WO-2026096312-A1 - EMERGENCY SAFETY SHOWER AND FLOOR GRATE SYSTEM

Abstract

An emergency shower and flooring system includes a railing system and a grate system. The railing system includes a first rail and a second rail extending laterally from a first side to second side of the emergency shower. The grate system includes a plurality of grates extending from the first rail to the second rail. The grates are arranged side-by-side along a length of the railing system. Each grate includes a floor surface, a first sidewall extending downward from a first side edge of the floor surface, and a second sidewall extending downward from a second side edge of the floor surface. The first and second sidewalls each include a front tab at their respective front edges and a rear tab at their respective rear edges. Each tab is configured to interfit with a respective slot of a plurality of slots formed in the first and second rails.

Inventors

• PERRIN, TIMOTHY, E.
• YANIAK, David, J.

Assignees

• Bradley Company, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251024

Priority Date

20241031

Claims (20)

1. 1. An emergency shower flooring system comprising: a railing system including a first rail and a second rail extending laterally from a first side of an emergency shower to second side of the emergency shower; a grate system including a plurality of grates extending from the first rail to the second rail, the plurality of grates being arranged side-by-side along a length of the railing system, each grate including: a floor surface having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge a first sidewall extending downward from the first side edge of the floor surface, the first sidewall having a front edge and a rear edge; a second sidewall extending downward from the second side edge of the floor surface, the second sidewall having a front edge and a rear edge; the first and second sidewalls each including a front tab at their respective front edges and a rear tab at their respective rear edges, each tab configured to interfit with a respective slot of a plurality of slots disposed along a length of the first and second rails.
2. 2. The emergency shower flooring system of claim 1, wherein adjacent grates of the grate system are spaced apart from each to provide a fluid access region between the adjacent grates.
3. 3. The emergency shower flooring system of claim 1, wherein the first and second rails include a horizontal support surface configured to support the plurality of grates of the grate system.
4. 4. The emergency shower flooring system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of slots are formed in the support surface of the first and second rails.
5. 5. The emergency shower flooring system of claim 1, wherein the first and second rails include a bottom portion in contact with a floor of the emergency shower. Page 12 of 16
6. 6. The emergency shower flooring system of claim 1, wherein the first and second rails include openings formed in an upright portion thereof, the openings configured to allow water to flow through the upright portion of the first and second rails.
7. 7. The emergency shower flooring system of claim 1, wherein the grates include a rounded edge at at least one of the front edge and the rear edge of the floor surface thereof.
8. 8. The emergency shower flooring system of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the grate system vertically aligns with a threshold of the emergency shower.
9. 9. A method of installing a flooring system into an emergency safety shower, the method comprising: installing a plurality of rails on a floor of the emergency safety shower, each rail including a bottom portion in contact with the floor and a support surface; installing a grate system on the support surfaces of the plurality of rails, the grate system including a plurality of grates extending between the plurality of rails; spacing adjacent grates of the grate system from each other to provide a space between adjacent grates for water to flow through; securing the plurality of grates to the plurality of rails via a connection system including a plurality of tabs and slots associated with the plurality of grates and rails.
10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein securing the plurality of grates to the plurality of rails includes inserting the plurality of tabs extending from a bottom portion of each of the grates into corresponding slots of the plurality of slots formed in the support surface of each of the rails.
11. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein securing the plurality of grates to the plurality of rails includes aligning a top surface of the plurality of grates with a threshold of the emergency safety shower. Page 13 of 16
12. 12. An enclosed emergency safety shower comprising: a plurality of walls forming a safety shower enclosure; a floor near a bottom edges of the walls; at least two struts forming a flooring system above the floor, the flooring system including a grate system having at least two generally U-shaped stainless steel channels; a plurality of tabs locating the channels on the struts; a plurality of slots locating the channels on the struts; and a drain located beneath the grate system.
13. 13. The enclosed emergency safety shower of claim 12, further comprising spaces between the channels to provide high drainage capacity and slip resistance.
14. 14. The enclosed emergency safety shower of claim 12, further comprising a relatively smooth and narrow surface on at least one channel to facilitate easy cleaning and efficient water shed.
15. 15. The enclosed emergency safety shower of claim 12, wherein the at least two channels are installed individually into the grate system.
16. 16. The enclosed emergency safety shower of claim 12, further comprising a top channel surface and a bottom channel portion opposite the top channel surface, the tabs protruding from the bottom channel portion.
17. 17. The enclosed emergency safety shower of claim 16, wherein the slots are formed in the struts and receive the tabs protruding from the bottom channel portion.
18. 18. The enclosed emergency safety shower of claim 12, further comprising a connection system for interconnecting the tabs and slots to set the channels in place in the struts. Page 14 of 16
19. 19. The enclosed emergency safety shower of claim 12, further comprising a threshold located at a bottom of the enclosure near the flooring system.
20. 20. The enclosed emergency safety shower of claim 12, further comprising drainage openings formed in the struts. Page 15 of 16

