GB2612031A

GB2612031A - Drain channel extension

Info

Publication number: GB2612031A
Application number: GB2114904.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Clark Ronald
Original assignee: CLARKSTEEL HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: CLARKSTEEL HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-19
Filing date: 2021-10-19
Publication date: 2023-04-26
Also published as: GB202114904D0; IE20220167A2

Abstract

A drain channel for placing in a ground trench to receive surface water. The drain channel comprises an elongate channel 101 having a gulley 102 at a base thereof and opposing gulley sidewalls 103a, 103b upstanding from the gulley, and a pair of modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b for extending the depth of the drain channel, the modular sidewall segments being attached to the gulley sidewalls and extending upwardly therefrom to define an opening for receiving surface water in use. The channel may have a stack of modular segments on each of the walls and preferably attach by a male-female slot coupling. Self-tapping screws may be used as a secondary fastener to secure the modular segments. Further disclosed is a kit comprising sidewalls of varying heights to aid retrofitting of the drain channel.

Description

Drain Channel Extension

Field

The present invention relates to drains, in particular, drain channels embedded in the ground.

Introduction

Drain channels are embedded in a ground surface to provide a passage for excess surface water thereby preventing the ground surface from flooding. Typically, drain channels are open at a top surface in order to receive surface water flowing across the ground. The drain channel can be utilised to funnel surface water to a suitable location such as into a sewage system. Drain channels are particularly suitable for providing drainage to large and relatively flat areas, for example along the side of a car park or paved area. Typically, elongate drain channel sections are pre-manufactured, e.g. moulded or extruded, prior to being placed in a prepared trench in the ground. Existing drain channels are normally placed in a trench that is of a particular depth depending on outer dimensions of the drain channel, thereby ensuring that the drain channel opening is aligned with the surrounding ground surface in order to receive flowing surface water.

An objective of this invention is to provide an improved drain channel.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a drain channel for placing in a ground trench to receive surface water. The drain channel comprises an elongate channel having a gulley at a base thereof and opposing gulley sidewalls upstanding from the gulley, and a pair of modular sidewall segments for extending the depth of the drain channel, the modular sidewall segments being attached to the gulley sidewalls and extending upwardly therefrom to define an opening for receiving surface water in use.

Optionally, the modular sidewall segments are attached to a distal upwardly facing surface of the gulley sidewalls.

Optionally, each of the modular sidewall segments are attached via one or more gulley wall attachments.

Optionally, the gulley wall attachments comprise a male-female coupling.

Optionally, each male-female coupling comprises a slot which extends laterally into either the modular sidewall segment or the gulley sidewall, the other of the modular sidewall segment and gulley sidewall comprising key which is sized to be snugly received laterally within the slot.

Optionally, the drain channel further comprises a plurality of gulley wall attachment points distributed along the length of the gulley sidewalls.

Optionally, the drain channel further comprises a plurality of ribs extending downwardly from the distal upwardly facing surface towards the base of the drain channel, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of ribs define a gap therebetween in which at least a portion of the key is located.

Optionally, the drain channel further comprises a stack of modular sidewall segments on each of the gulley sidewalls.

Optionally, each stack of modular sidewall segments includes a first modular sidewall segment and a second modular sidewall segment, wherein the first and second modular sidewall segments are attached to one another using one or more modular wall attachment points.

Optionally, the modular sidewall attachment points are the same as the gulley wall attachment points such that either the first or the second modular sidewall segments may be attached to either the gulley sidewalls or the other of the first or the second modular sidewall segments.

Optionally, the modular sidewall segments are detachably attachable to the gulley sidewalls.

Optionally, the drain channel further comprises at least one secondary fixing securing the modular sidewall segment to the gulley sidewall.

Optionally, the secondary fixing is a threaded fastener.

Optionally, the threaded fastener is a self-tapping screw.

Optionally, each modular sidewall segment comprises an upper flange and a lower flange defining an upper surface and a lower surface for mating with the gulley wall.

Optionally, each modular sidewall segments comprises plurality of ribs extending between the upper and lower flanges.

Optionally, at least one modular sidewall segment comprises a rim member attached to an upper edge thereof, the rim member being configured to receive a grate in use.

Optionally, the rim member is attached to the modular sidewall segment via a threaded fixture.

Optionally, the rim member is metallic.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising an elongate channel comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate channel having gulley at a base of the channel and opposing gulley sidewalls upstanding therefrom, and at least one pair of modular sidewall segments for attachment to the gulley sidewalls to extend upwardly therefrom.

