NZ779405A - Drain - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A drain (2) formed by extrusion to include a tray (6) and side walls (7), the tray (6) having a sloping profile (23) to direct water in a flow path away from the side walls (7) of the drain (2).

Description

DRAIN Field of the Invention The present relates to a drain particularly but not ively a linear drain.

Background of the Invention A linear drain includes a flat rectangular body with shear vertical side and end walls and an outlet in a base of the body. The drain is recessed into a floor so that water from the floor can flow into the drain and through the outlet. A grate sits inside the drain, generally flush with the floor to present a substantially continuous or seamless aesthetic. Such a drain is commonly used in bathrooms and other wet areas to provide a neat and stylish finish.

Object of the Invention The present invention seeks to provide an improved drain.

Summary of the Invention In one , there is provided a drain formed by extrusion to include a tray and side walls, the tray having a sloping profile to direct water in a flow path away from the side walls of the drain.

In one embodiment an upper e of the tray extends away from a respective side wall at an obtuse angle.

In one ment, the sloping profile forms a l in an upper e of the tray.

In one embodiment, the channel has an inverted v-shape.

In one embodiment, the channel has a reverse pitch in the order of 1 degree.

In one embodiment, the tray includes a notch running lengthwise of the drain, the notch functioning as a score line to identify the positioning of an outlet hole.

In one embodiment, the drain includes shoulders projecting outwardly of the 40 side walls.

In one embodiment, each shoulder is formed by a leg which extends away from the tive side wall and in spaced relation to define a recess between the side wall and the associated leg.

In one embodiment, the drain further includes a clip structure for attaching a drain outlet to the tray.

In once embodiment, the clip structure is provided in the recess between the respective ll and associated leg.

In one embodiment, the clip structure is formed by a detent which extends laterally of the recess.

In one embodiment, the detent extends from the leg and is provided toward a remote end of the leg.

In another aspect, there is ed an outlet which includes a drain pipe and a mounting, the mounting having a clip assembly to attach the outlet to the drain, as described above.

In one embodiment, the mounting is formed of a base which fits against an underside of the tray when the clip assembly is engaged with the drain.

In one ment, the base and clip assembly are integrally formed by extrusion and the drain pipe is welded into an opening cut into the base.

In once embodiment, the drain pipe has an end that stands proud of the base to register and insert in an outlet hole formed in the tray when the clips connect the outlet to the drain.

In one embodiment, the clip assembly is formed of two elongate clips extending along opposite sides of the base, the clips being arranged to be inserted into a respective recess formed in an underside of the tray to engage clip structure in the recess, in order to secure the outlet to the drain.

In another aspect, there is provided a drain assembly including the drain and outlet, as bed above, n the outlet connects into an outlet hole formed in the drain.

In one embodiment, the drain assembly r includes a grate which sits inside the tray of the drain.

In one embodiment, the drain assembly further includes end caps with tabs 40 that insert between retaining fingers formed on the side walls, to close ends of the drain.

In another aspect, there is provided a drain formed by extrusion to include a tray and side walls, ing shoulders ting outwardly of the side walls to anchor the drain in tile adhesive.

In another aspect, there is provided a drain formed by extrusion to include a tray and side walls, an underside of the drain including clip structure to attach an outlet and secure a drain pipe of the outlet in an hole formed in the tray.

In one embodiment, the drain r includes shoulders projecting outwardly of the side walls, wherein the clip structure is provided in an associated recess formed between each shoulder and the respective side wall.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the following gs, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric exploded view a drain ly; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a channel of the drain assembly; Figure 3 in an end view of the channel; Figure 4 is an end view of ed detail E, shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the channel being drilled; Figure 6 is an isometric view of an end cap of the drain assembly; Figure 7 is an isometric view of grate of the drain assembly; Figure 8 is a sectional view of the drain assembly; Figure 9 is an isometric view of an outlet; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing enlarged detail P of Figure 9; s 11 to 13 are cross-sectional views showing stages of connection between the outlet to the channel; Figure 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the channel and grate fixed in a floor; and Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly in the floor.

