GB2352466A

GB2352466A - Drainage channel and grating assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2352466A
Application number: GB9917414A
Authority: GB
Inventors: M Gerard Hebert; Lee Leonard Fleming
Original assignee: Aco Technologies PLC
Current assignee: Aco Technologies PLC
Priority date: 1999-07-24
Filing date: 1999-07-24
Publication date: 2001-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-24
Also published as: GB2352466B; GB9917414D0

Abstract

A drainage channel and grating assembly comprises a grating frame (20) having a base and side walls, and an open-mouthed channel having a recess defined in opposite sides of the mouth of the channel incorporating a substantially horizontal shoulder (14) on which the base of the grating is adapted to seat, and an upstand (12) such that a crack (30) is defined between each side wall (22) of the grating and the adjacent upstand (12), characterised in that a drainage path (32) is provided between the crack and the channel. The drainage path is suitably created by a series of notches formed in a lower surface of each side wall or by a series of transverse grooves formed in the substantially horizontal shoulder.

Description

2352466 Drainage Gratings The present invention relates to drainage

gratings and, more particularly to fabricated stainless steel gratings that seat in drainage channels.

In a conventional drainage grating which seats on a substantially horizontal shoulder of a recess at the mouth of a drainage channel an effective seal is formed between the abutting surfaces of the grating and channel. This can cause water and debris to accumulate in a crack formed between the adjacent sides of the recess and the grating. This water cannot escape into the channel because of the sealing effect and therefore a reservoir can build up in which pathogens and bacteria can form and multiply. Conventionally the gratings would therefore need to be removed in order to clean this crack area.

In order to solve this technical problem it is proposed in accordance with the invention to provide means to drain the crack at the sides of the grating by providing a drainage path between the crack and the main drainage channel. In a preferred embodiment the crack is drained through notches formed in a base of a side wall of the grating which provide drainage paths across the effective seal. In an alternative embodiment grooves could be provided in the surface of the channel to provide the same result.

In order that the invention may be well understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure I shows a perspective view of a drainage channel; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a drainage grating frame in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 2 Figure 3 shows a section through the grating and channel when assembled.

A typical drainage channel profile for a stainless steel drainage channel 2 is illustrated in Figure 1. The channel 2 has an open mouth 4-. The channel is formed by shaping a single sheet of metal to the required profile. The profile defines a base 6 with two parallel sides 5 8. A recess 10 is formed along each side of the open mouth 4. The recess has an upstand 12 and a substantially horizontal shoulder 14. Each free edge of the sheet metal of which the channel is formed is folded back on itself to define an upper surface which will be flush with a surface to be drained when the channel 2 is installed.

It will be appreciated that the profile of the channel 2 may be modified in various ways depending on the purpose and capacity of the drainage system of which it forms part.

The open mouth of the channel is intended to be closed by a series of grating frames 20 which rest in the recesses 10 along either side of the channel. A typical grating frame 20 is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2.

The grating frame 20 is constructed from side walls 22 joined by cross pieces 24 at each IS end and at spaced intervals in between in order to define a grid, A lower horizontal surface 26 of each side wall 22 rests on the corresponding shoulder 14 of the channel when the frame is installed.

As shown in Figure 3 a crack 30 is formed between the facing surfaces of the upstand 12 of the channel and an outer surface of the side wall 22. In order to make for easy installation of the frames in the mouth of the channel there must be a certain play between these facing surfaces.

A series of spaced notches 32 is cut into the lower horizontal surface 26 of each side wall 22 in order to create drainage paths between the cracks 30 at each side of the frame 20 into the main body of the drainage channel 2.

3 It will be appreciated that the drainage paths between the cracks 30 and the channel could also be created by forming spaced grooves in the shoulder 14. The notches may be cut into the frame after it has been assembled or cast into it if it is a moulded component. It will be appreciated that this solution can be employed with various designs of grating S frame which are provided to cover such channels.

4

Claims

Claims

I A drainage channel and grating assembly comprising a grating having a base and side walls, and an open-mouthed channel having a recess defined in opposite sides of the mouth of the channel incorporating a substantially horizontal shoulder on which the base of a grating is adapted to seat, and an upstand such that a crack is defined between each side wall of the grating and the adjacent upstand; characterised in that means are provided for defining a drainage path between the crack and the channel.
2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drainage path is defined by a series of notches formed in a lower surface of each side wall.
3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drainage path is defined by a series of trasnsverse grooves formed in the substantially horizontal shoulder.
4. A drainage channel and grating assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.