Optionally, the kit of parts further comprises a plurality of pairs of modular sidewall segments, each pair of the modular sidewall segments having a different extension height.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a drain channel according to this disclosure.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of an elongate channel of a drain channel according to figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of a drain channel according to figure 1.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a modular sidewall segment of a drain channel according to figure 1.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a drain channel according to figure 1 including an end panel.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figure 1, a drain channel comprises an elongate drain channel 101 comprising a gulley 102 (which may be referred to as a gulley segment) and opposing gulley sidewalls 103a, 103b upstanding from the gulley 102. In the shown example, the gulley 102 and sidewalls 103a, 103b are elongated along a straight longitudinal axis. However, the gulley 102 and sidewalls 103a, 103b may extend along a curved axis. In the shown example, the gulley 102 is semi-circular when viewed in a cross-sectional transverse to the longitudinal axis of the gulley. However, this cross-sectional profile of the gulley may form alternative shapes such as, but not limited to, trapezoidal, triangular, rectangular, or other round profiles. The gulley sidewalls 103a and 103b are shown as being tangential to the ends of the gulley 102, however, the gulley sidewalls 103a, and 103b may be angled with respect to the gulley 102. In other examples, the gulley sidewalls 103a, 103b may be incorporated into the gulley, such as forming part of a curved surface of the gulley 102.

The drain channel 101 may be one of a plurality of drain channels which are linearly assembled in an end-to-end relation to provide an elongate channel as known in the art. Thus, the drain channel may comprise a first end and an opposing second end which each of which attach to a corresponding drain channel. It will be appreciated that the attachment of adjacent drain channels is beyond the scope of this disclosure but well known in the art. As shown in Figure 1, a terminal end of the drain may comprise drain channel having an end wall.

The drain channel 101 has a modular construction in which sidewalls which extend upwardly from the gulley sidewalls 103a,b to define the depth of the drain channel 101 are mechanically separate parts attached to the gulley. By mechanically separate it will be appreciated that the sidewalls are manufactured separately from the gulley and later attached, typically at the site of installation.

Thus, a pair of modular sidewall segments 104a and 104b may be attached to the respective gulley sidewalls 103a and 103b. The pair of modular sidewall segments 104a and 104b may extend upwards from the gulley sidewalls 103a and 103b and define an opening 105 for receiving surface water. In the example of Figure 1, the depth of the drain channel can be considered to be the lateral distance between the deepest point of the gulley 102 and the opening 105, e.g. the plane defined by the upper edges of the sidewalls as shown by line 106. Therefore, it can be seen that the modular sidewall segments 104a and 104b effectively extend the depth of the drain channel.

The modular sidewall segments 104a,b may be planar wall segments, e.g. panels. The sidewall segments may be elongate and have a depth which is less than the depth of the gulley segment. The thickness of the modular sidewall segments may have the same wall thickness as the gulley segment.

Typically, in use, the drain channel is embedded into the ground (not shown) by being placed and secured in a prepared trench. The ground trench may roughly conform to the peripheral surfaces of the drain channel with sufficient space for a backfill of aggregate or other bedding material, such as concrete, as required.

The use of modular sidewall segments as described above enables quick and convenient customisation of the drain channel to fit different types of ground trench. For example, where a ground trench is required to be particularly deep due to certain ground conditions or to provide additional capacity, for example, an installer is able to adjust the depth of the drain channel by adding or removing the modular wall segments in order that the drain channel correctly fits the ground trench. This avoids the need for additional ground works and/or maintaining a stock of drain channels that have different depths. Another use is to allow the depth of the drain to be adjusted after installation such that if the finishing substrate is replaced or repaired sometime after the installation of the drain, the drain may be modified rather than being replaced or re-set.

The example of Figure 1 shows the drain channel being extended by two modular sidewall segments 104a,b, but this should not be seen as being limiting the number and size of the segments 104a,b may be any required. Further, the modular sidewall segments 104a,b are shown as extending the full length of the gulley, but this need not be the case and the segments 104a,b may be shorter or longer than a particular gulley section so as to allow bridging between two adjacent gulley sections.

