GB2485426A

GB2485426A - Floor drain corner deflector

Info

Publication number: GB2485426A
Application number: GB201102662A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David William Beddoes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-11
Filing date: 2011-02-16
Publication date: 2012-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2031-02-16
Also published as: GB201019020D0; GB201102662D0; GB2485426B

Abstract

The invention relates to a deflector E attached to a drainage conduit which allows access around corners of floor drains and perimeter floor drains for improved maintenance and cleaning. The deflector is preferably separate to the drainage conduits and may be attached by gluing or by means of slots (L figure 5b) and protrusions (K figure 5b). The deflector may also comprise a strengthening rib (M figure 5d).

Description

Drain deflector This invention relates to a method for gaining access around the corners of floor drains and perimeter floor drains.

Perimeter floor drains have long been used in buildings for basements subject to water ingress. Perimeter floor drains can also be used as part of a flood protection system.

Perimeter floor drains are positioned inside the building, at the wall to floor joint, usually installed below the wall and floor construction and as such are difficult to access.

Currently, commercially available perimeter floor drains are in the form of a P.V.C. drainage channel conduit specifically designed for the control of water ingress. The channel is fined around the floor perimeter at the walllfloor joint. Water entering the building through the walls is collected by the channel at the base of the wall. Water rising from below the floor through the floor/wall joint is also collected by the channel. The channel can also collect water ingress from behind cavity membranes fixed to walls and/or laid over floor slabs. The water enters the channel via a series of pre-drilled holes and is then transferred along the channel to a suitable drainage point, either natural or a mechanical sump/pump installation.

Two versions of channel conduit are available (with and without upstand). The version with an upstand is primarily used with cavity membranes in situations where the channel can be laid close to the wall and is generally called a perimeter floor drain. The version without the upstand is generally called a floor drain as opposed to a perimeter floor drain and is used where the channel cannot be laid close to the wall e.g. where high level foundations prevent the channel being fitted close to the wall or across areas of floor where it is necessary to incorporate extra drains due to large floor area or the presence of construction joints. The channel itself is usually in the shape of a trapezium to both aid installation and provide adequate flow rates along the drain.

Rodding points or rodding eyes can be provided for access into the drainage system. Access is necessary for maintenance and cleaning purposes and it is usual to insert drain inspection cameras and water hoses along the length of the drains when flushing out the system.

It is access around the corners of the drainage system that is a problem for maintenance, cleaning and identification of defects. A camera or water hose can be pushed along the drainage channel conduit but when a corner is encountered it is not possible to negotiate the turn and the camera or hose simply pushes against the far side of the channel. Also the method of forming corners in many installations is usually to simply mitre the ends and sit them against each other and this can produce problems e.g. during subsequent membrane laying and floor construction the two mitred ends become misaligned and this results in a step in the channel invert at the corner which further prevents access around the corner of the drain.

To overcome the access problems around corners the drainage installers have to use rodding points/eyes in every straight length of drain as they are unable to access around and flush out around corners. The installation of the rodding points for every straight length of drain is expensive and it is not aesthetically acceptable for the occupiers as usually the jetting points are placed in the centre of the drain run which means that floor drain inspection caps or wall mounted inspection plates are seen by occupiers. These visible caps and plates place a stigma on the property that is an embarrassment for the occupier, particularly in domestic properties.

A new method is needed to facilitate access for cameras and hoses around bends in drainage channel conduits and also ensure that the drain inverts at mitred corners are kept at the same level so that steps in the invert do not prevent access.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a deflector plate that is fitted into the corners of drainage channel conduits. Advag

The ability to negotiate around corners means that less rodding points/eyes are needed for access into the drainage system. This produces savings on installation times and cost of materials/labour.

Less rodding point/eyes and not having to be in the centre of walls just above skirting level is much more aesthetically acceptable to occupiers.

The invention deflects the flow of water around corners within the drainage channel conduit with far less turbulence than when the water flows straight into the side of the channel at the corner. This provides a higher flow rate within the channels.

As it is fitted at the corner of the drainage channel the insertion of the deflector plate ensures that the inverts of the two channels that meet at the corner are kept at the same level, this feature aids water flow around the corner.

The level inverts at the corner remove the possibility of a step in the invert joint preventing access for cameras and hoses.

Installation of drainage system is easier and quicker as the mitred corners are held securely together during installation work to allow more accurate measurements to be taken when fitting drains around a room perimeter.

Deflectors can be inserted into a drainage system conduit with any type of floor or wall construction.

Deflector can serve more than one function in that it also acts as a means of joining the two parts of the drainage channel conduit at the mitred corner.

The use of deflector plates pre-fitted to corner pieces removes the need for installers to mitre the drainage channel ends during installation.

Moveable attachment of the deflector plate to the two corner pieces of drainage channel conduit allows for adjustment of the angle between the two parts and any misalignment during installation e.g. when building corners are not exactly a right angle.

Provides a professional looking finish for owners to see during the installation compared to the current situation that involves misaligned mitred corners held together with self adhesive tape.

