Adjustable window well grate

Abstract

A grate for an opening that has a wall section with an upper rim, such as a window well, includes a rigid base and a plurality of rigid spokes extending outwardly from the base. Each spoke includes a fixed section affixed to the base and an extendible section that terminates in a distal end and that is movably supported by the fixed section between a retracted position and an extended position. The sections of the spokes may be telescopically engaged. In one embodiment, the base includes a hub member and a brace member positioned outwardly of the hub member with the fixed member of the spokes having opposite ends affixed respectively thereto. In another embodiment, the base member has a central section and a pair of base extension pieces that may be extended and retracted.

1 . A grate adapted to extend over an opening formed in part by a wall section that has in an upper rim and that extends around at least a portion of the opening, comprising: 
 (A) a rigid base;    (B) a plurality of rigid spokes supported by and extending outwardly from said base, each said spoke including: 
 (1) a fixed section affixed to said base, and  
 (2) an extendible section terminating in a distal end and being movably supported by said fixed section whereby said extendible section may be moved to a selected position between an extended position and a retracted position such that the distal end portion thereof may be selectively adjusted to be at different distances from said base.  
   
   
   
       2 . A grate according to  claim 1  wherein said base includes a base member having central section and a pair of base extension pieces movably supported by said central section whereby said base extension pieces may be moved between an extended position and a retracted position such that the distal ends thereof may be selectively positioned at different distances apart from one another.  
   
   
       3 . A grate according to  claim 2  wherein said fixed sections of said spokes are affixed to said central section.  
   
   
       4 . A grate according to  claim 2  wherein said base includes a hub member secured to said base member, said fixed sections of said spokes being affixed to said hub member.  
   
   
       5 . A grate according to  claim 1  wherein said base is defined by a hub member, said fixed sections of said spokes being affixed to said hub member.  
   
   
       6 . A grate according to  claim 5  including a brace member positioned outwardly of said hub member with first ends of said fixed sections affixed to said hub member and with second ends of said fixed section affixed to said brace member.  
   
   
       7 . A grate according to  claim 5  wherein said hub member is arcuate in shape.  
   
   
       8 . A grate according to  claim 1  wherein each said extendible section is telescopically received in a respective said fixed section.  
   
   
       9 . A grate according to  claim 1  wherein the distal end portion of each of said extendible section has a hole formed therein that is sized and adapted to receive an anchor element.  
   
   
       10 . A grate according to  claim 1  wherein the distal end portion of each of said extendible section is formed as a lip sized and adapted to engage the upper rim of said wall section.  
   
   
       11 . A grate according to  claim 10  wherein the distal end portion of each of said extendible section has a notch formed therein proximately to said lip, said notch sized to receive the upper rim of said wall section therein.  
   
   
       12 . A grate according to  claim 1  wherein each said spoke includes a releasably locking element operative to secure a respective said extendible section in the selected position.  
   
   
       13 . A grate according to  claim 12  wherein said locking element is a set screw.  
   
   
       14 . A grate adapted to extend over a window well for a window wherein the window well includes an upstanding retaining wall that terminates in an upper rim and that extends around at least a portion of said window so as to form a well allowing light to enter the window, comprising: 
 (A) a rigid base including a hub member;    (B) a brace member positioned outwardly of said hub member;    (C) a plurality of rigid spokes supported by and extending outwardly from said base, each said spoke including: 
 (1) a fixed section having a first end portion affixed to said hub member and an opposite second end portion affixed to said brace member, and  
   (2) an extendible section terminating in a distal end and being telescopically received by said fixed section whereby said extendible section may be moved to a selected position between an extended position and a retracted position such that the distal end portion thereof may be selectively adjusted to be at different distances from said base.    
   
   
       15 . A grate according to  claim 14  wherein said base includes a base member having central section and a pair of base extension pieces movably supported by said central section whereby said base extension pieces may be moved between an extended position and a retracted position such that the distal ends thereof may be selective positioned at different distances apart from one another, said hub member being secured to said central section.  
   
   
       16 . A grate according to  claim 14  wherein the distal end portion of each of said extendible section has a hole formed therein that is sized and adapted to receive an anchor element.  
   
   
       17 . A grate according to  claim 14  wherein the distal end portion of each of said extendible section is formed as a lip sized and adapted to engage the upper rim of said retaining wall.  
   
   
       18 . A grate according to  claim 17  wherein the distal end portion of each of said extendible section has a notch formed therein proximately to said lip, said notch sized to receive the upper rim of said retaining wall therein.  
   
   
       19 . A grate according to  claim 14  wherein each said spoke includes a releasably locking element operative to secure a respective said extendible section in the selected position.  
   
   
       20 . In a window well associated with a building that has a structural sidewall supporting a window wherein the window well includes an upstanding retaining wall with an upper rim and that extends around at least a portion of said window so as to form a well allowing light to enter the window, an improvement comprising a grate adapted to extend over an upper portion of the window well and including a rigid base adapted to be positioned adjacent to said structural side wall and a plurality of rigid spokes supported by and extending outwardly from said base, each said spoke including a fixed section affixed to said base, and an extendible section terminating in a distal end and being movably supported by said fixed section whereby each said extendible section may be moved to a selected position between an extended position and a retracted position such that the distal end portion thereof may be selectively adjusted to be at different distances from said base.