EP1914355A1

EP1914355A1 - Method and device for positioning and fixing a drain channel

Info

Publication number: EP1914355A1
Application number: EP07020023A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan-Erik Persson
Original assignee: Purus AB
Current assignee: Purus AB
Priority date: 2006-10-17
Filing date: 2007-10-12
Publication date: 2008-04-23
Also published as: SE0602178L; NO20075151L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for making it possible, during the construction of a floor structure (9) in a building, for a drain channel (2) which is disposed close to at least one wall (1) in a space in the building and which is to be built into the floor structure to be held in position during said construction. To minimise the risk of the drain channel (2) being dislodged from its intended position before the construction of the floor structure (9) is completed, the drain channel is installed, before the construction of the floor structure, close to said wall (1) with at least the upper side of the drain channel level or substantially level with the future upper side of the floor structure, and the drain channel in this position is fixed to the wall. To this end, the device according to the invention comprises at least one support means (11) for allowing or cooperating with the installing of the drain channel (2) in the manner indicated above and at least one fixing means (10) for fixing the drain channel in the manner indicated above.

Description

Background to the invention

The present invention relates to a method and a device for making it possible, during the construction of a floor structure in a building, for a drain channel which is disposed close to at least one wall in a space in the building and which is to be built into the floor structure to be held in position during said construction.
The construction in buildings of floor structures into which drain channels are to be built involves great risk that during the construction of the floor structure the drain channel may be dislodged from its intended position, with consequent risk of impairing its function and, in the worst case, causing leakage from the drain channel and connections thereto. Subsequent rectification when the floor structure has been completed is not possible without extensive and time-consuming specific measures.