Positive alignment of corners allows the proper flood testing of the installation during, on completion and after installation as required by BS 8102: 2009 (10.3.2).

I

Drawings The method will now be explained and examples of the invention described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 a plan view to show the corner of a drainage channel conduit.

Figure 2 a line drawing to show the deflector in a drainage channel.

Figure 3 a line thawing to show the deflector fitted to a perimeter floor drain internal corner.

Figure 4 a line thawing to show the deflector fitted to a perimeter floor drain external corner.

Figure 5 a line drawing of some examples of deflectors and their method of fixing.

Figure 6 a line drawing of deflectors with strengthening ribs.

Figure 7 a line drawing of a deflector attached to the underside of a floor drain top section.

Figure 8 a line thawing to show a deflector fitted into a pre-formed corner piece.

Figure 9 the fitment of a deflector to a pre-formed internal perimeter floor drain corner.

Figure 10 a line drawing to show some shapes of deflectors.

Figure 11 a line drawing to show a deflector used where access is needed from only one side of a drain corner.

Figure 12 a line thawing to show a deflector that will hold together the two corner pieces of a drainage channel conduit Figure 13 a line thawing to show a deflector holding together the two corner pieces of a perimeter floor drain which fits against a wall.

Figure 14 a line thawing to show a deflector being inserted into a corner formed from two mitred sections of one piece drainage channel conduit.

Detailed description

Figure 1 is a plan view of the corner of a drainage channel conduit. The left hand side (a) shows channels A and B meeting at the mitred corner F. The hose C has been pushed along the drainage channel conduit and cannot negotiate the corner, the hose is pushed against the side wall of the drain. Any misalignment of the inverts of the two drains where they meet at F will also cause an obstruction for the hose C. The same would happen if C was a drain inspection camera, and often the camera can be damaged by being pushed against the channel wall as shown in (a).

The right hand side (b) shows the same corner with the deflector B now in place. Deflector E sits between the drainage channel conduit invert and soffit and keeps the two inverts of channel A and channel B aligned. E deflects the hose C as shown by D and gets the hose around the corner.

Deflector B performs at least one function as it allows access around the corner for cameras and hoses and it keeps the channel inverts aligned. This alignment helps with access for equipment and aids water flow around the drain corner to be smooth/less turbulent and increases drainage capacity to handle water ingress. The deflector also reduces water turbulence as it flows around the corner.

Deflector £ can be fitted to any type of drainage channel conduit e.g. perimeter floor drains with upstand or floor drain with no upstand. The deflector can be attached to drainage channel conduits made from at least one part. The deflector can be attached to pre-formed corner pieces to allow access around corners as shown in (b). The deflector can be attached to any cross-sectional shape of drainage channel conduit. Right hand side (b) shows an internal corner and the deflector B can be attached to external corners on drainage channel conduits with and without upstands. The deflector £ can be made from one or more parts and although shown as straight in (b) it may optionally be made up of flat or radiussed areas.

Figure 2 is a line drawing of the channel part of a two part drainage channel conduit. The top sections have been removed and the two channels A and B meet at the mitred corner F. The deflector £ is attached across the inverts of the drainage channels and can deflect water, cameras and hoses. When the top sections are fitted to form the drainage channel conduit the deflector is held between inverts and soffits and as such keeps the inverts aligned.

Figure 3 is a line drawing to show a two part drainage channel conduit fitted against the internal corner of a wall. The top section has an upstand and this is a perimeter floor drain fitted against the wall. Channel A and B meet in the corner. The upstands are shown as (1 and H. The deflector B can be seen attached inside the corner.

Figure 4 a line drawing of a drainage channel conduit that is one part, external corner perimeter floor drain for fitting against a wall. With some manufacturers' drainage channel conduits, as in this example, the top section G and lower section B are formed together as one part (similarly H and A are one part). The two lengths of one part drainage channel conduit have been mitred at their ends and meet at F. The deflector E can be seen attached inside the corner where it keeps the inverts aligned and facilitates access around the corner.

Figure 5 is a series of four line drawings to show some examples of methods of attaching the deflector E to the drainage channel conduit. In diagram (a) the deflector E is glued in place to channels A and B around the perimeter J. In diagram (b) slots have been cut into the channel sides of the drainage channel conduit and the deflector is attached with protrusions K that fit into the slots L. Diagram (c) shows deflector F with formed ends that attach to the channel sides. In all cases of deflector attachment the redundant part of the drainage channel conduit that is isolated from the drain behind the deflector may be removed if necessary. In diagram (d) the deflector E is shown with an optional strengthening rib M. The rib M sits behind the deflector in the redundant part of the drainage channel conduit that is isolated by the deflector. The rib M can transfer the loading placed on deflector F to the corner of the wall and/or the drainage channel conduit sides. Considerable loadings may be placed on F due to cameras being pushed against F whilst negotiating the corner and M will transfer this load.