Figure 2 shows the drain channel 101 without modular sidewall segments attached (i.e. only the elongate channel/gulley/gulley channel). The elongate channel may comprise attachment surfaces in the form of distal upwardly facing surfaces 107a and 107b, (distal being in relation to the base of the channel) which provide the terminal edge of the gulley sidewalls. Hence, the modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b may be attached to distal upwardly facing surfaces 107a and 107b of the gulley sidewalls 103a, 103b. The attachment surfaces may extend for the full length of the gulley channel and may extend laterally to provide a planar attachment surface against which the modular sidewall segments 104a,b can be stably mounted. The attachments surfaces are shown as being in a common plane. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of attachment surfaces shown is not limiting and in some embodiments may be non-planar, non-continuous along the length of the drain channel, e.g. castellated, or longitudinally curved. Further, the opposing attachment surfaces may not reside in the same plane with either or both being angled with respect to the plane defined by the respective terminal ends of the drain channel. Additionally, the attachment surfaces may comprise one or more attachment features, as described below.

With continued reference to both Figures 1 and 2, and additionally Figure 3 showing a side view of the drain channel, each of the modular sidewall segments 104a,b may be attached via one or more gulley wall attachments 108. The gulley wall attachments 108 and modular sidewall segment attachments 208 may comprise a mechanical coupling.

The mechanical coupling may be mechanically engaged, for example, by hand rather than by being thermally or chemically attached, for example by welding or adhering. However, it will be appreciated that the joint between the gulley and/or modular sidewall segments may be additionally welded, sealed or glued.

The mechanical coupling may be a two part coupling in which a first part or a second part are attached together to provide the assembly, typically by one part being inserted into or around the other.

There may be a plurality of mechanical couplings distributed along the length of the drain channel to provide the necessary structural rigidity for installation and in-service use of the drain channel. Thus, as can be seen in the chosen embodiment, there are a plurality of attachment points 108 distributed along the length of the channel. The attachment points 108,208 may be evenly distributed so as to be uniformly distributed, however, this should not be seen as a limitation.

As shown in the figures, the gulley wall attachments 108 may comprise a male-female coupling. That is to say, the gulley wall attachments 108 may comprise either a female or a male coupling that is configured for attachment with a corresponding male or female coupling respectively located on a modular sidewall segment 104a, 104b.

Each male-female coupling 108 may comprise a slot 110 (visible in Figure 2) which extends laterally into either the modular sidewall segment or the gulley sidewall (as per the example of Figure 2). The other of the modular sidewall segment 104a, 104b and gulley sidewall 103a, 103b may comprise a key 109 (visible in Figure 3) which is sized to be snugly received laterally within the slot 110. The slot may extend into the attachment surface, e.g. the distal upwardly facing surface, from an outer peripheral edge such that the modular sidewall segment is inserted inwardly toward the centre of the channel. This is advantageous as it allows the channel to be backfilled following installation in the ground trench without disturbing the position of the sidewall relative to the gulley. If the slot extended from the inner surface of the respective wall segment, the pressure generated from backfilling may dislodge or unseat the modular sidewall segment.

In the example shown in the figures, each modular sidewall segment 104a, 104b comprise a T-shaped key 109 that is sized to be snugly received within the slots 110 of gulley wall attachments 108. Therefore, a user attaches the modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b to the gulley wall attachments 108 by laterally sliding the T-shaped keys of the relevant sidewall segment into the slot provided by the gulley wall attachment. The male-female coupling is not limited to the specific key and slot described with reference to the figures. Different types of coupling and shapes of keys/slots are contemplated.

Use of a key and slot as described above enables easy and rapid attachment of modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b to gulley sidewalls 103a, 103b whilst providing an attachment that is sealed sufficiently to prevent any significant leakage of fluid out of the drain channel. Furthermore, the interior surfaces of the gulley 102 and sidewall segments 104a, 104b can remain flush together without additional components therein, thereby avoiding any obstruction for fluid flowing within the drain channel.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the drain channel may further comprise a plurality of ribs 111 extending downwardly from the distal upwardly facing surfaces 107a, 107b.

Adjacent ribs 111 may define a gap for providing a male-female coupling such as slots 110. Adjacent ribs 111 may also provide surfaces for the keys 109 to fit snugly between the ribs 111 as is particularly visible in Figure 3. The ribs 111 may also provide additional strengthening support to the elongate channel 101. The modular wall segments 104a, 104b may also include ribs 222 mirroring the ribs extending downwards from the distal surfaces 107a, 107b and keys 109 on the modular wall segments 104a, 104b may extend from between adjacent of the ribs 222.

The description hereinbefore relates to a drain channel including an elongate channel 101 and a pair of modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b. However, as exemplified by Figures 1 to 3, the drain channel may comprise a stack of modular sidewall segments on one or both of the gulley sidewalls 103a, 103b.