Brief summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to present a method and a device which minimise the risk of the drain channel being dislodged from its intended position before the construction of the floor structure is completed.
This object is achieved according to the invention by a method characterised in that, before the construction of the floor structure, the drain channel is installed close to said wall with at least the upper side of the drain channel level or substantially level with the future upper side of the floor structure, and that the drain channel in this position is fixed to the wall. The device according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises at least one support means connected to one or more elements forming part of the floor structure in order, before the construction of the floor structure, to allow or cooperate with the installing of the drain channel close to said wall with at least the upper side of the drain channel level or substantially level with the future upper side of the floor structure, and at least one fixing means connected to the drain channel in order, with the drain channel in said level or substantially level position, to fix the drain channel to the wall.
The present invention thus makes it possible for the drain channel to be installed in a level or substantially level position before it is fixed to the wall. This is to ensure that the support means is/are free from the wall. Thereafter, the present invention makes it possible for the drain channel in this level or substantially level position to be fixed to the wall by fixing means which, in the process of fixing, are connected to the drain channel.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art who studies the attached drawings and the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing and other measures and features characterising the invention and its advantages are described below in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a drain channel with a device according to the invention in a first embodiment for a floor structure made of concrete;
Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the drain channel according to Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a drain channel with a device according to the invention in a second embodiment for a floor structure made of wood; and
Fig. 4 is a cross-section through the drain channel and the device according to the invention according to Fig. 3.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The drawings thus illustrate two different embodiments of a device for making it possible, during the construction of a floor structure in a building, for a drain channel 2 which is disposed close to at least one wall 1 in a space in the building and which is to be built into the floor structure to be held in position during said construction.
The drain channel 2 comprises in the embodiments depicted a channel-shaped element 3 with a channel portion 3a and, running from the latter, a horizontal fastening flange 3b for a clamping frame 4 which is substantially L-shaped and fitted in such a way that its one limb 4a runs down into the channel portion 3a, while its other limb 4b is fastened to the fastening flange 3b, preferably by screws 5. A sealing layer 6 is fastened between said other limb 4b of the clamping frame 4 and the fastening flange 3b of the channel-shaped element 3 after the floor structure has been constructed. An outlet 7a for a drain arrangement 7 for connecting to an undepicted drain system is disposed in the bottom of the channel portion 3a. The bottom of the channel portion 3a preferably slopes towards the outlet 7a. After the construction of the floor structure, a grating element 8 comprising a mounting frame 8a and a grating plate 8b is installed on top of the clamping frame 4.
According to the invention, before the construction of the floor structure, the drain channel 2 is installed close to the wall 1 in the space with at least the upper side of the drain channel, i.e. in the embodiment depicted preferably the upper side of the clamping frame 4, level or substantially level with the future upper side of the floor structure. This is effected by using at least one support means or with the cooperation of at least one support means.
In addition, the drain channel 2 is fixed in an indicated position to the wall 1. The fixing, preferably along at least one long side of the drain channel 2, involves using at least one fixing means connected to the drain channel 2 and the wall 1.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the floor structure which is to be constructed is a concrete floor structure 9. The fixing means, which here comprises a substantially L-shaped angle bracket 10, is connected detachably to portions of the drain channel 2 which are not cast into the concrete, preferably upper portions of the drain channel and most advantageously, as in the embodiment depicted, to the clamping frame 4 by being screwed firmly on top of the latter. To this end, the angle bracket 10 has a first limb 10a, while a second limb 10b of it is detachably connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the wall 1 in the space. The fixing means 10 is connected detachably to the drain channel 2 so that the latter can when necessary be moved towards and away from the wall 1, and is connected detachably to said wall so that it can also be adjusted as necessary in the height direction. Screw holes 10c and 10d provided respectively in the two limbs 10a,10b of the angle bracket 10 for detachable connection to the drain channel 2, e.g. to the clamping frame 4 and the wall 1 respectively, have with advantage the form of long holes. In the preferred embodiment depicted, for optimum connection, the first limb 10a of the angle bracket 10 runs horizontally and the second limb 10b runs naturally vertically. In addition, for better functioning, the two limbs 10a,10b of the angle bracket 10 are connected to one another by a reinforcing portion 10e running diagonally in the embodiment depicted. In the embodiment depicted with the drain channel 2 disposed with one long side along the wall 1 and fixing means in the form of the angle bracket 10, two or more such fixing means are with advantage used and are disposed at even spacing in the longitudinal direction of the drain channel. The number of fixing means 10 may also vary depending on the length of the drain channel 2.
