GB2278776A - Apparatus for use in draining a bath or shower tray - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for use in draining a bath or shower tray comprises a shallow sump (10) sealably securable to the underside of a bath or shower tray around the waste outlet (23) thereof; there being one or more apertures provided in the side wall of the sump, each such aperture being operatively connected to a discharge pipe (16); and further comprising means for connecting the discharge (pipes) to a pump. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WATER REMOVAL The present invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to means for removing water from areas such as showers.

Conventionally, to drain water from a bath or shower, a ptrap is provided below a drainage hole formed in the base of the bath or shower. In general, only a very small clearance is available between the base of the bath or shower and the floor upon which it will rest. Accordingly, at least a portion of the p-trap or the waste pipe leading from such a p-trap has to be below floor level. When installing a bath or shower, this requires lifting of the floor boards, or where installation is above a concrete floor requires a channel to be made in the concrete floor in to which the waste pipe and p-trap may fit. This problem arises Particularly in providing a shower for an elderly or disablea person when conventionally a level access shower tray is Drovided.Such trays are provided without an outer rim on one ease of the tray which otherwise would present an obstacle to Dersons oi 1 limited movement endeavouring to enter the shower area. Such trays are provided with an inclined floor. gently sloping towards a drainage-hole and often provided with a ramp to allow easier entry to the shower particularly for a wheelchair-bound person. Accordingly, level access snower trays present a further reduced sub-tray area for installation of the drainage pipework.

Accordingly there is a need for a means of draining the water from areas such as shower trays which does not reQuire any Dart of the draining means to be below floor level.

Accordinq to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for draining the water from a bath or shower the method comprising: (a) providing a shower tray or bath with a shallow sump below the conventional drainage hole: (b) providing one or more apertures in the side wall(s) of the sump, each such aperture being operatively connected to a discharge pipe; and (c) providing a pump for pumping water from the bath or shower tray through the pipe(s) provided in the side wall(s) of the sump.

Accordinq to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a shower tray. wherein a shallow sump is provided below a drainage hole and wherein one or more apertures are provided in the side wall(s) of the sump. each such aperture being oDeratively connected to a discharge pipe for oDerative connection with a DumP.

Typically, the sump may be formed integrally within a shower tray or bath.

Accordinq to a yet further aspect of the Dresent invention there is provided an apparatus for use as a drain for a shower trav. the apparatus comprisinq: a shallow sump.

sealablv securable to the underside of a shower tray around the waste outlet of the tray; there being one or more apertures provided in the side wall of the sump each such aperture being operatively connected to a discharge pipe; and further comprising means for connecting the discharge pipe(s) to a pump.

By the term shallow it is intended to indicate that the sump is of such dimensions that in use the base of the sump will ideally not extend below the level of the floor upon which the shower or bath is mounted.

Preferably, all the discharge pipes draining the sump portion are connected to a manifold which in turn is connected to the pump. The manifold is preferably located closely adjacent the sump. In a shower tray the manifold may be located in a hollow wall void.

Preferably the sump has a circular cross-section thereby forming a sump having a single side wall. The wall may be in the form of a frusto-conical section.

Preferably the pump is a suction pump. Preferably the pump includes a multiple non-return valve and is capable of running dry.

Preferably the base of the shower tray has an incline such that in use water fallinq on the tray is directed into the sump.

The sump mav be provided with a covering plate to prevent the ingress of solid matter such as hair into the drain system.

The terms shower and bath are intendea to cover showering and bathing areas in general. For example, the shower tray or bath may comprise sheet flooring material suitably mounted on a floor; the (conventional) drainage hoie then being defined by an aperture in the sheet flooring material. The sump would then be recessed into the floor.

The apparatus of the present invention may be provided in the form of a kit for use in adapting conventional shower tray for use in the met nod of the present invention.

The above and otner aspects of the present invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 snows in pan view an embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention: Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure 1: Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional exploded view illustrating an embodiment of a shower tray in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 5 illustrates a yet further embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and Fig. 6 illustrates in a cross-sectional exploded view the use of the embodiment of Fig. 5 with continuous sheet flooring.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention has a shallow circular sump 10 bounded by a base 12 and a wall 13. The sump 10 is provided with a recess 11 to receive an O-ring seal 14 (shown in Fig.

3). As shown, two apertures 15 are provided in wall 13 each communicating with a discharge pipe 16. Each pipe 16 is of a small bore. typically approximately 5mm diameter. All such small bore pipes 16 are connected to a manifold 17 which in turn can be connected to a single outlet pipe 18 (shown in Fiq. 3). Typically pipe 18 is of standard 15mm diameter.

