US20100089838A1

US20100089838A1 - Floor drain

Info

Publication number: US20100089838A1
Application number: US12/529,530
Authority: US
Inventors: Gert Wilhelm Söderström
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-04
Filing date: 2008-03-03
Publication date: 2010-04-15
Also published as: KR20090127911A; WO2008108692A1; WO2008108706A1; CN101668906A; EP2132384A1; EP2132384A4; TW200902805A

Abstract

Floor drain with water trap including an upper screen (19) or lip and a lower screen or threshold (32) extending to a higher level (29) than the lower edge of the upper screen, and that the water first flow below the upper screen and thereafter over the lower screen. The inlet part before the upper screen has a small cross-section or volume in relation to the water volume between the upper and the lower screen securing an efficient flushing away of light pollutions.

Description

The present invention concerns a closed floor outlet or floor drain and a water seal or trap for floor outlets or floor drains of the kind that is used in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens etc.
A problem at floor drains, that is yet to an unsatisfactory degree considered, is the cleanliness in the floor drain itself. If the floor drain is not kept clean the risk is that in the floor drain organic material is accumulated that is decomposed there and smells. Sedimentation may also occur in the floor drain leading to the clogging of this. Clearing and cleaning with chemical means need to be carried out frequently. The possibilities for cleaning are made difficult by the water trap and the accumulation of organic pollutions is furthered by this.
Water traps are used in floor drains to prevent air and smell from the sewage system from finding their way up into inhabited spaces. In water traps (odor seals) the outflowing water is forced to flow first below a first screen and thereafter over a second screen, the upper edge of which being located higher than the lower edge of the first screen so that remaining water prevents the passage of air.
The two screens or shutters of the water trap also act together to make the clearing of sewage tubes, starting from for instance floor drains, more difficult. In order to solve this problem it is known to arrange with seals provided openings through which a cleaning helix can be pushed in after removal of the seal. These openings are however small and the clearing can be difficult and it may often be very difficult to remove the seals.
One object of the invention is to provide an improved floor drain, that reduce sedimentation and retention of floating matter in the floor drain and that thereby remain more clean and hygienic.
The above object is solved in accordance with claim 1. Since the inlet flow cross section is small the water will have a fair speed when flowing in, which cause light organic pollutions, that are the problem, to be flushed on below the screen or lip projecting downwards from above, then to rise to the surface in the following dammed up part of the water trap. In said dammed up part that preferably has a larger volume the pace will be lower than in the inlet and the organic lighter material can rise to the surface, then to accompany the water that flow over the second, from below protruding, barrier or threshold and over into the outlet. Preferably the entire inside of the floor drain or scupper, but for inlet and outlet, is used as a dammed up water reservoir between inlet and outlet.
It can be mentioned that altogether it is desirable with a large reserve of water in the floor drain so that the water does not evaporate thereby allowing an upward flow of sewage air. Preferred embodiments of the invention thus result in a floor drain that is hygienic and that has less tendency to become clogged than known floor drains and that make full use of the available space for the water trap.
In a further development of the inventive concept water is supplied from for instance a bathtub or washstand via a separate tube, the lower end of which extends down into the water. The large flow quantities and speeds of water from the tub efficiently flush the water trap clean.
A further object of the invention is to considerably facilitate outlet tube clearing at floor drains.
This object is solved in accordance with claim 5. By arranging the outlet water barrier in the form of an insert it is easier to clean the outlet tubes. It also becomes possible to fabricate the floor drain in a practical way. By arranging the outlet as a funnel-like part inside of the floor drains the walls of the outlet constituting the outlet barrier can be drawn up without reducing the available flow cross section, even above the level of the outlet tube and still the light floating material from the entire area of the floor drain (but for the inlet) will be transported to the outlet, there is no barrier in the way. Since the authorities today prescribe a minimum level between the lower inlet barrier or lip and the higher outlet barrier this permits a higher lower barrier and thus also a higher level of the floor drain bottom and a reduceed floor thickness. This in turn means that the new floor drain embodiment can be used in thinner roofs (floors). By furthermore widening the outlet funnel part it may serve as an efficient stop, preventing the insert from being pushed into the outlet and also providing a good grip when the insert is to be removed for cleaning purposes.
Further advantages and characteristics of the invention are apparent from the subclaims and the following description of embodiments of the invention. In this connection FIG. 1 shows a known floor drain, FIG. 2 a floor drain according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3 the stationary or main part of a floor drain, that is mounted or cast integral in the floor, FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively details thereof, FIG. 6 an insert for the establishing of an outlet barrier in a water trap, FIG. 7 the insert in FIG. 6 on its place in a floor drain, FIG. 8 an upper water trap insert with matching clamping ring, FIG. 9 the floor drain with inserted water trap parts, FIGS. 10 and 11 the first water trap barrier in more detail, FIGS. 12-14 different versions of outlet barriers for the water trap in accordance with embodiments of the invention, FIG. 15 a second embodiment of a floor drain main body FIG. 17 the same main body seen from above and FIGS. 16 and 18 details of said main body.
