Patent ID: 8091292

Claim:
An apparatus for controllably covering and opening a window well which is at least partially subterranean, comprising: at least one mount adapted for attachment to the window well wherein the at least one mount includes at least two U-shaped mounting pieces which fit over an upper edge of the window well along opposing sides of the window well; at least one grate pivotally connected to said at least one mount, said at least one grate having a grate frame and plural grate elements arranged in spaced relationship; at least one operator inboard mounting feature on said at least one mount; at least one operator, said operator having an inboard end and an outboard end; at least one operator inboard connector for detachably connecting the at least one operator toward the inboard end thereof to said at least one operator inboard mounting feature wherein the at least one operator inboard connector is configured to provide a swivel and ball joint; at least one operator outboard connector for detachably connecting the at least one operator toward the outboard end thereof to the at least one grate wherein the at least one operator outboard connector provides a ball joint and an elongate member which extends over a plurality of grate elements; wherein said operator applies force to assist in opening said at least one grate relative to the window well to reduce opening force required to open the at least one grate to allow egress from the window well.