Detailed Description Figure 1 shows a drain assembly 1 as including a drain 2, an outlet 3, a grate 4 and an end cap 5.

The drain 2 includes a tray 6 and side walls 7. The grate 4 sits inside the drain 2 and has feet 8 to support the grate 4 on the tray 6 so that a top surface 9 of the grate 4 ntially aligns with the top 10 of the side walls The outlet 3 includes a base 11 which clips onto the drain 2 and a drain pipe 12 which fits in an outlet hole 13 formed in the tray 6.

The end cap 5 slots into the side walls 7 to close an end 14 of the drain 2. A corresponding end cap (not shown) is used to close an opposite end of the drain.

Figure 2 shows the drain 2 as having ers 15 which project outwardly of the side walls 7.

The shoulders 15 are illustrated in more detail in Figure 3. Each shoulder 15 is formed as a leg 16 which extends away from and in spaced on to the respective side wall 7 in order to define a recess 18 between the side wall 7 and the associated leg 16.

Clip structure 19 is provided in each recess 18 in the form of a detent 20 which projects laterally into the recess 18. The detent 20 is provided toward a remote end 21 of the leg 16 but may instead positioned at any other preferred location on the leg 16 or alternatively project into the recess 18 from the side wall 7 itself.

Each side wall 7 also includes retaining fingers 21 that define an insertion slot 22 on the inside of the side walls 7.

Figure 3 shows the tray 6 as having a sloped profile 23 to direct water in a flow path away from the side walls 7 of the drain 2. The profile 23 es two angled sections 24 which form a channel 25 in an upper surface 26 of the tray 6, to direct water flow into the centre 27 of the tray 6. The angled sections 24 extend away from the respective side wall 7 at an obtuse angle to meet at a reverse pitch angle in the order of 1 degree.

The angled sections 24 are linear however the profile 23 of the tray 6 may, for example, be curved or of any other le shape for forming a channel to direct flow of water over the upper surface 26 of the tray.

An underside 28 of the tray 6 is substantially flat and, in use, arranged to be ntal. The underside includes a notch 29 which is shown in Figure 4 to have an included angle 30 in the order of 120 degrees, although other angles may be used.

As shown in Figure 5, the notch 29 serves as a convenient score line 31 to identify the positioning of the outlet hole 13 and to locate a drill bit 32 of a drill 33, in order to reliably centre the drill bit 32 for the formation of the outlet hole 13, using a drill mounted cutter (not shown).

Figure 6 shows the end cap 5 as including a rectangular shaped panel 34 with projecting tabs 35. The tabs 35 project from the panel 34 at right angles and have a reduced height dimension relative to the panel 34. The width and height dimension of the panel matches the drain 2 of Figures 1 to 5 so as to neatly close off the end 14 of the drain 2 when fitted in place.

Figure 7 shows the grate 4 as having a series of drainage slots 36 in the top surface 9 and drainage ports 37 in the sides 38, above the feet 8.

Figure 8 shows the drain assembly 1 in cross-section, with the grate 4 resting on the tray 6. Arrows 39, 40 indicate the flow path of water falling on the drain assembly, with arrows 39 representing the flow path of the water through the ge slots 36 and and arrows 40 showing the flow path of water that falls between the grate 4 and the side walls 7 of drain 2. The sloped profile 23 of the tray 6 funnels the water into the channel 25 at the centre of the tray 6.

The outlet 3 is shown attached to the drain 2 so that an upper end 41 of the drain pipe 12 projects into the outlet hole 13. The tabs 35 of the end cap 5 are inserted between the fingers 31 to close the drain 2.