As is apparent from the drawings the fixed main part 1 of the floor drain comprise an upper opening 2 and a circular flange 3 extending radially out from this. Shortly below the opening an inward extending step or shoulder 4 is arranged with a short cylindric wall 5 between the shoulder and the opening. The fixed part 1 of the floor drain tapers with a lower part 6 somewhat down towards a flat bottom 7. Laterally a horizontal tube 8 extends for connection to the sewer system. Above the shoulder, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the cylindrical wall 5, alternating groves 9 and ridges 10 are arranged.
In FIG. 5 is shown how a flooring material 11, for instance in the shape of a plastic flooring or some other sealing layer is arranged on the floor drain and the sealing layer has been folded or formed down into the floor drain so that the bottom side will be in contact with said ridges 9. The plastic flooring material is pressed against the ridges 9 by a clamping ring 12 of rubber, that has been pushed down into the floor drain and that on the inside is supported by a ring 13 of metal or plastic, and that has an L-shaped cross section. The clamping ring 12 is provided with a downwards extending, all around going bead 14, that press downward against a floor drain insert 15 that in turn is pressed against an O-ring arranged in the shoulder. The grid of the floor drain rests on the clamping ring or the support ring of this.
The above described connection to the flooring material 11 guarantees a very good seal. To start with the outer rubber ring of the clamping ring is sealed against the surface of the flooring material and against the floor drain insert 15 lying on the shoulder 4 and thereby preventing water from entering between flooring material and the inside of the floor drain. Furthermore the bead 14 and the pressing of the flooring material against the surrounding ridges 9 secure a sealing that prevents water from entering between floor and flooring material and the floor drain. In other words a two step sealing is achieved. If desired the cylindrical part 5 may be made so that it is inclined slightly inward and upward securing that the clamping ring when mounted is guaranteed to press downward all the time. Alternatively the rubber ring 12 may be shaped with an upper edge that is higher at the outside so that it at movement upward tries to become wider, securing a stable seating and pretension outward and downward.
The support ring comprise on its upper side an horizontal outward directed flange, which serve as a contact part when the clamping ring 12 is pressed down. The clamping ring is after being mounted seated so good that you for its removal at first have to pull up the support ring 13. If the support ring and clamping ring are vulcanized together you may have to destroy the clamping ring to get it loose.
The rubber clamping ring and the support ring may be glued or vulcanized together, but preferably they are separate. When the clamping and sealing rubber ring is mounted this is preferably done with the support ring on its inside. In this way the clamping ring will during the movement downwards be pressed firmly against the floor covering pulling this down firmly against the floor drain housing. When on the other hand the clamping ring is to be removed the support ring is removed first, it is easier to get a grip on, and can take greater pulling forces than the clamping ring. As soon as the support ring is removed the radial pressure on the clamping ring is reduced and the flexible clamping ring can be removed allowing the removal of the floor drain insert. The removal of the clamping ring does thus not have to result in an undesired pulling upwards of the flooring in the floor drain inlet.
If friction alone do not give a sufficient retention between support ring and clamping ring these may be provided with cooperating groves and ridges.
The clamping efficiency or locking force against a thrust upwards of the clamping ring with its support ring is considerable and exceeds that of a man standing on the grating. In FIG. 18 is shown an alternative cross section shape for the upper part of the main body of a floor drain.
In FIG. 10 an inlet insert 15 for the floor drain is shown that comprise an upper funnel like part 16 that in its upper end transcends into flat circular flange 17, intended for instance to be placed below the above mentioned clamping ring 12 with a sealing ring 18 between the flange 17 of the insert 15 and the shoulder 4 (FIG. 5).
The funnel like part 16 of the insert transcends in the lower end into a vertical tube 19 in which an inner tube 20 is displacably arranged and provided with a seat 21 in the upper end and with a ball 22 placed below said seat. The ball and the seat together constitute a non return valve by the ball being filled with air and by the water in the water trap pressing it up against the seat. The ball seat provided tube is displacable height-wise for adjustment so that the ball can be pressed down into the floor drain by the weight of water in the funnel like part without the water having to stand over the edge of the floor drain but is otherwise kept lifted by the water in the floor drain. The inner tube 20 is in its lower end provided with a flange 23 facing outward and preventing the inner tube from being pushed upward out of the outer tube 19 at excess pressures in the sewer system or in the water trap. The inner tube can however be pulled down, to secure the floating of the ball on the water if for instance supplementary rings have been used to raise the top of the floor drain. In this case, distance elements, in the shape of short tube pieces 24, are placed between the outward flange 23 of the inner tube 20 and the lower end of the outer tube 19 to prevent a lifting up of the inner tube. The tube pieces advantageously have the same height as the supplementary rings for the floor drain. A sealing ring is arranged between the vertical tube 19 and the seat provided inner tube 20. In an alternative embodiment the seat may be of elastic material, for instance rubber, and may actually also take care of the sealing between seat and the vertical tube 19.
In an inward widening 25 of the flange 17 with a corresponding recess in the funnel like part a circular grove 26 is arranged and outside of this a downward facing pipe socket 27 is arranged. The material on the inside of the groove can be broken away providing an opening through which, with an intermediate seal, a tube 28 from a washstand, shower, sink or bathtub can be pushed down. This tube is pushed down so that its lower end ends below the water level 29 so that also this connection (tube 28) constitute an upper water trap screen or lip. The water flows directly down into the floor drain on the outlet side of the non return valve constituted by ball and seat. In this way one does not risk flooding of the floor, when for instance water from a bathtub is released. Furthermore this supply of fast flowing water clean the floor drain efficiently. It is of course also possible to integrate a non return valve in the extra inlet from bath tub or wash basin.