Description

PCT Application EMERGENCY SAFETY SHOWER AND FLOOR GRATE SYSTEM Inventors: Timothy E. Perrin David J. Yaniak Attorneys for Applicant: Boyle Fredrickson, S.C. 840 North Plankinton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53203 Telephone: (414) 225-9755 Facsimile: (414) 225-9753 Email: docketing @ boylefred.com Attorney Docket No.: 4965.072 EMERGENCY SAFETY SHOWER AND FLOOR GRATE SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/714,456, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to floor grate system for an emergency safety shower. More specifically, the present invention relates to modular flooring system for an emergency safety shower. 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0003] It is known in the art to provide an enclosed emergency safety shower for use in a manufacturing facility that requires emergency washing to remove particle and contaminants from a user. Known emergency safety showers include a floor drain system that is grated to allow for water to pass through the grate upon which a user is standing. However, these floor grate and drain systems are single formed, molded, or casted pieces with extreme weight that make installation and maintenance difficult. [0004] As such, there is a need in the art for a modular flooring system for an emergency safety shower that includes individually removable grates that can be easily installed, maintained, and replaced without significant exertion. There is further need for a modular flooring system arranged to maximize flow of water through the flooring system and to the drain of the safety shower. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention is directed to a floor grate system for an emergency safety shower. [0006] According to an embodiment of the invention, an emergency shower flooring system includes a railing system and a grate system. The railing system includes a first rail and a second rail extending laterally from a first side of an emergency shower to second side of the emergency shower. The grate system includes a plurality of grates extending from the first rail to the second rail. The grates are arranged side-by-side along a length of the railing system. Each grate includes a floor surface having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge. Each grate further includes a first sidewall extending downward from the first side edge of the floor surface and a second sidewall extending downward from the second side edge of the floor surface. The first and second sidewalls each include a front tab at their respective front edges and a rear tab at their respective rear edges. Each tab is configured to interfit with a respective slot of a plurality of slots disposed along a length of the first and second rails. [0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, adjacent grates of the grate system are spaced apart from each to provide a fluid access region between the adjacent grates. Further, the grates include a rounded edge at the front edge and/or the rear edge of the floor surface thereof. A top surface of the grate system may vertically align with a threshold of the emergency shower. [0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the first and second rails include a horizontal support surface configured to support the plurality of grates of the grate system. The plurality of slots are formed in the support surface of the first and second rails. Further, the first and second rails include a bottom portion in contact with a floor of the emergency shower. The first and second rails may also include an upright portion extending between the horizontal support surface and the bottom portion. Openings may be formed in the upright portion of the first and second rails. The openings are configured to allow water to flow through the upright portion of the first and second rails. [0009] According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of installing a flooring system into an emergency safety shower includes installing a plurality of rails on a floor of the emergency safety shower. Each rail includes a bottom portion in contact with the floor and a support surface. The method further includes installing a grate system on the support surfaces of the plurality of rails. The grate system includes a plurality of grates extending between the plurality of rails. Finally, the method also includes spacing adjacent grates of the grate system from each other to provide a space between adjacent grates for water to flow through and securing the plurality of grates to the plurality of rails via a connection system. The connection system includes a plurality of tabs and slots associated with the plurality of grates and rails. [0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, securing the plurality of grates to the pluralit