GB2557640A

GB2557640A - Floor gratings and methods for their assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2557640A
Application number: GB1621228.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harris Mark; Austin Jason
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-14
Filing date: 2016-12-14
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Also published as: GB201621228D0

Abstract

The first component is a floor grating bar including an undulating gripping surface 13 of peaks and troughs where the peaks have a radius of curvature so that they dont form a sharp edge. Also claimed is a grating bar with an opening 25 with an elongate dimension 27 passing through its body. Also claimed is a grating linking plate 5 including a blade portion 39 and at least one neck portion 41 with a relatively reduced width compared to the blade portion. The bar and linking portions may be coupled together as the aperture in the bar is dimensioned so that when the neck in the linking plate is aligned with the aperture the plate can be rotated such that the plate is perpendicular to the elongate dimension of the aperture. Also claimed is a kit including a bar and the linking plate. Also claimed is a method of assembly of a floor grating using the bar with the aperture and the linking plate.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Jaguar Land Rover Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Abbey Road, Whitley, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV3 4LF, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Mark Harris

Jason Austin (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2451867 A FR 001191536 A NL 000083038 C US 2959117 A US 1706892 A

DE 000564707 C FR 001007873 A US 4968170 A US 2834267 A US 20060218872 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL E04C

Other: Online: WPI, EPDOOC, PATENTS FULLTEXT.

(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

HGF Limited

Document Handling - HGF - (Manchester),

City Walk, LEEDS, LS11 9DX, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Floor gratings and methods for their assembly Abstract Title: Floor Grating and components for making the grating.

(57) The first component is a floor grating bar including an undulating gripping surface 13 of peaks and troughs where the peaks have a radius of curvature so that they don’t form a sharp edge. Also claimed is a grating bar with an opening 25 with an elongate dimension 27 passing through its body. Also claimed is a grating linking plate 5 including a blade portion 39 and at least one neck portion 41 with a relatively reduced width compared to the blade portion. The bar and linking portions may be coupled together as the aperture in the bar is dimensioned so that when the neck in the linking plate is aligned with the aperture the plate can be rotated such that the plate is perpendicular to the elongate dimension of the aperture. Also claimed is a kit including a bar and the linking plate. Also claimed is a method of assembly of a floor grating using the bar with the aperture and the linking plate.

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Fig. 1

Fig. 2

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Fig· 4

49 51 53

Fig. 5 57

FLOOR GRATINGS AND METHODS FOR THEIR ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to floor gratings and methods for their assembly and particularly, but not exclusively, to floor grating bar gripping surfaces and means for attaching floor grating bars together to form a grating. Aspects of the invention relate to floor grating bars, floor grating linking plates, floor grating kits, floor gratings and methods of assembly for floor gratings. The disclosure may have particular application to floor gratings used in painting booths or other product application booths where liquid or aerosolised products are applied. Though not intended to be limiting the following background is, for simplicity, provided in the context of an automobile paint application booth.

BACKGROUND

Automobile paint shops typically comprise paint booths in which paint is sprayed by human operative or robot onto the bodies of vehicles. In order to control overspray a downdraft is generated within the booth to direct overspray into a body of flowing water at the bottom of the booth, the water then carrying the excess paint away. The vehicles and any human operatives stand on floor gratings suspended above the flowing water.

The gratings allow the majority of paint oversprayed to reach the water. Nonetheless a proportion is deposited on the grating surfaces themselves and in particular on the upturned surface (or gripping surface) thereof.

Paint accumulated on the gripping surfaces can be very sticky, making walking difficult and even damaging for the joints of operatives. The gratings are therefore cyclically installed, turned and then cleaned at regular intervals (typically replacement or turning occurs every eight hours). The installation, turning and removal for cleaning of the gratings creates significant down-time. Additionally the cleaning of the gratings to remove the paint tends to damage them. The gratings comprise a grid of parallel grating bars and linking cables provided perpendicular to the bars. The linking cables are provided top and bottom and are positioned in notches provided in the bars. The cables are welded to the bars. Cleaning of the gratings requires high pressure washing or heating in an oven (often to temperatures in excess of 500°C). Both processes are costly and tend to cause failure of the welds. This can result in the cables rising out of the surface of the grating and presenting a trip hazard.