In FIG. 6 a part 30 is shown that constitute outlet threshold in the water trap. This threshold part 30 is intended to be pushed into the outlet tube 8 of the floor drain. The threshold part 30 is essentially tube-shaped with a pair of outer sealing rings 31 or beads if the part is made of rubber or other elastic material. In its towards the inner of the floor drain facing end the tube shape transcends into an ending rounded wall 32 that extends up to an opening 33. Water may thus flow over the edge of the opening 33 and out into the outlet and this part constitute together with the downward extending tube part of the funnel-like part a water trap that retain water in the floor drain.
In FIGS. 12 and 13 alternative shapes are shown for the threshold part. The version in FIG. 13 includes a rubber tube 35 provided with sealing flanges and that in its towards the floor drain facing end is semi closed by an end 36 forming the outlet threshold for the water.
By making the threshold part 30 or 35 of rubber or with seals and with appropriate dimensions it may easily be removed when the outlet from the floor drain has to be cleaned up and the cleaning up is in particular facilitated by the entire cross section of the outlet tube becoming accessible.
In FIG. 14 a-g another outlet insert version is shown with a broad slightly flattened funnel part situated inside the floor drain and a tube part provided with a seal. The funnel like part is broader than the cross section of the outlet tube preventing the insert from being pushed out through the outlet and also provide a good grip for removal of the insert for cleaning
By turning the outgoing water trap insert around its axis the water level in the floor drain may be adjusted if so is required in order to achieve the proper function of the non return valve. In particular the versions shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 provide a large degree of height adjustment. A fair volume of water in the floor drain is desired in order to secure that the water trap does not dry out, to which also the non return valve in the shape of ball and seat contribute since there is no open water surface for the water to evaporate from to the surrounding above the floor drain.
Instead of placing the outer flange of inlet funnel shaped part with water trap screen and non return valve below the clamping ring one can consider placing it on top of the clamping ring and held by a second clamping ring. This has the advantage that cleaning can take place without one having to disturb the clamping of the flooring material or the seal therebetween.
In order to enable cleaning without demounting the clamping ring one can consider to arrange an opening with a removable rubber closing in the upper water trap part 15 above the opening 33 in the threshold part 30.
An essential advantage with the above described water trap part is that it can be mounted in many today existing floor drains and scuppers respectively thereby improving the function of these and not least drastically reduce the risk of water damages.
In FIG. 1 a conventional floor drain with an upper lip 50, a lower threshold 51, a dammed up volume 52 in a main floor drain part 53 is shown. Water can flow down into the floor drain from the floor via a grid 54 or from a bathtub via a tube 55. Light pollutions as skin deposits and fat rise to the surface in the dammed up volume 52 and remain as a top layer, while the water without disturbing this layer can flow out below the upper lip 50 and thereafter over the threshold 51.
At the invented floor drain however the light pollutions will due to the water speed be transported past the first lip into the dammed up area where the flow will be slow so that the light pollutions will have time to rise to the surface then to be swept away over the outlet barrier into the outlet keeping the floor drain interior free from organic substances that could otherwise lead to a smelling and unhealthy decomposing in this.
In the bottom 60 of the floor drain (FIGS. 15 and 16) three (may bee more) short tubes or receivers 61 are arranged directed vertically downwards or perhaps diverging somewhat away from each other. These tubes are so dimensioned that plastic tubes 62 of the type that is used for installation of electric leads can be inserted, or concrete pins can be inserted. Preferably the fit of the tubes is such that the height and angle of the floor drain can be adjusted not only by cutting but also by an adjustment of the insertion depth of tubes or pins. To this purpose the short tubes integral with the bottom may be provided with a few inner longitudinal ribs. As an alternative tubes may be arranged on the sides of the floor drain for the insertion of support legs. In this way the adjustment span can be increased and it will not be necessary to cut away short tubes integrated with the bottom of the floor drain if there is no, or very little space available below.
Today the floor drains are often held up by pieces of wood that are placed just below the floor drain before the casting of the concrete. The flow of the concrete may be forceful and can easily sweep away these pieces of wood or other loose distance elements,
Initially a number of objects that floor drains have to fulfill where mentioned, it is however for a good function not only necessary to add these features in any order but they should be related to each other to provide the best performance.
The primary objects of a floor drains is of course to drain away water without allowing bad smell or bacteria in return, preferably even if the drain is not used for a long time. In addition to this it is also desirable that the floor drain is as service free as possible, but if needed can be cleaned with as little trouble and destruction as possible. A further wish is of course that no water should leak into the building. Recently it has become desirable that the floor drain can resist high back pressures in case of gas sabotage against the sewer systems. An efficient rat stop is also a good thing. The non return valve together with the very efficient clamping ring will efficiently prevent sewage water from flowing back into the floor drain contaminating this as well as the floor above the floor drain.
Embodiments of the invented floor drain can fulfill all these requirements.