With reference to Figure 3, an additional modular sidewall segment 204a is stacked on top of modular sidewall segment 104a. These modular sidewall segments 104a, 204a are attached together using one or more modular wall attachment points 208. The modular wall attachment points 208 may be a male-female coupling in accordance with the gulley wall attachment points 108 discussed above. It is convenient, but not essential, for the wall attachment points 208 and gulley attachment points 108 to be the same, in order that the location of modular wall segments is easily interchangeable. For example, the same modular wall segment could either be located directly on the distal surfaces 107a, 107b (e.g. as per modular wall segment 104a), or, on top of another modular wall segment as part of a stack (e.g. as per modular wall segment 204a). In other words, modular wall segments 104a and 204a may be dimensionally the same.

With reference to Figure 4, a modular wall segment includes modular wall attachment points 208 that mirror the gulley wall attachment points 108 thereby enabling additional modular wall segments of the same construction to be stacked on top of the shown modular wall segment.

The modular wall segments 104a, 104b, 204a may be detachably attached to the gulley sidewalls 103a, 103b, and/or other modular wall segments such that they can eb attached and removed one or more times The multiple modular wall segments 104a, 104b, 204a, may be placed longitudinally adjacent to one another along the length of the elongate channel 101.

The interchangeable nature of the modular wall segments discussed above enables a user to easily configure a drain channel to have a desired depth out of a range of possible depths by varying the number of modular wall segments that are stacked on top of one another. The key and slot coupling provides sufficient rigidity and strength of attachment between modular wall segments and the elongate channel 101. Furthermore, a manufacturer is able to mass-produce modular wall segments and elongate drainage channels for supplying users with kits that enable convenient customisation on-site to a user's particular requirements. This is in contrast to manufactured drainage channels of defined depths that necessitate complex adjustment of ground trenches or additional manufacturing of drainage channels to a particular specification.

With continued reference to Figure 3, the drain channel may comprise at least one secondary fixing 209 securing the modular sidewall segment 104a to the gulley sidewall 103a. The secondary fastener may strengthen the attachment between the different respective segments. For example, the secondary fixing may clamp the different segments together and/or may prevent lateral or other movement which may de-couple the attachment/mechanical coupling. The secondary fixing may be a mechanical fixing such as a clamp, clip or fastener.

The secondary fixing 209 may be a threaded fastener such as a self-tapping screw.

The secondary fixing 209 may be also utilised to secure stacked modular wall segments 104a, 204a together. The secondary fixing 209 may semi-permanently or permanently attach the drain channel/modular wall segments together and restrict lateral motion between the components. The secondary fixing 209 may be located in between ribs 111 and 222. The secondary fixing 109 may extend through a plurality of modular sidewall segments. Hence, as shown, the secondary fixing extends through an upper modular sidewall segment into a lower modular sidewall segment and/or the gulley sidewall.

With continued reference to Figures 3 and 4 each modular sidewall segment 104a, 104b may comprise an upper flange 210 and a lower flange 211, defining an upper surface and a lower surface for mating with the gulley wall 103a, 103b respectively. The lower flange 211 may also be suitable for mating with an upper surface of another modular sidewall segment (e.g if multiple modular sidewall segments are stacked). Each of the modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b may comprise a plurality of ribs 222 extending between the upper and lower flanges. The ribs of the sidewall segments may conform with ribs 111 of the elongate channel 101 (ribs 111 extending downwardly from the distal surfaces 107a, 107b).

With reference to Figures 1 and 3, one of the modular sidewall segments may comprise a rim member 301 attached to an upper edge of the drain channel (e.g. either the gulley walls 103a, 103b, or, the top surface of an uppermost modular sidewall segment 204a in a stack of modular sidewall segments). The rim member may be configured to receive a grate (not shown) in use. The rim member 301 may utilise the same male-female attachment points as discussed above with respect to the modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b and gulley walls 103a, 103b or may be attached in a different way, such as a one or more studs received within corresponding apertures. The rim member 301 enables for any modular sidewall segment 104a, 104b, 204a to be utilised as a "topmost" modular sidewall segment by effectively providing an adaptor for fitting a grate above the gulley (i.e. across the opening to the drain channel). The grate prevents excessive solid matter from entering the drain channel and causing blockages. The rim member may be metallic.

With reference to Figure 1, the elongate channel 101 may comprise strengthening members 105 that extend outwardly from the gulley 102 and gulley sidewalls 103a, 103b in order to provide additional strength and enable a more secure fitment into the surrounding ground.

