Patent ID: 8585316

Claim:
A locking device for securing an existing installed storm grate to its associated mounting frame, the locking device comprising: c) an upper plate for placing on the top of the grate; d) a positioning frame, the positioning frame comprising: i) a pliers handle for holding the frame with a pair of pliers during insertion; ii) a coupler nut; and iii) a catch end for engaging the underside of the mounting frame of the grate; and c) a bolt for passing through aligned holes in the upper plate and the coupler nut and securing the locking device onto the grate and its frame, the positioning frame further comprising a lower plate for receiving the bolt therethrough, a vertical arm, an elbow, and a horizontal arm leading to the catch end, the locking device further including a wing wedge for engaging the underside of the grate, the wing wedge including a second coupler nut for receiving the bolt therethrough and a stop for blocking rotation of the wing wedge, wherein the wing wedge is screwed onto the bolt via the second coupler nut and positioned on the bolt beneath the lower plate and above the first coupler nut, and wherein during insertion of the device the wing wedge is rotatable about the bolt until rotation is blocked by the stop, the stop causing the wing wedge to take a final position substantially perpendicular to the positioning frame, wherein the locking device can be fitted onto an existing installed storm grate and its associated frame and locked in place without having to remove the storm grate.