Claims

1-35. (canceled)

36. A floor drain with water trap including an upper screen or lip and a lower screen or threshold that extends to a higher level than the lower edge of the upper screen, and that the water flow first below the upper screen and then over the lower screen, wherein an inlet part down to the lower edge of the upper screen has a small cross section or volume so that the inlet flow becomes fast to prevent clogging.

37. The floor drain according to claim 36, wherein a damming up space between upper and lower screen is larger than the space for the incoming flow to the first from above downward projecting screen so that light pollutions can rise to the surface and be flushed over the edge of the second from below projecting screen.

38. The floor drain according to claim 37, wherein the damming up space taking up the entire inside of the floor drain but for comparatively narrow inlet and outlet.

39. The floor drain according to claim 36, further including an inlet valve comprising a ball floating on the water in the floor drain and being pressed up by this against a seat, preventing backflow as well as water evaporation from the water trap.

40. A water trap, in particular for floor drains or scuppers, including an upper screen or lip and a lower screen or threshold that extends to a higher level than the lower edge of the upper screen, and that the water from an inlet flow first below the upper screen and then over a lower barrier to the outlet, wherein the outlet a tube, sealed against the outlet tube, is inserted, said inserted tube being provided with a barrier extending from below upward and constituting an outlet barrier of the water trap.

41. The water trap according to claim 40, wherein said inserted tube in the inlet end is closed with a rounded wall and an upward facing opening.

42. The water trap according to claim 41, wherein the tube like insert has a funnel like inlet with an opening facing upward enabling a high level outlet with a large cross section.

43. The water trap according to claim 41, wherein the tube insert has an inner partition that covers a part, for instance one half, of the cross section of said tube.

44. The water trap according to claim 42, wherein the funnel like part is broader than the cross section of the outlet tube preventing the insert from being pushed into the outlet and providing a good grip for removal of the insert.

45. An insert, in particular for insertion in the outlets from floor drains or scuppers, comprising a tube part, with an outer seal for sealing against the inside of an outlet tube, said tube part being provided with a barrier extending from below upward and intended to constitute an outlet barrier of a water trap.

