GB2302354A

GB2302354A - Sealing groove insert for draining gutter

Info

Publication number: GB2302354A
Application number: GB9612822A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Markus Amann
Original assignee: Poly Bauelemente AG
Current assignee: Poly Bauelemente AG
Priority date: 1995-06-19
Filing date: 1996-06-19
Publication date: 1997-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-19
Also published as: GB9612822D0; DE19620978A1; GB2302354B; FR2735506A1

Description

2302354 Draining gutter Draining gutters are built up from gutter

elements, for example, of polyester concrete, disposed in end-to-end relationship with one another. To this end, the elements are formed at one end with a rebate in which a projection on the facing side of the next gutter element engages by way of identical perimeters. If the gutter is required to be liquid-tight, for example, near motor vehicle filling stations, the rebate is longer lengthwise of the gutter than the projection of the facing gutter element which engages in the rebate so that a channel-section groove arises. The same is plugged with a sealant. This sealing is unnecessary for ordinary uses, and so for such uses (standard gutter) the rebate and projection are both of the same length.

The gutter elements are available in from 20 to 30 different heights in order that a gradient of the gutter base may be provided, for example, in the case of a flat surface. A correspondingly large product range therefore has to be stored.

It is the object of this invention to simplify storage. This problem is solved by the combination of features of the claims.

The effect of the sealing groove insert is that gutter elements intended for liquid-tight closure by sealants can readily be used where total sealing- tightness is unnecessary. For such uses all that is necessary is for the sealing groove insert to be inserted into the rebate to ensure a smooth flow transfer between the gutters. The range of gutters which has to be stored is therefore greatly reduced and the gutter elements can be produced in larger numbers and more cheaply than previously. The sealing provided by the sealing groove insert may in some circumstances suffice to provide a liquid-tight seal between the gutter elements, more particularly if the insert has additional sealing beads or sealing strips on its end faces or if it is stuck in. In this case a relatively labour- intensive plugging of the groove with a sealant can be omitted.

One exemplified embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sealing groove insert; Fig. 2 shows three sealing groove inserts of different heights; Fig. 3 is a view of an end face of a gutter element and of the uninserted sealing groove insert, and Figs. 4 and 5 are views in longitudinal section and plan respectively of two gutter elements which have been placed in end-to-end relationship with one another without and with a sealing groove insert.

As Figs. 3 and 4 show, on one end face the gutter elements 3 are formed with a rebate 2 in which a projection 8 of the adjacent gutter element 3 engages. The rebate 2 is longer lengthwise of the gutter element than the length of the projection 8 so that at the junction a rectangular section groove 4 which is Ushaped in its end view arises. The groove 4 can be plugged with a sealant if the gutter is required to be liquid tight at the bottom. If absolute sealingtightness is unnecessary, a sealing groove insert 1 as shown in Figs. 1 - 3 is introduced or stuck into the groove 4. The sealing groove insert 1 is made of natural rubber or plastics, for example, of a thermoplastic or an elastomer. By way of its two arms 5 it can provide prestressing if the external dimension a at the free ends of the arms 5 is greater than the width b of the rebate 2.

The range of gutters can comprise a number of gutter elements which increase linearly in height in order that a fall of the gutter height can be provided in a flat road surface. To simplify storage, cutting notches 6 can be formed on the insert arms for adaptation to any gutter element height. However, in order to avoid having to cut away a lot of material from the sealing groove inserts of the low elements of a wide range of gutter element heights, the sealing groove inserts 1 can be provided, for example, in three different heights, as Fig. 2 shows. However, an appropriate sealing groove insert can be provided for each individual gutter. To compensate for length tolerances of the rebate 2 and projection 8 the inserts 1 can have a sealing tab or a sealing bead on at least one end face 7.

The sealing groove inserts according to the invention have the advantage that they can be fitted much more quickly than the conventional sealants and grouting compositions and that they ensure a smooth flowenhancing transition without recesses or prominences between adjacent groove elements. Since they are so simple and cheap to fit, gutter elements adapted for the grouting of a sealing groove can be used wherever an operative liquid-tight seal between adjacent gutter elements would be unnecessary and where special gutter elements whose rebate length is equal to the length of the projection on the facing end would normally be used. The range of gutter elements required to be stocked can therefore be reduced considerably.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A draining gutter consisting of gutter elements (3) which at one end are formed with a rebate (2) and which at the other end have a matching projection (8) for engagement by way of perimeters of identical crosssection in the rebate (2) of a contiguous gutter element (3), characterised by a U-shaped sealing groove insert (1) adapted to be introduced or stuck into the rebate (2), the inner perimeter of the sealing groove insert (1) when fitted being equal to the inner perimeter of the gutter elements (3).

2. A gutter according to claim 1, wherein the width (a) of the sealing groove insert (1) is greater than the width (b) of the rebate (2).

3. A gutter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two arms (5) of the sealing groove insert (1) diverge towards their free ends.

4. A gutter according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein the arms (5) of the sealing groove insert (1) have towards their free end cutting notches (6) spaced apart at regular intervals.

5. A gutter according to any of claims 1 - 4, wherein the sealing groove insert (1) has on at least one of its end faces (7) a sealing tab or a sealing bead.

6. A gutter according to any of claims 1 - 5, wherein the sealing groove insert (1) is of natural rubber or plastics, more particularly a thermoplastic or an elastomer.

7. An assembly set for a draining gutter according to any of claims 1 - 6 consisting of a limited number of sealing groove inserts (1) suitable for gutter element grooves of linearly increasing height, wherein the sealing groove inserts (1) have cutting notches (6) enabling the sealing groove inserts to be adapted to the discrete gutter elements in the group (Fig. 2).

8. An assembly set according to claim 7, wherein an appropriate sealing groove insert is provided for each gutter element height.