The casting of the concrete floor structure 9 takes place after the positioning and fixing of the drain channel 2.
After completion of casting, the drain channel 2 is detached from its fixing to the wall 1. This is done by the respective fixing means being detached from its readily accessible connection to the drain channel 2 and the wall 1, which in the embodiment depicted means the respective angle bracket 10 being unscrewed and removed.
The casting of the concrete floor structure involves with advantage the use of support means 11 of a conventional type anchored under the drain channel 2 in formwork for the concrete floor structure (see Fig. 1).
Figs. 3 and 4 depict a drain channel 2 positioned and fixed for the construction of a wooden floor structure 12. The drain channel 2 is constructed in the same way as described above.
Fixing in this case is by at least one fixing means 13 connected to the drain channel 2 on the side of the latter which faces towards the wall 1, i.e. preferably the aforesaid one long side. The fixing means 13 comprises a first element 14 connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to said side of the drain channel 2, and a second element 15 connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the wall 1 and to elements 16 forming part of the wooden floor structure 12. Said first and second elements 14,15 cooperate with one another in a suitable way, e.g. the drain channel 2 and the first element 14 of the fixing means 13 connected to it may form between them a snap-in recess 17 which during the fixing of the drain channel to the wall 1 is installed in such a way that a portion 15aa of the second element 15 of the fixing means snaps into said snap-in recess. In the embodiment depicted, in which the second element of the fixing means 13 takes the form of a substantially L-shaped angle section 15, said portion 15aa constitutes a substantially V-shaped lateral bend formed on the limb 15a of the angle section in the longitudinal direction of the latter. The limb 15a with the substantially V-shaped lateral bend 15aa is connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the wall 1, while the other limb 15b of the channel section 15 is connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to elements 16 forming part of the wooden floor structure 12. Accordingly, the section limb 15a with the lateral bend 15aa runs vertically, while the other section limb 15b runs with advantage horizontally. The first element of the fixing means 13 takes the form of at least one substantially L-shaped angle bracket 14 connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the drain channel (to the latter's channel-shaped element 3 and especially to the horizontal fastening flange 3b of the channel-shaped element) and having one limb 14a, running preferably horizontally, with an end portion 14aa somewhat angled in order, in conjunction with an angled end portion 3ba of the fastening flange 3b on the drain channel (on the latter's channel-shaped element 3), to form said snap-in recess 17. The number of angle brackets 14 may vary depending on their length and the length of the drain channel 2. Thus the fixing means itself here constitutes a detachable connection of the drain channel to the wall, but is not here intended to be removed, nor in any case to be accessible after the wooden floor structure has been constructed, so the connection has to be maintained.
A further reason for the fixing means 13 not being removed is that it also serves to hold the drain channel 2 level or substantially level in the indicated position. This is achieved in cooperation with at least one support means 18 connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the opposite side of the drain channel 2 from the fixing means 13 and to elements 19 forming part of the wooden floor structure 12. In the embodiment depicted, said support means takes the form of a metal section 18 connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the drain channel 2 (to the fastening flange 3b pertaining to the channel-shaped element 3 of the drain channel) and to said elements 19 forming part of the wooden floor structure 12.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the wooden floor structure 12 may also be provided with floor heating, e.g. floor heating coils 20 for electrical heating. The concrete floor structure 9 may likewise be provided with floor heating if so desired.
After the construction of the floor structure 9/12 and the removal of any fixing means 10, a floor covering, e.g. clinkers 21, is laid on the floor structure. The floor covering 21 is fixed in a suitable manner to the floor structure 9/12, e.g. by a fastening compound 22 applied in a uniform layer over the floor structure.
At the drain channel 2, the fastening compound 22 is applied on top of the clamping frame 4, and the mounting frame 8a of the grating element 8 is placed on top of the fastening compound. The mounting frame takes the form of a substantially L-shaped section 8a with one limb 8aa applied horizontally on top of the fastening compound 22, and the other limb 8ab running vertically down into the channel-shaped element 3. The mounting frame 8a is with advantage also adjustable in the height direction for adaptation to the floor covering 21. The grating plate 8b is applied detachably on the horizontal limb 8aa of the mounting frame 8a. Thereafter the drain channel is ready for use.
It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified within the scopes of the claims set out below without departing from the idea and object of the invention. Thus the components of the fixing means and support means described above may vary both in shape and size and in number. The location of the fixing means and support means may also vary, both mutually and relative to the drain channel and to the wall to which the drain channel is fixed. The drain channel may of course be fixed to more than one wall and it is also possible within the scope of the invention for the drain channel to be fixed to a wall by one of the short sides of the drain channel.