Figure 6 is two line drawings to show deflectors with strengthening ribs. In the left hand side (a) the deflector F has a strengthening plate M to take loading placed on F. The join between F and M can have at least one gusset P. The clips shown as N can be attached to the channel walls at the corner to keep the deflector in position inside the drainage channel conduit. The strengthening rib M can continue past the attachment clips N to bear onto the internal wall corner to transfer any loadings placed on deflector F to the wall itself Diagram (b) shows deflector F with strengthening rib M and more than one set of clips N. The clips N can be positioned to attach the deflector to any cross-sectional shape of drainage channel conduit.

The clips N may be glued to the channel walls for extra strength if necessary.

Figure 7 is a line drawing to show another way the invention can be made or carried out. The deflector E is attached at J to the underside of the top section of a two part drainage channel conduit. The two top sections are attached together and then the deflector F is attached to their underside. When this top part is pushed onto the channel corner the deflector will be in exactly the right place across the corner. This will both position the deflector and hold the mitred corner together. The deflector with the strengthening rib as shown in Fig 6 could be used in this example to transfer loading on F. Figure 8 is another way to carry out the invention. The figure is a sectional line drawing to show the deflector attached to the inside of a pre-formed corner piece. The deflector E has two arms with clips R on the ends. The deflector is fitted inside the pre-formed corner and the clips fit around the channel sides to secure it inside the drain. As with other examples the deflector can be both clipped and glued in place to attach it to the drainage channel conduit.

The different ways that are shown of how to make or carry out this invention are applicable to any angle of mitred or pre-formed corner/bend for a drainage channel conduit.

Figure 9 is a line drawing of a one part drainage channel conduit pre-formed corner piece.

The pre-forrned piece has an upstand and is used as a perimeter floor drain corner. In another way of carrying out the invention the cut S is made through the corner piece from below, stopping at the underside of the drainage channel conduit soffit. The deflector B can then be inserted into slot S for a secure and accurate attachment. The redundant area of drainage channel conduit behind the deflector shown as U may be removed.

In another similar way the cut V is made through the actual corner of the piece and a deflector with strengthening rib as in fig 6 is inserted from inside the corner piece with the clips and strengthening rib pushed through and protruding out of the cut V. This would transfer loadings from deflector to wall via strengthening rib.

Figure 10 shows some options for shapes of the deflector. The deflector could be straight, curved when made from several flat plates or radiussed.

Figure II is a plan and an end elevation. The left hand side (a) shows a plan view of a drainage channel conduit where access is needed from only one direction i.e. from right to left. This type of deflector can then be attached to one side of a mitred corner or inserted and attached to a channel wall in a pre-formed corner piece. The deflector E is shown attached to channel A. In diagram (b) the end elevation shows the view along the drainage channel conduit. Deflector E is seen inside the corner, it will deflect water flow, camera and maintenance equipment around the corner of the drainage channel conduit. The small circular holes seen in the plan and end elevation are the series of pre-drilled holes that let the water into the drainage channel conduit.

Figure 12 a line drawing to show another way the invention can be made or carried out. The deflector E performs at least one function, it act as a corner deflector for water, flushing hose and camera together with also holding together the two corner pieces A and B of a drainage channel conduit. The deflector B is shown on its own in the top left hand corner of the figure.

Deflector B is then shown as attached at R to the top section B at the mitred end of a two part drainage channel conduit. The two corner sections A and B are mitred at corners F and will both be attached to deflector E. A gap can be left between A and B at the mitred joins F to allow adjustment of the angle between A and B for a better fit into a corner. The attachments R will allow movement between deflector plate and pieces A and B to allow adjustment of the angle between A and B. The ability to adjust the angle between A and B will facilitate installation by allowing alignment of the corner when walls are not meeting at exact right angles.

Figure 13 a line drawing to show deflector E holding together the two corner pieces A and B of a two part perimeter floor drain which fits with upstands G and H against a wall. At the corner the two mitred faces F are kept apart which allows adjustment for the angle between the joined sections as they rotate around the attachment points R to the deflector plate. In addition to a deflector the plate E acts to hold together the two corner sections and allows for some adjustment. Deflector B will keep drainage channel conduit inverts in alignment during installation and subsequent use.

Figure 14 a line drawing to show a deflector being inserted into a corner formed from two mitred sections of one piece drainage channel conduit. The sections A and B are mitred at F. The deflector plate B is attached to both A and B at points R. The attachments at R allow for movement between the deflector plate B and parts A and B. A gap left between the mitred faces F will then allow for the angle between parts A and B to be adjusted during installation.

The deflector B has more than one function as it deflects water, hoses and cameras whilst also holding together the two corner sections A and B so they are adjustable to fit corner angles that are not exact right angles.

Claims

Claims I. A deflector attached to a drainage channel conduit.
2. A deflector according to claim 1, attached to the corner of a drainage channel conduit.
3. A deflector according to claim 2, that keeps the inverts of the drainage channel conduits in alignment.
4. A deflector according to previous claims that holds together the two sections of a drainage channel conduit.
5. A deflector according to previous claims with attachments that allow movement between deflector and drainage channel conduit to allow adjustment of the angle formed between the two joined sections of drainage channel conduit.4. A method and deflector substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.