The base 11 of the outlet 3 is shown in more detail in Figure 9, as including a clip assembly 42 formed of two te clips 43 extending along te sides 44 of the base 11. The base 11 and clip assembly 42 are preferably integrally formed by ion and the drain pipe 12 is welded into an g 45 cut into the base 11 so that the upper end 41 of the drain pipe 12 stands proud of the base 11.

In Figure 10, the connection of the clip ly 42 and the drain 2 is 40 shown in more detail, where the clip 43 is engaged with the detent 20. The clip 43 is engaged only when the upper end 41 of the drain pipe 12 is received in the outlet hole 13 and the base 11 of the outlet 3 is abutting the underside 28 of the drain 2 to ensure close fit between the outlet 3 and the drain 2. In practice, sealant material would firstly be laid on the base 11 to ensure the connection is waterproof.

Figure 11 illustrates a first step of attaching the outlet 3 to the drain 2, where the upper end 41 of the drain pipe 12 is aligned with the outlet hole 13 and the clip assembly 42 is likewise aligned with the recess 18 defined by the respective shoulders 15 of the drain 2, after which the outlet 3 is inserted in a direction indicated by arrows 46.

Figure 12 shows the outlet 3 in l contact with the drain 2, where the upper end 41 of the drain pipe 12 is registered with and lly ed in the outlet hole 13. In that position, chamfered surfaces 47, 48 of the clip 43 and detent 20 are abutting while the base 11 of the outlet 3 is still in spaced relation to the tray 6.

Once further re is applied, the chamfered surfaces 47, 48 deflect and ride over each other until the clip 43 passes the detent 20. The clip 43 and/ or detent 20 then spring back into position such that the clip 43 is then locked in place on top of the detent 20, as shown in Figure 13. In that position, the upper end 41 of the drain pipe 12 is fully inserted in the outlet hole 13 and the base 11 is in adjoining relation to the tray 6.

Figure 14 shows the drain 2 fixed in a floor 49. The floor 49 includes a substrate 50, a layer of tile adhesive 51 or the like, and tiles 52 set in the tile adhesive 51 to be substantially level with a top 10 of the side walls 7 of the drain 2. ne sealant or similar must be used along the underside of drain The shoulders 15 lock the drain 2 in the tile adhesive 51 and prevent the drain 2 lifting out of the tile adhesive 51. Prior art drains with straight or sheer side walls can lift or be displaced out of the floor as a result of being regularly stepped on since the sheer walls do not provide any grip for the tile adhesive to lock onto. If the prior art drains lift or separate from the tile adhesive, resultant water leakage ms may also arise due to water ng between the drain and the grout. The drain 2 of Figure 14 avoids that problem by reliably locking the drain 2 into the tile adhesive 51. Silicone sealant must be applied along the entire length of the drain between the top of side walls 10 and the tiles 52.

For installation purposes, the drain 2 may be positioned in the floor 49 in two different ways. One way is to install the drain 2 during the tile laying process with tile adhesive, as shown. Another way is to preform a bed of sand and cement with an exact gap left for the width of the drain 2. The drain 2 is then 40 installed with silicone once the sand and cement bed is dry.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the entire drain assembly 1, again showing the shoulders 15 which lock the drain 2 into the tile adhesive 51.

Figure 15 more clearly shows the recess 18 defined n the shoulders and the side walls 7, which receives the clip assembly 42 for secure and sealed connection of the outlet 3.

The tray 6 is also shown as having sloped profile 23 which directs water away from the side walls 7 and into the central channel 25 to improve drainage and prevent water pooling in the drain 2. In the prior art, extruded drains have flat trays t a sloping profile so water can collect along the length and width of the drain without proper drainage, which may cause sanitary issues as a result of stagnant water being left in the drain. The drain 2 of the t invention enhances drainage as a result of the sloping profile 23 channeling water into the centre of the drain 2.

The drain 2 is formed by extrusion so the sloped profile 23 is integrated into the structure of the tray 6 as the drain 2 is produced. The drain 2 can then be cut to any desired . The notch 29 is also formed as the drain 2 is manufactured as a convenient guide for a drill bit 32 to be placed at the correct location for the outlet hole 13 to be le positioned and drilled.

