GB2200184A

GB2200184A - Drainpipe

Info

Publication number: GB2200184A
Application number: GB08701175A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Edward Layton
Original assignee: EGA Ltd
Current assignee: EGA Ltd
Priority date: 1987-01-20
Filing date: 1987-01-20
Publication date: 1988-07-27
Also published as: GB8701175D0

Abstract

A drainpipe comprising a channel section body (2) and a snap-fitting cover (3) with apertures in the body to receive fastening means (9) to secure the body to a wall (1). Grommets (10) can be provided in the apertures. Snap-fitting may be obtained by projections (5). The radius of the edge (7) of the cover (3) may be slightly less than that of the edge (7) of the body (2) to enhance grip of the cover. The cover (3) is removable so that leaves and other debris can be removed from the pipe. <IMAGE>

Description

DRAINPIPE FOR RAINNATER This invention relates to a drainpipe for rainwater.

Conventional drainpipes, sometimes called downpipes, for rainwater tend to be of closed circular or rectangular cross-section and are formed from iron castings or are extruded in plastics material. These types of drainpipe have disadvantages in that it is not easy to clear them of leaves and other debris if they become blocked up and furthermore the manner by which these drainpipes are secured to walls usually entails the use of external brackets which clasp around the outsides of the drainpipes and can present an ugly appearance.

According to the present invention, there is provided a drainpipe for rainwater, the drainpipe comprising a body of substantially channel section and a removable cover member, said body having first means and said cover member having second means, said first and second means being able to co-operate with one another so that said cover member can engage with a snap action into removable sealing engagement with said body to form an open-ended duct, and the base of the body being provided with apertures to enable fastening means to be passed through the apertures to secure the body to a wall or the like.

A grommet can be provided in each aperture that is to receive a said fastening means.

Where there are any apertures that are not to receive the fastening means, those apertures are plugged to prevent rainwater leaking out of the drainpipe.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view, partly cut-away, of a drainpipe for rainwater, the drainpipe being shown secured to a wall, and Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of Figure 1.

The drawing shows a drainpipe for rainwater secured to a wall 1. The drainpipe includes a body 2 of substantially channel section and a removable cover member 3. When the cover member 3 is on the body 2, the drainpipe has a substantially square cross-section with each of its corners curved. The lips of the body 2 are bent over towards one another thereby forming oppositely-facing flanges 4.

Depending from the cover member 3 are a pair of spaced and oppositely curved or angular projections 5 which, when inserted into the gap 6 between the free ends of the flanges 4 of the body 2, are arranged to engage with a snap action into position with the cover member 3 in removable sealing engagement with the body 2 to form an open-ended duct or drainpipe. It will be seen that the configuration of the projections 5 is such that the kink or curvature lies inside the flanges 4 and within the body 2 when the cover member 3 is on the body 2.

It will also be seen that the outer longitudinal edge regions 7 are radiused and in fact the radius of the inner surface of each of the longitudinal edge regions 7 of the cover member 2 can be arranged to be slightly less than the radius of the corresponding outer surface of the body 2. This enables an effective grip to be produced at the radiused parts in addition to the snap action grip between the projections 5 and the edges of the flanges 4.

As will be seen from the drawing, the radiused edge regions 7 of the cover member 3 taper in thickness as they approach the extreme outer longitudinal edges of the cover member so that, with the cover member on the body 2, the edge regions of the lid merge gradually into the body at the corners thereof, the only visible sign of the use of a body and a separate lid being disclosed by a tell-tale thin line 8 longitudinally of the drainpipe near each corner.

In order to secure the drainpipe to a wall, for example, a series of apertures are provided along the length of the base of the body 2. Fastening means such as screws 9 can be used and, in order to inhibit leaking of rainwater out of the apertures, grommets 10 or other sealing devices can be provided in the apertures around the fastening means. Where the apertures are not to receive any fastening means, then a suitable plug can be provided for those apertures.

Although the drainpipe shown is of square cross-section with curved corners, it will be appreciated that the drainpipe could have sections of other shapes.

It will be further appreciated that the clip cover member 3 provides a secure double fix action but is removable to permit easy pipe cleaning and removal of leaves and other debris. Further, the concealed fixing eliminates the present unslightly external clips which in turn may discourage a person from climbing the drainpipe.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A drainpipe for rainwater, the drainpipe comprising a body of substantially channel section and a removable cover member, said body having first means and said cover member having second means, said first and second means being able to co-operate with one another so that said cover member can engage with a snap action into removable sealing engagement with said body to forrr an open-ended duct, and the base of the body being provided with apertures to enable fastening means to be passed through the apertures to secure the body to a wall or the like.

2. A drainpipe according to claim 1, in which a grommet is provided in each aperture that is to receive a said fastening means.

3. A drainpipe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein any of said apertures that is no-t to receive fastening means is plugged.

4. A drainpipe according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein when said cover member is on said body, the drainpipe has a substantially square cross-section with curved corners.

5. A drainpipe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first means comprises lips of the body bent over towards one another thereby forming oppositely-facing flanges and wherein said second means comprises a pair of spaced and oppositely curved or angular projections on the cover member1 which projections engage said flanges with a snap action.

6. A drainpipe according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein outer longitudinal edge regions of said cover member are arranged to grip adjacent regions of said body when said cover member is on said body.

7. A drainpipe, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.