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a floor grating bar, a floor grating linking plate, a floor grating kit, a floor grating and a method of assembly for floor gratings as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect there is provided a floor grating bar comprising an undulating gripping surface.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a floor grating bar comprising an undulating gripping surface of peaks and troughs where at least one of the peaks and troughs are radiused.

According to another aspect there is provided a floor grating bar comprising an undulating gripping surface of peaks and troughs where the peaks are radiused. The radiused peaks may reduce the contact area of an edge of the bar that is likely to contact an operatives footwear. The radiused peaks may be beneficial by comparison with pointed peaks or peaks with edges that may abrade footwear and/or other equipment such as paint lines. Furthermore the undulation in the gripping surface may encourage any material collecting on the gripping surface to flow away from the peaks providing the principle contact surface for footwear and other equipment.

In some embodiments the peaks have a radius of curvature of between 0.5mm and 7mm. In some embodiments the peaks have a radius of curvature of between 1mm and 5mm. In some embodiments the peaks have a radius of curvature of between 1.5mm and 3mm. In some embodiments the radius of curvature of the peaks is substantially 2mm. Such radii of curvature may be advantageous in terms of paint run-off, contact area and smoothness to prevent damage (e.g. to hose lines).

In some embodiments the distance between peaks is between 5mm and 15mm. In some embodiments the distance between peaks is between 7mm and 13mm. In some embodiments the distance between peaks is between 9mm and 11mm. In some embodiments the distance between peaks is substantially 10mm.

In some embodiments the height between peaks and troughs is between 2mm and 10mm. In some embodiments the height between peaks and troughs is between 3mm and 7.5mm. In some embodiments the height between peaks and troughs is between 4mm and 5mm. In some embodiments the height between peaks and troughs is substantially 4.5mm.

In some embodiments the radiusing of each peak extends either side of that peak in a peak region.

In some embodiments the troughs are radiused.

In some embodiments the radiusing of each trough extends either side of that trough in a trough region.

In some embodiments the undulating gripping surface comprises a transition region of consistent gradient between the peak and trough regions.

In some embodiments the contour of the undulating gripping surface is continuous. Thus it may be said that there are no discontinuities in the contour with all changes in gradient being smooth.

In some embodiments every part of the undulating gripping surface is curved.

In some embodiments the undulating gripping surface has a consistent radius of curvature throughout its extent.

In some embodiments the shape of the undulating gripping surface is consistent from one peak to the next.

In some embodiments the undulating gripping surface is substantially sine wave shaped.

In some embodiments the grating bar comprises two undulating gripping surfaces, one on each of its upper and lower edges. This may mean that the grating bar is better suited to use in a grating which is reversible, which may increase utilisation between cleaning.

In some embodiments the grating bar comprises an opening passing through its body and configured to receive a floor grating linking plate.

In some embodiments the undulating gripping surface is unbroken by the opening. Indeed in some embodiments the opening is spaced from all edges of the grating bar. This may mean that failure of any joint between the grating bar and linking plate is unlikely to result in displacement of the linking plate out of the surface of the grating.

In some embodiments the opening has an elongate portion shaped and sized to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of a blade portion of the linking plate. Especially where the blade portion is the widest part of the linking plate, this may allow the linking plate to be slid through the openings of one or more grating bars during construction of a grating.

In some embodiments the opening has an enlarged central portion configured to allow rotation of the linking plate within the opening when a neck portion of the linking plate, having a reduced width by comparison with the blade portion, is aligned with the opening, the rotation being from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion. Such a rotation may allow the grating bar and linking plate to be securely engaged even prior to further jointing (such as welding). Further the resulting grating may be stronger, with the linking plates being potentially more substantial, more integrally incorporated and better protected by the grating bars than the prior art cables.