Claims

A method for making it possible, during the construction of a floor structure (9/12) in a building, for a drain channel (2) which is disposed close to at least one wall (1) in a space in the building and which is to be built into the floor structure to be held in position during said construction,
characterised in
that, before the construction of the floor structure (9/12), the drain channel (2) is installed close to said wall (1) with at least the upper side of the drain channel level or substantially level with the future upper side of the floor structure, and
that the drain channel (2) in this position is fixed to the wall (1).
A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the drain channel (2) is fixed to said wall (1) by at least one fixing means (10/13) connected to the drain channel and to the wall.
A method according to claim 2, the floor structure to be constructed being a concrete floor structure (9), characterised in that the respective fixing means (10) is connected detachably to portions of the drain channel (2) which are not cast into the concrete.
A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the respective fixing means (10) is connected detachably to upper portions of the drain channel (2).
A method according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the respective fixing means (10) is connected detachably to the drain channel (2) by being firmly screwed on top of a clamping frame (4) pertaining thereto for firm clamping of a sealing layer (6) between said clamping frame and a channel-shaped element (3) of the drain channel.
A method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterised in that the respective fixing means (10) is connected detachably to the drain channel (2) in such a way that the latter can be moved as necessary towards and away from said wall (1).
A method according to any one of claims 3-6, characterised in that the respective fixing means (10) is connected detachably to said wall (1) by being firmly screwed to the wall.
A method according to any one of claims 3-7, characterised in that the respective fixing means (10) is connected detachably to said wall (1) in such a way that it can be adjusted as necessary in the height direction.
A method according to any one of the foregoing claims, the floor structure to be constructed being a concrete floor structure (9), characterised in that the drain channel (2) is detached from its fixing to said wall (1) after the casting of the concrete floor structure (9).
A method according to claim 9, characterised in that the drain channel (2) is detached from its fixing to said wall (1) by the respective fixing means (10) being detached from its connection to the drain channel and to the wall, followed by removal of the fixing means.
A method according to any one of claims 3-10, characterised in that the drain channel (2) is installed level or substantially level by using at least one support means (11) anchored under the drain channel in formwork for the concrete floor structure (9).
A method according to claim 2, the floor structure to be constructed being a wooden floor structure (12), characterised in that the respective fixing means (13) is connected to the side of the drain channel (2) which faces towards said wall (1).
A method according to claim 12, characterised in that the respective fixing means (13) is connected to the drain channel (2) by a first element (14) of it being fastened, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the drain channel.
A method according to claim 13, characterised in that the respective fixing means (13) is connected to said wall (1) by a second element (15) of it being firmly screwed to the wall and to elements (16) forming part of the wooden floor structure (12).
A method according to claim 14, characterised in that the drain channel (2) is fixed to the wall (1) by said first and second elements (14,15) being caused to cooperate with one another.
A method according to claim 15, characterised in that the drain channel (2) is fixed to said wall (1) by a snap-in recess (17), formed between the drain channel and the first element (14) fastened to it of the respective fixing means, being installed in such a way that a portion (15aa) of said second element (15) of the respective fixing means (13) snaps into said snap-in recess.
A method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterised in that the drain channel (2) is installed level or substantially level by using said fixing means (13) and at least one support means (18) which is connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the opposite side of the drain channel from said fixing means and to elements (19) forming part of the wooden floor structure (12).
A device for implementing the method for making it possible, during the construction of a floor structure (9/12) in a building, for a drain channel (2) which is disposed close to at least one wall (1) in a space in the building and which is to be built into the floor structure to be held in position during said construction,
characterised by
at least one support means (11/18) connected to one or more elements (19) forming part of the floor structure (9/12) in order, before the construction of the floor structure, to allow or cooperate with the installing of the drain channel (2) close to said wall (1) with at least the upper side of the drain channel level or substantially level with the future upper side of the floor structure, and
at least one fixing means (10/13) connected to the drain channel (2) in order, with the drain channel in said level or substantially level position, to fix the drain channel to the wall (1).
A device according to claim 18, the floor structure to be constructed being a concrete floor structure (9), characterised in that the respective fixing means comprises a substantially L-shaped angle bracket (10) with a first limb (10a) which is detachably connected to portions of the drain channel (2) which are not cast into the concrete, and a second limb (10b) detachably connected to said wall (1).
A device according to claim 19, characterised in that the first limb (10a) of the angle bracket (10) is detachably connected to upper portions of the drain channel (2).
A device according to claim 19, characterised in that the first limb (10a) of the angle bracket (10) is detachably connected, preferably being firmly screwed, to a clamping frame (4) pertaining to the drain channel (2) for clamping a sealing layer (6) firmly between said clamping frame and a channel-shaped element (3) of the drain channel.
A device according to any one of claims 19-21, characterised in that the two limbs (10a, 10b) of the angle bracket (10) are provided with screw holes (10c and 10d respectively).
A device according to claim 22, characterised in that the screw holes (10c, 10d) in the two limbs (10a, 10b) of the angle bracket (10) take the form of long holes.
A device according to any one of claims 19-23, characterised in that the two limbs (10a, 10b) of the angle bracket (10) are connected to one another by a reinforcing portion (10e).
A device according to any one of claims 19-24, characterised in that two or more angle brackets (10) are disposed at even spacing in the longitudinal direction of the drain channel (2) and that the drain channel (2) is disposed with one long side facing towards said wall (1).
A device according to claim 18, the floor structure to be constructed being a wooden floor structure (12), characterised in that the respective fixing means (13) comprises a first element (14) connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the side of the drain channel (2) which faces towards said wall (1), and a second element (15) connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to said wall and to elements (16) forming part of the wooden floor structure (12), and that said first and second elements (14,15) cooperate with one another.
A device according to claim 26, characterised in that the drain channel (2) and the first element (14) connected to it of the respective fixing means (13) form between them a snap-in recess (17) which during the fixing of the drain channel to said wall (1) is installed in such a way that a portion (15aa) of the second element (15) of the fixing means snaps into said snap-in recess.
A device according to claim 27, characterised in that the second element of the respective fixing means (13) takes the form of a substantially L-shaped angle section (15) with a portion for snapping into said snap-in recess (17) in the form of a substantially V-shaped lateral bend (15aa) formed on one limb (15a) of the section in the longitudinal direction of the section.
A device according to claim 28, characterised in that the section limb (15a) with said substantially V-shaped lateral bend (15aa) is connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to said wall (1), while the other limb (15b) of the angle section (15) is connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to elements (16) forming part of the wooden floor structure (12).
A device according to any one of claims 27-29, characterised in that the first element of the respective fixing means (13) takes the form of at least one substantially L-shaped angle bracket (14) connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the drain channel (2) and having one of its limbs (14a) with an end portion (14aa) somewhat angled in order, in conjunction with an angled end portion (3ba) of a fastening flange (3b) on the drain channel, to form said snap-in recess (17).
A device according to any one of claims 26-30, characterised in that said support means takes the form of a section (18) connected, preferably by being firmly screwed, to the opposite side of the drain channel (2) from said fixing means (13) and to elements (19) forming part of the wooden floor structure (12).