Pipe 18 is connected to the inlet side of a suction pump (not shown) the outlet side being connected to the waste water system of the property in which the installation is being made. The pump may be provided at a location remote from the installation depending upon the power of the pump.

Fig. 3 illustrates a typical shower tray of the present invention. The shower tray has a side wall 20, a floor 21 and a cavity 22 provided in the side wall by provision of a rigidifying member 26. A drainage aperture 23 is provided in the floor 21. A sump 10 as described above is located below the drainage aperture 23, an O-ring seal 14 is located in recess 11, a perforated drain plate 24 is positioned above aperture 23 and secured to the sump 10 by means of a screw passing through a central hole in the plate 24 and locating in a threaded nut 25 provided in the base 12 of the sump thereby securinq the sump to the shower tray. As illustrated, for tidiness and ease of installation, outlet pipe 18 is suitably provided within the cavity 22.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate further embodiments of sumps in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a similar embodiment to that of Fig. 1 wherein a single flattened pipe 30 providing a letter-box opening from the sump 10 is provided in place of the two small bore pipes shown in Fig. 1.

In the installation shown in Fig. 6. the sump 10 is used in combination with non-slip continuous sheet flooring 35. The sheet floorinq 35 is, in use, clamped between a drain plate 24 and O-rinq seal 14 by a screw passing thorough plate 24 and locating in a corresponding threaded nut provided in the sumD 10.

The pipe work used with the embodiments of the present invention may be made from conventional materials such as copper. stainless steel or a plastics material. Preferably, discharge pipes 16 are formed of a flexible plastics material, particularly if the apparatus of the present invention is provided in the form of a kit for adaptation of a conventional shower tray. Typically the shower tray is moulded conventionally from a glass fibLe/resin composition.

By allowing for the use of conventionally sized small diameter pipework (for example 15mm), the pipes can be easily hidden from view. Alternatively, as such size pipes are known from domestic central heating systems and are thus aesthetically acceotable in the home, it will not be essential to disguise the pipework other than by painting if appropriate.

Advantaqeously, wall 13 of sump 10 may be in the form of a frusto-conical section to aid direction of water into the discharge pipes 16.

Typically the 0being seal is of a conventional construction from materials conventionally used in such connections.

In a typical shower tray. the seDaration between the base of the shower tray and the floor 40 uDon which the shower tray is mounted is around 2 - 3 cm (distance x shown in Figure 3).

Conventional waste traps are deeper than this value, and as such reauire chasing into the floor. By using the shower tray or apparatus of the present invention, no such procedure is necessary.

An in-line filter may be provided between the manifold 17 and the Dump in order to further reduce the risk of damage to the pump from solid materials being sucked down the waste.

Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the pump is a diaphragm pump thereby obviating the need for a filter.

Preferably the pump is an electric pump of the self-priming type and has a run-ary facility allowing the pump to be left on without the motor burning out should the flow of water cease. The pump may pe operated manually, for example by means of a pul cora switch: or or it may be startec automatically, for example upon the start of an electric shower or by means of a water flow detector located in the pipework close to the sump. Preferably, the pump continues to operate for a short period, for example, five to fifteen seconds after the flow of water has ceased. Where an electric pump requiring a transformer is used in combination with an electric shower, advantageously, the transformer is housed in the snower housing.

It is preferable to provide a multiple non-return valve or some other form of anti-syphon device on the outlet side of the pump and in many situations this may be a statutory requirement. Such a valve may be incorporated into the pump.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. A method for draining water from a path or shower, the method comprising: (1) providing a shower or bath with a shallow sumD below the conventional drainage hole; (ii) providing one or more apertures in the side wall(s) of the sump. each such aperture being operatively connected to a discharge pipe: and (iii) providing a pump for pumping water from the bath or shower through the discharge pipe(s).

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the shallow sump is formed integrally with the bath or the shower.

3. A bath or shower tray having a shallow sump provided below a drainage hole and having one or more apertures provided in the side wail(s) of the sump eacn such aperture being operatively connected to a discharge pipe for operative connection with a pump.

4. A bath or shower tray as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the shallow sumo ;s formed integrally with Ine pony ot the bath or shower tray.

5. Apparatus for use in the removal of water from a bath or shower trays tie apparatus comprising a shallow sump seal ably securable to the underside of a bath or shower tray around the waste outlet thereof or moulded integrally tnerewith; there being one or more apertures provided in the side wall of the sump, each such aperture being operatively connected to a discharge pipe; and further comprising means for connecting the discharge pipes to a pump.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 further comprising an electrically operated pump.

7. In combination a shower tray, a -shallow sump sealably securable to the underside of the shower tray and an electrically operated pump operatively connectable to the sump.