred application, the clamping system of the present invention could be used to fasten other items together in which one item has at least two, spaced, adjacent members and the other item has an extended lip or flange or other underside surface to which the boot or lower portion 51 of the fastening element 5' (5) can engage in fastening or holding contact. Additionally, although the "C" shape for the lower fastening element 5/5' is preferred because it centers and balances out in a symmetrical fashion the four-point fastening force system, it could be made as an " L " shape in which a threaded orifice (analogous to 55) is included in the upwardly extended ortion of the "L" shape. These are of course only a few of the possible variations in the preferred embodiments disclosed in detail above. It should be noted that, insofar ' as the terminology of this specification is concerned, the phrase "at least an 'L' shape" genericallv includes a "C" or "U" shape, since the latter two shapes are in essence an "L" with an additional leg to form the "C" or "U". The embodiments described herein in detail - 13 - for exemplary purposes are of course subject to many different variations in structure, design and application. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concepts herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims: CLAIM (S) What is CLAIMED is: 1. A clamped grating system for providing a removable grating surface capable of supporting significant loads, such as the weight of one or more human beings walking upon the surface, comprising: at least one extended area grating made up of a series of longitudinally extended, laterally spaced, adjacent, rigid ribs forming the grating surface; at least one support beam having a horizontally extending ledge underlying and supporting said grating; and at least one clamp means attached between said grating and said support beam for fastening the two of them together, each said clamp means including - - a rigid, lower fastening element defining at least an "L" shaped interior over which said ledge extends, the upper side of the boot of the "L" shape being in upwardly directed holding contact with the undersurface of said ledge; - a winged, upper fastening element having a central area spaced from but positioned above and over said lower fastening element, said winged element having upper arms extending laterally over and across and in downwardly directed holding contact with the upper surfaces of two adjacent ribs of said grating; and - a bolt element extending through said central area of said winged element down into the upper end of said lower fastening element bolting said winged element down to said lower fastening element, the distal end of said bolting element being out of contact with said beam, producing compressive, fastening forces between said grating and said beam, fastening in a removable way said grating to said support beam. 2. The system of Claim 1, wherein said central area of said winged, upper, fastening element extends down lower than said upper arms between said ribs, each of which forms at least an "L" shape extending over and around at least one side of its respective rib. 3. The system of Claim 1, wherein said central area includes a round opening through it, and said bolting element is in the form of a bolt, the shaft of which extends down through said opening and the head of which in lateral dimension is larger than said opening, the underside of which head bears down at least indirectly against the upper surface of said central area. 4. The system of Claim 3, wherein there is further included a washer between the head of said bolt and the upper surface of said central area. 5. The system of Claim 3, wherein said lower fastening element has a threaded orifice in its upper end, the threaded, lower end of said bolt being in threaded engagement with said threaded orifice. 6. The system of Claim 1, wherein said lower fastening element is at least generally "C" shaped, defining an interior "C" shape having a height greater than the thickness of said ledge, the middle and lower portions of which form said "L" shape, the upper portion of said "C" shape being spaced from the upper surface of said ledge. 7. The system of Claim 6, wherein said lower fastening element is made from sheet stock bent to form two, laterally spaced "C" shaped portions integrally joined together at one of their sides, the fastening forces produced by said upper and lower fastening elements providing a spaced, four-point, opposed, stable, vertically symmetrical, centralized, fastening force system. 8. The system of Claim 7, wherein the upper portion of one of said "C" shaped portions includes a tab portion which is bent over toward the other "C" shaped portion and contacts the upper portion of said other "C" shaped portion. 9. The system of Claim 8, wherein the end of said tab portion which contacts said upper portion of said other "C" shaped portion is fixedly joined to said upper portion. 10. The system of Claim 2, wherein said upper, winged fastening element is " made from extended metal sheet stock bent at its ends to form two, spaced, inverted "U" shapes extending up from said central area to form said arms and said lower central area. 11.