Grate apparatus and method for covering and opening a channel in a vehicle wash

Abstract

A grate apparatus for covering a pit defined in a floor of a vehicle wash facility includes a plurality of rigid rung pieces having a first end, a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface. The rigid rung pieces are secured in generally parallel and spaced apart fashion by a plurality of flexible strap members. The flexible strap members are secured to each of the rung pieces by a plurality of fasteners. The grate apparatus is moveable between an unwound position where the first end of each of the plurality of rigid rung pieces rests on one of a pair of spaced apart rails located adjacent the pit and the second end of each of the plurality of rung pieces rests on the other of the pair of spaced apart rails and a wound position wherein the plurality of rung pieces and the plurality of flexible straps are oriented in generally coiled position around a centerline.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle wash, comprising:
 a pit defined by a floor and including a conveyor system for moving a vehicle through the vehicle wash; 
 a pair of tracks disposed in spaced relationship with one another along a length of the pit; 
 a grate apparatus including a plurality of rails constructed of a metal material, each of the plurality of rails having a first end configured to overlie one of the pair of tracks and a second end configured to overlie the other of the pair of tracks; 
 the plurality of rails having an upper surface oriented to face away from the pit when the pit is covered and a lower surface oriented to face into the pit when the pit is covered; 
 the plurality of rails fixedly secured to one other in generally parallel spaced apart relationship to form a unitary structure having a front rail, a back rails rail and a plurality of intermediate rails; 
 the grate apparatus further including a plurality of elongated strap portions secured to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface of each of the plurality of rails; 
 wherein the plurality of strap portions are generally flexible such that the unitary structure can be moved from a generally unwound position where the plurality of rails are oriented generally parallel to ground to a wound position where the plurality of rails and the plurality of strap portions are coiled into a generally cylindrical shape; and 
 wherein the plurality of elongated strap portions includes at least one strap secured to the upper surface of each of the plurality of rails and at least one strap secured to the lower surface of each of the plurality of rails. 
 
     
     
       2. The grate apparatus vehicle wash of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of straps strap portions are formed of a material selected from at least one of the following: urethane, neoprene, or elastic. 
     
     
       3. The grate apparatus supporting structure of claim  1  14, wherein the plurality of elongate straps include at least one strap secured to the upper surface of each of the plurality of rails and at least one strap secured to the lower surface of each of the plurality of rails. 
     
     
       4. The grate apparatus vehicle wash of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rails are formed with a generally hollow interior. 
     
     
       5. A method of covering and exposing a pit disposed in a floor of a vehicle wash facility, the pit including a pair of opposing tracks each secured adjacent a side of the pit, the method comprising:
 providing a grate assembly including:   a plurality of rung pieces extending between a first end and a second end, and having an upper surface and a lower surface between the first end and the second end;   a plurality of flexible straps fixedly securing the plurality of rung pieces into a unitary structure wherein the plurality of rung pieces are oriented in a generally parallel spaced apart relationship having a front rung piece, a back rung piece and a plurality of intermediate rung pieces;   disposing the grate assembly over the pit such that the first end of each of the plurality of rung pieces engages one of the pair of spaced apart tracks and the second end of each of the plurality of rung pieces engages the other of the pair of spaced apart tracks;   winding the grate assembly to a coiled position to expose the pit by rolling the rung pieces over one another in a direction from the front rung piece toward the back rung piece such that the grate assembly has a centerline that is oriented generally parallel to the floor of the vehicle wash facility;   pivoting the coiled grate assembly to a position adjacent the pit such that the first ends of the plurality of rung pieces engage the floor and the centerline of the coiled grate assembly is oriented generally perpendicular to the floor, and such that each of the rails extend generally perpendicularly to the floor between the first end and the second and in generally parallel relationship with the centerline.   
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: A method of covering and exposing a pit disposed in a floor of a facility, the pit including a pair of opposing support areas each secured adjacent a side of the pit, the method comprising:
 providing a grate assembly including: 
 a plurality of rung pieces extending between a first end and a second end, and having an upper surface and a lower surface between the first end and the second end; 
 a plurality of flexible straps fixedly securing the plurality of rung pieces into a unitary structure wherein the plurality of rung pieces are oriented in a generally parallel spaced apart relationship having a front rung piece, a back rung piece and a plurality of intermediate rung pieces; 
 disposing the grate assembly over the pit such that the first end of each of the plurality of rung pieces engages one of the pair of spaced apart support areas and the second end of each of the plurality of rung pieces engages the other of the pair of spaced apart support areas; 
 winding the grate assembly to a coiled position to expose the pit by rolling the rung pieces over one another in a direction from the front rung piece toward the back rung piece such that the grate assembly has a centerline that is oriented generally parallel to the floor of the facility; 
 pivoting the coiled grate assembly to a position adjacent the pit such that the first ends of the plurality of rung pieces engage the floor and the centerline of the coiled grate assembly is oriented generally perpendicular to the floor; and such that each of the rails extend generally perpendicularly to the floor between the first end and the second and in generally parallel relationship with the centerline;  
 unwinding the coiled grate assembly to cover the pit; and 
 locking the front rail to at least one of the pair of parallel spaced apart tracks. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of claim  1  6, further comprising:
 providing a plurality of grate assemblies to substantially cover the length of the pit such that the front rail of a first grate assembly is disposed adjacent a rear rail of a second grate assembly. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of claim  5  6, further comprising:
 winding up each of the plurality of grate assemblies to expose wherein winding the grate assembly to a coiled position to expose the pit comprises exposing an the entire length of the pit. 
 