46. The insert according to claim 45, wherein the tube in one end is closed with a rounded wall and an upward facing opening.

47. The insert according to claim 45, wherein the insert has a funnel like inlet with an opening facing upward enabling a high level outlet with a large cross section.

48. The insert according to claim 45, wherein the tube has an inner partition that covers a part, for instance one half, of the cross section of said tube.

49. A method for the providing of a water outlet, scupper or floor drain with a water trap, comprising inserting an insert according to claim 45 into an outlet tube in order to provide this with an outlet threshold or barrier.

50. A method for the cleaning and/or inspection of outlet tubing from a water trap in a water outlet, scupper or floor drain, comprising removal of an outlet insert according to claim 45.

51. An inlet insert for floor drain, scupper or water outlet, wherein the inlet insert comprises a downward extending tube in which sealingly is arranged an inner displacable tube that in its upper end is provided with a seat for a ball arranged below this and that said inner tube is provided with a structure that can prevent its pushing up from different adjustable levels for the seat.

52. The inlet insert according to claim 51, wherein said inner tube in its lower end is provided with an outward directed flange for abutting against the lower end of said downward extending tube or one or several short pieces of tubing with the same diameter as said downward extending tube and serving as a distance pieces between said flange and the lower end of said downward extending tube.

53. The inlet insert according to claim 52, wherein the distance pieces have the same height as extension rings for floor drains or scuppers.

54. A floor drain, water trap or scupper having an inlet insert in accordance with claim 51.

55. A clamping structure for the fixing of a flooring or sealing membrane against the inner sides of a floor drain, scupper or water outlet, comprising a resilient clamping ring of rubber or the like arranged to press a flooring edge or an inner edge of a sealing membrane toward an inner edge of the floor drain, said clamping ring being on its inside provided with a supporting ring of essentially unyielding material, for instance metal or plastic.

56. The clamping structure according to claim 55, wherein the support ring is provided with an upper outward directed flange, for instance giving it an L-shaped cross section.

57. The clamping structure according to claim 55, wherein the clamping ring has a bead extending downward for sealing against the upper side of a lateral flange on an insert for instance constituting an upper or inlet water trap part or against a shoulder on the inside of a floor drain, scupper or floor outlet.

58. The clamping structure according to claim 55, wherein the support ring and clamping ring being separate parts allowing in particular a releasing of the clamping ring by first removing the support ring.

59. A floor drain, provided with a clamping ring according to claim 55.

60. A floor drain, scupper or other outlet for water, provided with vertical tube like receivers or the like on the bottom or at the sides either for support directly on a casting panel for the floor/roof or for the insertion of support extensions into the receivers.

61. A floor drain, scupper or other water outlet, according to claim 69, wherein the support extensions are plastic tubes, for instance tubes of the type used for electric leads in roof or walls or alternatively concrete pins.

62. A method for the adjustment of the level and inclination of floor drains, scuppers or other outlets for water in accordance with claim 60 before casting of the surrounding concrete, wherein the tube like receivers are shortened in themselves to a sufficient measure or that tubes or pins that are inserted into the receivers are adjusted to their length and/or insertion depth into the receivers.

63. A floor drain comprising an outlet insert in accordance with claim 46 and an inlet insert comprising a downward extending tube in which sealingly is arranged an inner displacable tub that in its upper end is provided with a seat for a ball arranged below this and that said inner tube is provided with a structure that can prevent its pushing up from different adjustable levels for the seat.

64. The floor drain according to claim 63, further comprising a water trap including an upper screen or lip and a lower screen or threshold that extends to a higher level than the lower edge of the upper screen, and that the water flow first below the upper screen and then over the lower screen, wherein an inlet part down to the lower edge of the upper screen has a small cross section or volume so that the inlet flow becomes fast to prevent clogging.

65. The floor drain in accordance with claim 63, and further comprising a non-return valve in the inlet including a floating ball and a seat above this.

66. The floor drain according to claim 64, and further comprising a non-return valve in the inlet including a floating ball and a seat above this.

67. A floor drain comprising a clamping ring according to claim 55, and further including a non-return valve in the inlet including a floating ball and a seat above this.

68. A floor drain comprising a water trap inlet part provided with structure that allow the insertion of an additional connection, from for instance bathtub, shower or washstand, that can be sufficiently pushed down to constitute a first upper screen of a water trap function.

69. A floor drain, wherein a seal is arranged between a shoulder or the like in the floor drain and an all around going flange on an inlet part of the water trap.