In some embodiments the enlarged central portion is bounded in part by stop surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly outwards from the elongate portion and configured to abut the neck portion when the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion. The stop surfaces may prevent beyond perpendicular rotation of the linking plate and provide a convenient location to create a bond (e.g. welding) between the grating bar and linking plate.

In some embodiments the stop surfaces are misaligned with one another substantially by the depth of the linking plate.

In some embodiments the enlarged central portion comprises lobes extending outwardly from the elongate portion and sized to accommodate between them the full width of the neck portion as the linking plate is rotated from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

In some embodiments each lobe is bounded in part by a curved wall, the curved wall being shaped to substantially follow the curved path defined by an outer edge of the neck portion as the linking plate is rotated from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion. Each lobe may also be bounded by the elongate portion and one of the stop surfaces.

In some embodiments the grating bar comprises multiple such openings each configured to receive an example of the linking plate.

According to yet another aspect there is provided a floor grating bar comprising an opening passing through its body and configured to receive a linking plate, the opening having an elongate portion shaped and sized to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of a blade portion of the linking plate and an enlarged central portion configured to allow rotation of the linking plate within the opening when a neck portion of the linking plate, having a reduced width by comparison with the blade portion, is aligned with the opening, the rotation being from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

According to a further aspect there is provided a floor grating linking plate comprising at least one blade portion and at least one neck portion, the neck portion having a reduced width by comparison with the blade portion and the linking plate being configured to pass through an opening in the body of a floor grating bar, the opening having an elongate portion shaped and sized to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of the blade portion of the linking plate and an enlarged central portion configured to allow rotation of the linking plate within the opening when the neck portion of the linking plate is aligned with the opening, the rotation being from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

In some embodiments the linking plate comprises multiple blade portions and multiple neck portions arrayed in an alternating arrangement.

In some embodiments the ends of the linking plate are each provided with a securing member configured to engage securing formations in respective frame bars which surround the remainder of a grating in which the linking plate is incorporated in use.

According to a yet further aspect there is provided a floor grating kit of parts comprising at least one floor grating bar in accordance with one of the previous floor grating bar aspects and a floor grating linking plate according to the floor grating linking plate aspect.

In some embodiments the kit of parts further comprises one or more frame bars which surround the remainder of a grating in which the grating bar and linking plate are incorporated in use.

According to a still further aspect there is provided a floor grating comprising at least one floor grating bar in accordance with one of the previous floor grating bar aspects.

In some embodiments the floor grating comprises multiple such grating bars arranged separated from and in parallel to one another.

In some embodiments the floor grating comprises at least one floor grating linking plate passing through openings in the bodies of at least two of the grating bars and joined to those grating bars. Joining may for instance be achieved through welding at intersections of the linking plate with the respective grating bars. As will be appreciated the openings and linking plates may be similar to those described in the previous aspects.

In some embodiments the floor grating comprises multiple such linking plates arranged separated from and in parallel to one another.

In some embodiments the grating bars and linking plates are joined in a grid arrangement. Specifically the grating bars and linking plates may be perpendicular to one another.

In some embodiments the floor grating comprises a plurality of frame bars surrounding the grating bars and linking plates and securing them at their ends in securing formations arranged to receive a complimentary securing member of the grating bar or linking plate.

According to an additional aspect there is provided a method of assembly for a floor grating comprising at least two floor grating bars and a floor grating linking plate, each grating bar comprising an opening passing through its body and configured to receive the linking plate, the opening having an elongate portion shaped and sized to substantially match the crosssectional shape of a blade portion of the linking plate and an enlarged central portion configured to allow rotation of the linking plate within the opening when a neck portion of the linking plate, having a reduced width by comparison with the blade portion, is aligned with the opening, the rotation being from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion, where the linking plate has at least as many neck portions as there are floor grating bars, the method comprising:

i) Orienting the linking plate so as it is aligned with the elongate portion and sliding the grating bars and/or linking plate so as the linking plate passes through the openings of the grating bars;

ii) Aligning the openings with respective neck portions of the linking plate;

iii) Rotating the grating bars and/or the linking plate with respect to one another so as the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portions.

In some embodiments the method is performed on a jig.