     
     
       9. A grate apparatus for covering a channel defined by a floor of a car wash including a pair of tracks disposed in spaced and parallel relationship with one another along the channel comprising;
 a plurality of rails of a metal material and having a square shaped cross-section and extending in spaced and parallel relationship with one another between a first end and a second end, 
 each of said rails defining an outer wall and a hollow extending therethrough between said first end and said second end, 
 said outer wall having a thickness of 0.009 inches, 
 said plurality of rails including a front rail and a back rail and a plurality of intermediate rails between said front rail and said back rail, 
 said front rail defining a front length between said first end and said second end of said front rail, 
 said intermediate rails defining an intermediate length between said first end and said second end of said intermediate rails, 
 said back rail defining a back length between said first end and said second end of said back rail, 
 said back length and intermediate length being equal to one another for allowing said tracks to fit between said tracks, 
 said front length being less than said intermediate and back lengths, 
 and characterized by, 
 at least one strap of flexible material extending perpendicularly to and engaging each of said rails to connect said rails and to maintain said rails in spaced and parallel relationship with one another and to allow said rails to be rolled over one another into a coiled position, 
 said flexible material being urethane, 
 said strap including a pair of straps extending in spaced and parallel relationship with one another and spaced from said first and second ends of said rails, 
 a plurality of fasteners each connecting one of said rails and one of said straps, said fasteners being a plurality of screws each threadedly extending through one of said rails and one of said straps to connect said rails and straps, 
 a cap of organic polymer material disposed about said first and second ends of each of said intermediate and back rails for preventing said first and second ends from being damaged and for preventing debris from entering said hollows of said rails, 
 a connector connected with said front rail for locking said front rail to one of the tracks, said connector including a pair of legs pivotally connected with said front rail extending in spaced and parallel relationship with one another for connecting with one of said tracks to lock said front rail to said track. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for closing and opening a channel in a floor of a car wash including a pair of tracks disposed in spaced and parallel relationship with one another along the channel using a plurality of rails including a front rail and a back rail and each of the rails extending between a first end and a second end in spaced and parallel relationship with one another, said method comprising the steps of;
 disposing the plurality of rails linearly along and over the channel in spaced and parallel relationship with one another to close the channel, 
 and characterized by, 
 said step of disposing the plurality of rails linearly along and over the channel in spaced and parallel relationship with one another to close the channel includes unrolling the plurality of rails over the channel from the back rail to the front rail into an uncoiled position, 
 locking the front rail to one of the tracks, 
 unlocking the front rail from the track, 
 rolling the plurality of rails over one another from the front rail toward the back rail into a coiled position to open the channel, 
 placing the plurality of rails on the floor in the coiled position with the first end of the rails engaging the floor, and with each of the rails extend generally perpendicularly to the floor between the first end and the second end. 
 
     
     
       11. The vehicle wash of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rails are generally rectangular in shape.  
     
     
       12. The vehicle wash of claim 1, wherein the plurality of strap portions comprises at least two elongate straps connected to the upper surface of each of the rails, with one elongate strap located adjacent the first end of each of the rails and another elongate strap located adjacent the second end of each of the rails.  
     
     
       13. The vehicle wash of claim 1, further comprising:
 a plurality of fasteners for connecting the plurality of strap portions to the each of the front rail, the back rail and a plurality of intermediate rails.    
     