* A clamp system for joining together two items, an upper one having two spaced, adjacent members and a lower one having an exposed undersurface, comprising: - a rigid, lower fastening element defining ' at least an "L" shaped interior which extends under the exposed undersurface, the upper side of the boot of the "L" shape forming lower contact means for upwardly directed holding contact with the exposed undersur ace; - a winged, upper fastening element having a central area spaced from but positionable above and over said lower fastening element, said winged element having upper arms extendable laterally over and across forming upper contact means for downwardly directed holding contact with the upper surface of the two spaced, adjacent members; and - bolt element means extendable down through said central area of said winged element down into the upper end of said lower fastening element bolting said winged element down to said lower fastening element without the distal end of said bolting element means contacting the item.with the exposed undersurface for producing compressive, fastening forces between the upper and lower items, fastening in a removable way the two items. 12. The system of Claim 11, wherein said central area of said winged, upper fastening element extends down lower than said upper arms, each of which forms at least an "L" shape capable of extending over and around at least one side of its respective member. 13. The system of Claim 11, wherein said central area includes a round opening through it, and said bolting element is in the form of a bolt, the shaft of which extends down through said opening and the head of which is larger in lateral dimension than said opening, the underside of which head bears down at least indirectly against the upper surface of said central area. 14. The system of Claim 13, wherein there is further included a washer between the head of said bolt and the upper surface of said central area. 15. The system of Claim 13, wherein said lower fastening element has a threaded orifice in its upper end, the threaded, lower end of said bolt being screwable into threaded engagement with said threaded orifice. 16. The system of Claim 11, wherein said lower fastening element is at least generally "C" shaped, defining an interior "C" shape having a height greater than the thickness of the exposed undersurface, the middle and lower portions of which form said "L" shape, the upper portion of said "C" shape being spacable from the upper surface of the exposed undersurface. 17. The system of Claim 16, wherein said lower fastening element is made from sheet stock bent to form two, laterally spaced "C" shaped portions integrally joined together at one of their sides, the fastening forces producible by said upper and lower fastening elements providing a spaced, four-point, opposed, stable, vertically symmetrical, centralized, fastening force system. 18. The system of Claim 17, wherein the upper portion of one of said "C" shaped portions includes a tab portion which is bent over toward the other "C" shaped portion and contacts the upper portion of said other "C" shaped portion. 19. The system of Claim 18, wherein the end of - 25 said tab portion which contacts said upper portion of said other "C" shaped portion is fixedly joined to said upper portion. 20. The system of Claim 12, wherein said upper, winged fastening element is made from extended metal sheet stock bent at its end to form two, spaced, inverted "U" shapes extending up from said central area to form said arms and said lower central area. 21. The system of Claim 12, wherein said upper winged fastening element consists of a central portion with two, flat, sidewardly extending arms together forming a smooth, flat upper surface without any upwardly extending projection(s) , said central portion being thicker than said arms which are identical in thickness, said central portion and said arms forming the "L" shapes. 22. The system of Claim 2, wherein said upper winged fastening element consists of a central portion with two, flat, sidewardly extending arms together forming a smooth, flat upper surface without any upwardly extending projection(s) , said central portion being thicker than said arms which are identical in thickness, said central portion and said arms forming the "L" shapes. 23. A method for joining together two items, an upper one having two spaced, adjacent members and a lower one having an exposed undersurface, comprising: (a) providing a clamp system including - a rigid, lower fastening element defining at least an "L" shaped interior which extends under the exposed undersurface, the upper side of the boot of the "L" shape forming lower contact means for upwardly directed holding contact with the exposed undersurface; - a winged, upper fastening element having a central area spaced from but positionable above and over said lower fastening element, said winged element having upper arms extendable laterally over and across forming upper contact means for downwardly directed holding contact with the upper surfaces of the two spaced, adjacent me Ders; and - bolt element means extendable down through said central area of said winged element down into the upper end of said lower fastening element (b) placing said lower element adjacent the lower item so that the boot of the "L" shape is positioned under the exposed undersurface and placing said upper winged element so that it extends over the tops of the two spaced, adjacent members of the top item; and (c) bolting up said bolt element means while it is connected between said upper and lower fastening - 27 - elements bolting said winged element down to said lower fastening element without the distal end of said bolting element means contacting the lower item with the exposed undersurface producing compressive, fastening forces between the upper and lower items, fastening in a removable way the two items.

Inventors: BOSTICK WILLIAM C JR, BOSTICK, WILLIAM, C., JR.
Applicants: BOSTICK WILLIAM C JR, PUGH EMMETT C, BOSTICK, WILLIAM, C., JR., PUGH, EMMETT, C.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: E04C2
IPC codes: E04B1, E04C2, E04F19, F16B7