In some embodiments the method comprises forming a frame of frame bars around the grating bars and linking plate and securing the grating bars and linking plate at their ends to the frame bars. The joining may be by welding.

In some embodiments the method comprises joining the grating bars and linking plate at their intersections. The joining may be by welding.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows views of a floor grating in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2 shows views of a floor grating bar in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

Figure 3 shows views of a floor grating linking plate in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

Figure 4 shows views of frame bars in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

Figure 5 illustrates a method of assembling a grating in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a floor grating generally provided at 1. The grating 1 comprises a plurality of floor grating bars 3 disposed so as to be separated from and parallel to one another. The grating 1 also comprises a plurality of floor grating linking plates 5 disposed so as to be separated from and parallel to one another, but perpendicular to the grating bars 3. The grating bars 3 and linking plates 5 form a grid arrangement which is surrounded by frame bars 7.

The grating bars 3, linking plates 5, and frame bars 7 and the way in which they are joined is discussed further below with reference to Figures 2-5.

Figure 2 shows top and side views of an example of the grating bar 3, with the side view including an enlargement of a portion thereof.

The grating bar has top 9 and bottom 11 edges. Each of the top 9 and bottom 11 edges has an undulating gripping surface 13 of peaks 15 and troughs 17. The undulation of each gripping surface 13 is a curve the contour of which is continuous (i.e. does not have edge like discontinuities) and the shape of the undulation is consistent from one peak 15 to the next. The undulation substantially corresponds to a sine wave. Consequently the peaks 15 and troughs 17 are radiused (rather for instance than having comers or even sharp points). In the embodiment shown the radius of curvature of each peak 15 and trough 17 is 2mm, the distance between adjacent peaks 15 is 10mm (as is the distance between adjacent troughs 17) and the height between peaks 15 and troughs 17 is 4.5mm. The radiusing of each peak 15 may be considered to extend either side of the peak 15, forming a radiused peak region 19. Similarly the radiusing of each trough 17 may be considered to extend either side of the trough 17, forming a radiused trough region 21. A transition region 23 of consistent gradient may then be considered to extend between adjacent peak 19 and trough 21 regions.

A series of equally spaced openings 25 pass through the body of the grating bar 3, from one side to the other. The openings 25 are spaced from all edges of the grating bar and in particular from the undulating gripping surfaces 13. Each opening 25 has an elongate portion 27 that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the grating bar 3. Additionally each opening 25 has an enlarged central portion 29 comprising a pair of lobes 31, one lobe 31 extending outwards from each side of the elongate portion 27 that faces one of the undulating gripping surfaces 13. Each lobe 31 is bounded by the elongate portion 27, a stop surface 33 and a curved wall 35. The stop surfaces 33 extend substantially perpendicularly outwards from the respective sides of the elongate portion 27 that face one of the undulating gripping surfaces 13. Each curved wall 35 extends from the point of the respective stop surface 33 furthers from the elongate portion 27 and follows a convexly curved path back to the elongate portion 27. The respective stopping surfaces 33 face opposite ends of the grating bar 3 (and the same is also true of the respective curved walls 35). The opposite ends of the grating bar 3 each comprise a securing member in the form of a flange 37 protruding from the remainder of the grating bar 3.

Referring now to Figure 3, top and side views of an example of the linking plate 5 are shown. The linking plate 5 comprises a repeating structure of a blade portion 39, connected to another blade portion by a neck portion 41 and so on. As can be seen in the side view of Figure 3, the neck portions 41 (which are of consistent width) have a reduced width by comparison with the blade portions 39 (which are also of consistent width). The opposite ends of the linking plate 5 each comprise a securing member in the form of a flange 43 protruding from the remainder of the linking plate 5.

Referring now to Figure 4, side views of frame bars 7 are shown. The frame bars 7 are similar to the grating bar 3 but for the openings 25 being replaced by equally spaced securing formations (e.g. rectangular apertures 45 provided through the bodies of the frame bars 7, from one side to the other). At their ends, the frame bars 7 have complimentary jointing formations 44, allowing their attachment to one another to form a rectangular frame surrounding the rest of the grating 1. As shown in Figure 4, the jointing formations 44 may comprise a slot at an end of one frame bar and a complementary flange on the end of another frame bar intended to be joined therewith.