     
       14. A supporting structure inset in a floor, comprising:
 a pit defined by the floor;   a pair of tracks disposed in spaced relationship with one another along a length of the pit;   a grate apparatus including a plurality of rails constructed of a metal material, each of the plurality of rails having a first end configured to overlie one of the pair of tracks and a second end configured to overlie the other of the pair of tracks;   the plurality of rails having an upper surface oriented to face away from the pit when the pit is covered and a lower surface oriented to face into the pit when the pit is covered;   the plurality of rails fixedly secured to one other in generally parallel spaced apart relationship to form a unitary structure having a front rail, a back rail and a plurality of intermediate rails;   the grate apparatus further including a plurality of elongate straps secured to at least one of the upper surface or the lower surface of each of the plurality of rails;   wherein the plurality of elongate straps are generally flexible such that the unitary structure can be moved from a generally unwound position where the plurality of rails are oriented generally parallel to ground to a wound position where the plurality of rails and the plurality of elongate straps are coiled into a generally cylindrical shape; and   wherein the plurality of elongate straps are secured to an upper surface of each of the rails and a lower surface of each of the rails.    
     
     
       15. A grate apparatus for covering a channel defined by a floor including a pair of tracks disposed in spaced and parallel relationship with one another along the channel comprising:
 a plurality of rails of and extending in spaced and generally parallel relationship with one another between a first end and a second end,   said plurality of rails including a front rail and a back rail and a plurality of intermediate rails between said front rail and said back rail,   said front rail defining a front length between said first end and said second end of said front rail,   said intermediate rails defining an intermediate length between said first end and said second end of said intermediate rails,   said back rail defining a back length between said first end and said second end of said back rail,   at least one strap of flexible material extending perpendicularly to and engaging each of said rails to connect said rails and to maintain said rails in spaced and parallel relationship with one another and to allow said rails to be rolled over one another into a coiled position, and   a plurality of fasteners each connecting one of said rails and said at least one strap, said fasteners being a plurality of screws each threadedly extending through one of said rails and said at least one strap to connect said rails and said at least one strap;   wherein said back length of the rear rail is equal to the intermediate length of the plurality of intermediate rails; and   wherein said front length is less than said intermediate and back lengths.    
     
     
       16. The grate apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of rails are formed of a metal material.  
     
     
       17. The grate apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of rails are generally hollow between the first end and the second end.  
     
     
       18. The grate apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of rails have a generally square shaped cross-section.  
     
     
       19. The grate apparatus of claim 15 wherein said outer wall of the plurality of rails have a thickness of 0.009 inches.  
     
     
       20. The grate apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one strap is constructed of a material selected from one of urethane, neoprene or elastic.  
     
     
       21. The grate apparatus of claim 15, wherein said at least one strap includes a pair of straps extending in spaced and parallel relationship with one another and spaced from said first and second ends of said rails; and
 wherein the pair of straps contact an upper surface of each of the rails.    
     
     
       22. A grate apparatus for covering a channel defined by a floor including a pair of tracks disposed in spaced and parallel relationship with one another along the channel comprising:
 a plurality of rails of and extending in spaced and generally parallel relationship with one another between a first end and a second end,   said plurality of rails including a front rail and a back rail and a plurality of intermediate rails between said front rail and said back rail,   said front rail defining a front length between said first end and said second end of said front rail,   said intermediate rails defining an intermediate length between said first end and said second end of said intermediate rails,   said back rail defining a back length between said first end and said second end of said back rail,   at least one strap of flexible material extending perpendicularly to and engaging each of said rails to connect said rails and to maintain said rails in spaced and parallel relationship with one another and to allow said rails to be rolled over one another into a coiled position, and   a plurality of fasteners each connecting one of said rails and said at least one strap, said fasteners being a plurality of screws each threadedly extending through one of said rails and said at least one strap to connect said rails and said at least one strap; and   a cap of organic polymer material disposed about said first and second ends of each of said intermediate and back rails for preventing said first and second ends from being damaged and for preventing debris from entering said hollows of said rails.    
     
     
       23. A grate apparatus for covering a channel defined by a floor including a pair of tracks disposed in spaced and parallel relationship with one another along the channel comprising:
 a plurality of rails of and extending in spaced and generally parallel relationship with one another between a first end and a second end,   said plurality of rails including a front rail and a back rail and a plurality of intermediate rails between said front rail and said back rail,   said front rail defining a front length between said first end and said second end of said front rail,   said intermediate rails defining an intermediate length between said first end and said second end of said intermediate rails,   said back rail defining a back length between said first end and said second end of said back rail,   at least one strap of flexible material extending perpendicularly to and engaging each of said rails to connect said rails and to maintain said rails in spaced and parallel relationship with one another and to allow said rails to be rolled over one another into a coiled position, and   a plurality of fasteners each connecting one of said rails and said at least one strap, said fasteners being a plurality of screws each threadedly extending through one of said rails and said at least one strap to connect said rails and said at least one strap; and   a connector connected with said front rail for locking said front rail to one of the tracks.    
     
     
       24. The grate apparatus of claim 23 wherein said connector includes a pair of legs pivotally connected with said front rail extending in spaced and parallel relationship with one another for connecting with one of said tracks to lock said front rail to said track.