The shoulders 15 and clip structure 19 are also formed during the extrusion process to allow the drain 2 to be securely embedded in tile adhesive 51 or the like and the outlet 3 to be securely clipped to the drain 2.

It should be appreciated the drain 2 may be manufactured with any one or more of the the es of either the sloping profile 23, shoulders 15 and/or clip structure 19 either individually or in combination in order to e the associated advantages.

The drain 2 and base 11 of the outlet 3 are preferably formed of aluminium however any other suitable extruded material may be used instead, as appropriate. 1 The

Claims (11)

Claims

1. A drain formed by extrusion to include a tray and side walls, the tray having a sloping profile to direct water in a flow path away from the side walls of the drain.

2. The drain of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the tray extends away from a respective side wall at an obtuse angle.

3. The drain of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sloping profile forms a channel in 10 an upper e of the tray.

4. The drain of claim 3, wherein the channel has an inverted v-shape.

5. The drain of claim 4, wherein the channel has a reverse pitch in the order 15 of 1 degree.

6. The drain of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tray includes a notch running lengthwise of the drain, the notch functioning as a score line to identify the positioning of an outlet hole.

7. The drain of any one of claims 1 to 6, including shoulders projecting outwardly of the side walls.

8. The drain of claim 7, n each shoulder is formed by a leg which 25 extends away from the respective side wall and in spaced relation to define a recess between the side wall and the associated leg.

9. The drain of any one of claims 1 to 8, r ing a clip structure for attaching a drain outlet to the tray.

10.The drain of claim 8 and 9, wherein the clip structure is provided in the recess between the respective sidewall and associated leg. 11.The drain of claim 10, wherein the clip ure is formed by a detent 35 which extends laterally of the recess. 12.The drain of claim 11, n the detent extends from the leg and is provided toward a remote end of the leg. 40 13.An outlet which includes a drain pipe and a mounting, the mounting having a clip assembly to attach the outlet to the drain of claim 1. 1 14.The outlet of claim 13, wherein the mounting is formed of a base which fits against an underside of the tray when the clip assembly is engaged with the drain. 5 15.The outlet of claim 14, wherein the base and clip assembly are integrally formed by extrusion and the drain pipe is welded into an g cut into the base. 16.The outlet of claim 14 or 15, wherein the drain pipe has an end that 10 stands proud of the base to register and insert in an outlet hole formed in the tray when the clips connect the outlet to the drain. 17.The outlet of claim 16, wherein the clip assembly is formed of two elongate clips extending along opposite sides of the base, the clips 15 being arranged to be inserted into a respective recess formed in an underside of the tray to engage clip structure in the recess, in order to secure the outlet to the drain. 18.A drain assembly including the drain of claim 1 and the outlet of claim 13, 20 wherein the outlet connects into an outlet hole formed in the drain. 19.The drain assembly of claim 18, further ing a grate which sits inside the tray of the drain. 25 20.The drain assembly of claim 19, further including end caps with tabs that insert between retaining fingers formed on the side walls, to close ends of the drain. 21.A drain formed by extrusion to include a tray and side walls, including 30 shoulders projecting outwardly of the side walls to anchor the drain in tile 22.A drain formed by extrusion to include a tray and side walls, an underside of the drain including clip structure to attach an outlet and 35 secure a drain pipe of the outlet in an hole formed in the tray. 23.The drain of claim 22, further including ers projecting outwardly of the side walls, wherein the clip structure is ed in an associated recess formed between each shoulder and the respective side wa

11. 11. 11.ll. A drain (2) formed by extrusion to include a tray (6) and side walls (7), the tray (6) having a sloping profile (23) to direct water in a flow path away from the side walls (7) of the drain (2). ///S<; /@7.. _ DETAIL 30 _ PHé'L _ FIG IS