Referring now to Figure 5, an assembly method and use of the grating 1 is described. First the grating plates 3 are laid out in a parallel and aligned arrangement, separated by the distance between neck portions 41 of the linking plate 5. This is performed on a jig (not shown) arranged to support the grating plates 3 in this layout.

Thereafter, in a step 47, each linking plate 5 is oriented and positioned so as the crosssectional shape of its blade portions 39 is aligned with the elongate portions 27 of a series of the openings 25 through the aligned grating plates 3. In this regard the openings 25 are configured to receive a linking plate 5 and the elongate portions 27 in particular are shaped and sized to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of the blade portion 39.

Next, in a step 49, each linking plate 5 is slid through the openings 25 with which it is aligned.

In a step 51, each linking plate 5 is positioned so as each opening 25 is aligned with one of the neck portions 41.

In a step 53, each linking plate 5 is rotated through approximately 90° until the blade portions 39 are substantially perpendicular to the elongate portions 27 and the neck portions 41 abut respective examples of the stopping surfaces 33. This rotation of the linking plates 5 is accommodated in view of the enlarged central portions 29 being configured to allow this rotation within the openings 25. Specifically this is possible where the neck portions 41 (with their reduced width by comparison with the blade portions 39), are aligned with the openings 25. The curved walls 35 of the lobes 31 are shaped to substantially follow the curved path defined by an outer edge of a respective neck portion 41 as the linking plate 5 is rotated. Further the lobes 31 are sized to accommodate between them the full width of the neck portion 41 as the linking plate 5 is rotated. Therefore the enlarged central portions 29 provide enough clearance for non-interference (or insignificant interference) with the neck portions 41 as the linking plates 5 are rotated. Prevention of over rotation of the linking plates 5 is achieved via their abutment with the respective stopping surfaces 33 once the blade portions 39 are substantially perpendicular to the elongate portions 27. Further because the stop surfaces 33 are misaligned or offset with one other substantially by the depth of the linking plate 5, the respective neck portion 41 can be accommodated between them at right angles to the elongate portion 27.

In an additional step 55 a frame of frame bars 7 is formed around the grating bars 3 and linking plates 5. The grating bars 3 and linking plates 5 are secured at their ends to the frame bars 7 via engagement of the relevant flange 37, 43 with one of the rectangular apertures 45. Welding is performed at the site of these engagements, at the jointing formations 44 and in step 57 at the points of intersection between the grating bars 3 and linking plates 5 to join them.

The resulting grating 1 may be stronger than existing designs and less likely to cause a hazard if damaged by a cleaning process or otherwise. In view of undulating gripping surfaces 13 being provided on both sides of the grating bars 3 and frame bars 7, the grating 1 may, in use, be periodically reversed to extend intervals between cleaning and/or increase life. Further the radiused peaks 15 of the undulating gripping surfaces 13 may reduce the contact area between the grating 1 and an operative’s footwear. This may be advantageous where for example the undulating gripping surface 13 is covered with a film of paint. The undulating gripping surface may also tend to encourage liquid materials to flow away from the radiused peaks 15. This may increase periods between necessary cleaning cycles. Additionally the undulating gripping surface 13 may present no significant risk to personnel and equipment in view of its curving profile.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A floor grating bar comprising an undulating gripping surface of peaks and troughs where the peaks are radiused.

2. A floor grating bar according to claim 1 where the peaks have a radius of curvature of between 0.5mm and 7mm.

3. A floor grating bar according to claim 1 or claim 2 where the distance between peaks is between 5mm and 15mm.

4. A floor grating bar according to any preceding claim where the height between peaks and troughs is between 2mm and 10mm.

5. A floor grating bar according to any preceding claim where the undulating gripping surface comprises a transition region of consistent gradient between a peak region and a trough region of the undulating gripping surface.

6. A floor grating bar according to any preceding claim where the undulating gripping surface is substantially sine wave shaped.