With reference to Figure 5 there is shown a drain channel additionally including an optional end panel 301. The end panel 301 includes removable tabs 302a and 302b for removal in order to conform the size of the end panel to the transverse cross-sectional profile of the entire drain channel. The end panel may be supplied as a separate component that is attachable at an end point of the drain channel, for example, where the gully is to be terminated. The end panel 301 may include a pipe opening 303 for connection to an underground pipe network or other ancillary features as well known in the art.

The various parts of the drain channel may be fabricated using known techniques and materials, such as blown moulded plastic.

In use, the ground in which the drain is to be situated would be prepared and the required height of the drain channel determined. The drain channel may then be assembled by selecting the required sidewall segment or segments for each gulley sidewall and attaching them via the attachment points 108. As shown in the drawings, the attachment points 108 may be provided by slots extending into the attachment surface from an outer peripheral edge. Once inserted, the drain channel may be placed in the ground trench as known in the art.

This disclosure contemplates a kit of parts comprising the discussed elongate channel 101 and a pair of modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b as discussed above. The kit may comprise a plurality of pairs of modular sidewall segments 104a, 104b, each pair having a different extension height. A user is able to select appropriate sidewall segments for forming a drain channel of suitable depth/height.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A drain channel for placing in a ground trench to receive surface water, comprising: an elongate channel having a gulley at a base thereof and opposing gulley sidewalls upstanding from the gulley, and a pair of modular sidewall segments for extending the depth of the drain channel, the modular sidewall segments being attached to the gulley sidewalls and extending upwardly therefrom to define an opening for receiving surface water in use.
2. A drain channel according to claim 1, wherein the modular sidewall segments are attached to a distal upwardly facing surface of the gulley sidewalls.
3. A drain channel according to claim 2, wherein each of the modular sidewall segments are attached via one or more gulley wall attachments.
4. A drain channel according to claim 3, wherein the gulley wall attachments comprise a male-female coupling.
5. A drain channel according to claim 4, wherein each male-female coupling comprises a slot which extends laterally into either the modular sidewall segment or the gulley sidewall, the other of the modular sidewall segment and gulley sidewall comprising key which is sized to be snugly received laterally within the slot.
6. A drain channel according to any of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a plurality of gulley wall attachment points distributed along the length of the gulley sidewalls.
7. A drain channel according to any of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a plurality of ribs extending downwardly from the distal upwardly facing surface towards the base of the drain channel, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of ribs define a gap therebetween in which at least a portion of the key is located.
8. A drain channel according to any preceding claim, further comprising a stack of modular sidewall segments on each of the gulley sidewalls.
9. A drain channel according to claim 8, wherein each stack of modular sidewall segments includes a first modular sidewall segment and a second modular sidewall segment, wherein the first and second modular sidewall segments are attached to one another using one or more modular wall attachment points.
10. A drain channel according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the modular sidewall attachment points are the same as the gulley wall attachment points such that either the first or the second modular sidewall segments may be attached to either the gulley sidewalls or the other of the first or the second modular sidewall segments.
11. A drain channel according to any preceding claim, wherein the modular sidewall segments are detachably attachable to the gulley sidewalls.
12. A drain channel according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one secondary fixing securing the modular sidewall segment to the gulley sidewall.
13. A drain channel according to claim 12, wherein the secondary fixing is a threaded fastener.
14. A drain channel according to claim 13, wherein the threaded fastener is a self-tapping screw.
15. A drain channel according to any preceding claim, wherein each modular sidewall segment comprises an upper flange and a lower flange defining an upper surface and a lower surface for mating with the gulley wall.
16. A drain channel according to claim 15, wherein each modular sidewall segments comprises plurality of ribs extending between the upper and lower flanges.
17. A drain channel according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one modular sidewall segment comprises a rim member attached to an upper edge thereof, the rim member being configured to receive a grate in use.
18. A drain channel according to claim 17, wherein the rim member is attached to the modular sidewall segment via a threaded fixture.
19. A drain channel according to either of claims 17 or 18, wherein the rim member is metallic.
20. A kit of parts comprising: an elongate channel comprising a longitudinal axis, the elongate channel having gulley at a base of the channel and opposing gulley sidewalls upstanding therefrom, and at least one pair of modular sidewall segments for attachment to the gulley sidewalls to extend upwardly therefrom.
21. A kit of parts according to claim 20, comprising a plurality of pairs of modular sidewall segments, each pair of the modular sidewall segments having a different extension height.