7. A floor grating bar according to any preceding claim comprising two undulating gripping surfaces, one on each of its upper and lower edges.

8. A floor grating bar according to any preceding claim comprising an opening passing through its body and configured to receive a floor grating linking plate.

9. A floor grating bar according to any claim 8 where the opening is spaced from all edges of the grating bar.

10. A floor grating bar according to claim 8 or claim 9 where the opening has an elongate portion shaped and sized to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of a blade portion of the linking plate.

11. A floor grating bar according to claim 10 where the opening has an enlarged central portion configured to allow rotation of the linking plate within the opening when a neck portion of the linking plate, having a reduced width by comparison with the blade portion, is aligned with the opening, the rotation being from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

12. A floor grating bar according to claim 11 where the enlarged central portion is bounded in part by stop surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly outwards from the elongate portion and configured to abut the neck portion when the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

13. A floor grating bar according to claim 12 where the enlarged central portion comprises lobes extending outwardly from the elongate portion and sized to accommodate between them the full width of the neck portion as the linking plate is rotated from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

14. A floor grating bar according to claim 13 where each lobe is bounded in part by a curved wall, the curved wall being shaped to substantially follow the curved path defined by an outer edge of the neck portion as the linking plate is rotated from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

15. A floor grating bar comprising an opening passing through its body and configured to receive a linking plate, the opening having an elongate portion shaped and sized to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of a blade portion of the linking plate and an enlarged central portion configured to allow rotation of the linking plate within the opening when a neck portion of the linking plate, having a reduced width by comparison with the blade portion, is aligned with the opening, the rotation being from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

16. A floor grating linking plate comprising at least one blade portion and at least one neck portion, the neck portion having a reduced width by comparison with the blade portion and the linking plate being configured to pass through an opening in the body of a floor grating bar, the opening having an elongate portion shaped and sized to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of the blade portion of the linking plate and an enlarged central portion configured to allow rotation of the linking plate within the opening when the neck portion of the linking plate is aligned with the opening, the rotation being from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion.

17. A floor grating kit of parts comprising at least one floor grating bar in accordance with any of claims 1 -15 and a floor grating linking plate according to claim 16.

18. A floor grating comprising at least one floor grating bar in accordance with any of claims 1-15.

19. A floor grating in accordance with claim 18 comprising multiple such grating bars arranged separated from and in parallel to one another and at least one floor grating linking plate in accordance with claim 16 passing through the openings in the bodies of at least two of the grating bars and joined to those grating bars.

20. A floor grating according to claim 19 comprising a plurality of frame bars surrounding the grating bars(3) and linking plates and securing them at their ends in securing formations arranged to receive a complimentary securing member of the grating bar or linking plate.

21. A method of assembly for a floor grating comprising at least two floor grating bars and a floor grating linking plate, each grating bar comprising an opening passing through its body and configured to receive the linking plate, the opening having an elongate portion shaped and sized to substantially match the cross-sectional shape of a blade portion of the linking plate and an enlarged central portion configured to allow rotation of the linking plate within the opening when a neck portion of the linking plate, having a reduced width by comparison with the blade portion, is aligned with the opening, the rotation being from an orientation where the blade portion is substantially aligned with the elongate portion to an orientation where the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portion, where the linking plate has at least as many neck portions as there are floor grating bars, the method comprising:

')

ϋ)

5 iii)

Orienting the linking plate so as it is aligned with the elongate portion and sliding the grating bars and/or linking plate so as the linking plate passes through the opening of the grating bars;

Aligning the openings with respective neck portions of the linking plate; Rotating the grating bars and/or the linking plate with respect to one another so as the blade portion is substantially perpendicular to the elongate portions.

22. A method according to claim 21 comprising forming a frame of frame bars around the grating bars and linking plate and securing the grating bars and linking plate at their

0 ends to the frame bars.

23. A method according to claim 21 or claim 22 comprising joining the grating bars and linking plate at their intersections.

Intellectual

Property

Office

GB1621228.4

1-14. 17-20 (in part)

Application No: Claims searched: