U.S. patent application number 13/862939 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-15 for water drainage system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Christopher Murphy. Invention is credited to Christopher Murphy.
Application Number | 20140131996 13/862939 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50680993 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140131996 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murphy; Christopher |
May 15, 2014 |
Water Drainage System
Abstract
The current invention discloses a water drainage system designed
for securing a waterproof membrane as well as centering a
wastewater pipe. The water drainage system has a coupling mechanism
including a lower drain body and a pipe-capturing member. The lower
drain body may be installed in a substrate medium, such as a shower
pan, onto which a waterproof membrane would be fixed. The
pipe-capturing member has two frusto-conical designs which allow
the pipe-capturing member to be firmly asserted into the lower
drain body and at the same time center and secure the wastewater
pipe. The pipe-capturing member and the lower drain body each has a
flange wherein the two flanges trap and secure the waterproof
member in place. Additional structures such as a drain trim holder
may also be adopted to allow easier adjustment. The current
invention is particularly useful for shower pan drainage.
Inventors: |
Murphy; Christopher;
(Roseland, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Murphy; Christopher |
Roseland |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50680993 |
Appl. No.: |
13/862939 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61624130 |
Apr 13, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/136.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 5/0409
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/136.1 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/22 20060101
E03C001/22 |
Claims
1. A water drainage system to secure a wastewater pipe and a
waterproof membrane, comprising: a lower drain body encircling a
receiving hole having a first diameter, a top part of the lower
drain body being a lower drain flange that extends radially
outwardly, the lower drain flange having an upper surface sloped to
the center of the receiving hole, the lower drain body further
having a cylindrical section below the lower drain flange; a
pipe-capturing member having a generally tubular section encircling
a pipe hole and a top flange that extends radially outward, the
tubular section having an exterior diameter and an interior
diameter, the top flange being positioned on top of the tubular
section; wherein the tubular section of the pipe-capturing member
is inserted into the receiving hole of the lower drain body, and
the top flange has a sloped lower surface, the sloped lower surface
is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the lower drain
flange.
2. The water drainage system of claim 1, wherein the exterior
diameter of the tubular section is tapered and decreases from top,
defined as the part closer to the top flange, to bottom, allowing
the pipe-capturing member to be inserted into receiving hole of the
lower drain body, and the interior diameter of the tubular section
is tapered and increases from top to bottom, allowing the
pipe-capturing member to secure and center a waste water pipe.
3. The water drainage system of claim 2, wherein the tubular
section of the pipe-capturing member has a maximum exterior
diameter substantially equal to the first diameter of the receiving
hole, and the tapered exterior surface permits application of a
chemical bonding adhesive without causing squeezing away of the
adhesive when the tubular section is inserted into the receiving
hole.
4. The water drainage system of claim 2, wherein the tubular
section of the pipe-capturing member has a minimum interior
diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the waste
water pipe, and the tapered interior surface permits application of
a chemical bonding adhesive without causing squeezing away of the
adhesive when the waste water pipe is inserted into the pipe hole
of the pipe-capturing member.
5. The water drainage system of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical
section of the lower drain body has a lower part that has a
threaded exterior surface, defining a threaded section.
6. The water drainage system of claim 5, further comprising an
anchoring nut having a threaded interior, the anchoring nut being
fastened to the threaded section of the lower drain body for the
purpose of securing the lower drain body to a substrate.
7. The water drainage system of claim 1, wherein the top flange of
the pipe-capturing member has an upper interior edge, the upper
interior edge is shaped as a radial chamfer, forming a funnel
shape, there are integral weeping holes through the pipe-capturing
member, the weeping holes having openings on the radial chamfer of
the upper interior edge of the pipe-capturing member and having an
angle to facilitate draining into the pipe hole, and the integral
weeping holes in the pipe-capturing member are substantially
parallel to the top surface of the upper flange of the pipe
capturing member.
8. The water drainage system of claim 1, further comprising a
substrate medium surrounding the lower drain body, the substrate
medium has a top surface and the top surface slopes to a lowest
middle point, wherein the lowest middle point in the substrate
medium coincides with the location of an inlet of a wastewater
pipe
9. The water drainage system of claim 8, further comprising a drain
trim holder having horizontal saw tooth exterior walls, square
tooth interior walls, and a flat bottom surface, the drain trim
holder being positioned above the pipe-capturing member.
10. The water drainage system of claim 11, further comprising a
drain plate and mounting screws, wherein the drain plate being
positioned over the drain trim holder, there are vertical holes on
the pipe-capturing member, and the mounting screws connect the
drain trim holder to the pipe-capturing member by insertion into
the vertical holes.
11. The water drainage system of claim 10, wherein there are screw
holes on the drain trim holder for the insertion of the mounting
screws, the screw holes being substantially bigger than the
diameter of the mounting screws, allowing limited re-positioning of
the drain plate.
12. A water drainage system to secure a wastewater pipe and a
waterproof membrane, comprising a lower drain body encircling a
receiving hole having a generally uniform first diameter, a top
part of the lower drain body being a lower drain flange that
extends radially outwardly, the lower drain flange having an upper
surface sloped to the center of the receiving hole, the lower drain
body further having a cylindrical section below the lower drain
flange; a pipe-capturing member having a generally tubular section
encircling a pipe hole and a top flange that extends radially
outward, the tubular section has an exterior diameter and an
interior diameter, the top flange being positioned on top of the
tubular section and having a sloped lower surface, the sloped lower
surface is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the lower
drain flange; an anchoring nut; a drain trim holder; and a drain
plate; wherein the exterior diameter of the tubular section is
tapered and decreases from top, defined as the part closer to the
top flange, to bottom, allowing the pipe-capturing member to be
inserted into the receiving hole of the lower drain body, the
interior diameter of the tubular section is tapered and increases
from top to bottom, allowing the pipe-capturing member to secure
and center a waste water pipe inserted into the pipe hole, the top
flange of the pipe-capturing member and the lower drain flange of
the lower drain body hold flush and secure the waterproof membrane,
which covers a substrate medium, the anchoring nut is attached to
the cylindrical section of the lower drain body, the drain trim
holder is positioned above the pipe-capturing member, and the drain
plate covers the drain trim holder.
13. The water drainage system of claim 12, wherein: the top flange
of the pipe-capturing member has an upper interior edge, the upper
interior edge is shaped as a radial chamfer, forming a funnel
shape, and there are integral weeping holes the pipe-capturing
member, the weeping holes having openings on the radial chamfer of
the upper interior edge of the pipe-capturing member and having an
angle to facilitate draining into the pipe hole.
14. The water drainage system of claim 13, wherein: the tubular
section of the pipe-capturing member has a maximum exterior
diameter substantially equal to the first diameter of the receiving
hole, and the tapered exterior surface permits application of a
chemical bonding adhesive without causing squeezing away of the
adhesive when the tubular section is inserted into the receiving
hole.
15. The water drainage system of claim 14, wherein: the cylindrical
section of the lower drain body has a lower part that has a
threaded exterior surface, defining a threaded section, and the
anchoring nut has a threaded interior, the anchoring nut being
fastened to the threaded section of the lower drain body for the
purpose of securing the lower drain body to a substrate.
16. A water drainage system to secure a wastewater pipe and a
waterproof membrane, comprising: a lower drain body encircling a
receiving hole having a generally uniform first diameter, a top
part of the lower drain body being a lower drain flange that
extends radially outwardly, the lower drain flange having an upper
surface sloped to the center of the receiving hole, the lower drain
body further having a cylindrical section below the lower drain
flange; an outer capturing member having an outer capturing member
tubular section encircling an outer capturing member hole and an
outer capturing member top flange that extends radially outward,
the tubular section having an exterior diameter and an interior
diameter, the outer capturing member top flange being positioned on
top of the tubular section and having a sloped lower surface, the
sloped lower surface is substantially parallel to the upper surface
of the lower drain flange; an inner connecting member having a
inner connecting member tubular section encircling an inner
connecting member hole and an inner connecting member top flange
that extends radially outward; an anchoring nut; an adapter; a
first bushing and a second bushing; a drain trim holder having a
stepped inner flange; and a drain plate; wherein the exterior
diameter of the outer capturing member tubular section is tapered
and decreases from top, defined as the part closer to the outer
capturing member top flange, to bottom, allowing the outer
capturing member to be inserted into the receiving hole of the
lower drain body, a lower section of the outer capturing member
tubular section is threaded, the first bushing and the second
bushing are inserted into the outer capturing member hole, the
first bushing being above the second bushing, the inner connecting
member tubular section fits through the drain trim holder into the
first bushing, the outer capturing member top flange and the lower
drain flange of the lower drain body hold flush and secure the
waterproof membrane, which covers a substrate medium, the adapter
and the anchoring nut are attached to the threaded part of the
outer capturing member tubular section, and the drain plate covers
the drain trim holder.
17. The water drainage system of claim 16, there are weeping holes
through the inner connecting member tubular section.
18. The water drainage system of claim 16, wherein the inner
connecting member allows the drain trim holder to be repositioned
when the inner connecting member is inserted through the drain trim
holder.
19. The water drainage system of claim 16, further comprising a
splash wall disposed adjacent to the substrate medium, the splash
wall being covered by the waterproof membrane wherein the splash
wall has a splash wall void.
20. The water drainage system of claim 19, wherein the waterproof
membrane is folded and the fold-up portions of the waterproof
membrane is disposed on the splash wall void.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a US utility application and claims
priority to U.S. provisional patent application 61/624,130 filed on
Apr. 13, 2012, the contents of which are fully incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a water drainage system. More
particularly, the current invention relates to a water drainage
system that may be used with a waterproof membrane to center and
secure a waste water pipe in place.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Water drainage systems are common in every household. It is
desirable to have a drain system that is clean, easy to install and
adjust, safe, and inexpensive. Examples in the art of water
drainage systems are inflexible and hard to adjust. Most are
designed for singular purposes while limiting the possible uses
with design flaws that exclude certain installation locations and
functions as well as having complicated designs with a multitude of
parts and areas of potential failure. The current invention
fulfills the needs over previous disclosures, providing
improvements and convenience in regard to align the drain system
with the floor, and how to ensure no residual wastewater
accumulates.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 8,060,956 to DeGooyer presents a bondable
waterproof fabric membrane shower pan system. This system combines
the use of a prefabricated pitched subfloor with a waterproof
fabric membrane also comprising of a coupling drain system which
attaches to the wastewater pipe. The design has multiple connection
points where mechanical connections must be made in order to create
a waterproof connection where two level surfaces meet. Since the
system starts with a large flange on the bottom for connecting to a
shower floor subfloor, it eliminates the possibility of fitting the
lower drain body into a surface such as a roof. This mandates that
you must build your final surface up to the height necessary for
proper drainage.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,602 to Cuschera presents a wide floor
water drainage system to fit with a small waste water pipe. This
design depicts an adaptor for a waste water capturing method
wherein a large conical shaped pipe is inserted into the surface to
be drained and where in a smaller pipe section is inserted from
above into the larger pipe section. The pipes are secured and
sealed together with several rubber gaskets as well as two exterior
nuts to be attached from the bottom. This design in theory tries to
accomplish the same goals wherein a small section of pipe is
inserted into a larger pipe section where the waste water pipe is
captured and centered. Since the adaptor is secured with nuts from
the bottom of the subfloor surface, access to the drain from the
floor below is necessary and damage may be done to the ceiling.
This design also fails to allow for the capturing of waterproof
membranes which will greatly increase the efficiency of the seals
as well as creating a secure moisture barrier.
[0006] Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address
the entire problem solved by the invention described herein. A
preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein
below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to this invention, a water drainage system is
disclosed for use with a waterproof membrane covering a substrate
medium above the floor wherein a wastewater pipe is installed. The
water drainage system mechanically secures the water proof membrane
and at the same time centers and anchors the waste water pipe. The
major component of the water drainage system of the current
invention comprises a coupling mechanism including a lower drain
body and a pipe-capturing member. The coupling mechanism traps a
waterproof membrane covering the surfaces onto which wastewater may
be disposed. Together with several additional structures, the
coupling mechanism ensures that the waste water flows into the
waste water pipe that is secured in place.
[0008] In particular, the current invention includes a large lower
drain body encircling a receiving hole, the lower drain body having
a top surface which pitches radially inward and downward toward the
center. The lower drain body has a lower drain flange on the top
portion of the lower drain body, the lower drain flange extending
downward from the top surface. Below the lower drain flange, the
lower drain body has a cylindrical section which is dramatically
thinner than the lower drain flange in terms of center-to-exterior
thickness. The lower part of the cylindrical section is preferably
threaded, defining a threaded section generally designed to be
connected to an anchoring nut having a threaded interior.
[0009] The water drainage system further comprises a pipe-capturing
member, the pipe-capturing member having a tubular section with a
significant interior-to-exterior thickness and a top flange
positioned above the tubular section, the top flange being thin in
top-to-bottom thickness and extending outwardly. The tubular
section and the top flange encircle a pipe hole, which may be used
to receive the insertion of a waste water pipe. The exterior
surface of the tubular section decreases in diameter from top to
bottom while the interior diameter of the tubular section increases
from top to bottom. The diameter change of the interior surface
allows the pipe-capturing member to firmly capture a waste water
pipe and center the pipe. Similarly, the diameter change of the
exterior surface allows the pipe-capturing member to be firmly
inserted into the lower drain body. The bottom surface of the top
flange of the pipe-capturing member is pitched as to be parallel
with the upper surface of the lower drain body. Within this
parallel space a waterproof membrane can be trapped or mechanically
connected, additionally the same parallel space has pitched weeping
channels through the body of the pipe-capturing member, allowing
seepage to find its way to the waste water pipe. At the point where
the membrane meets the exterior tubular section of the capturing
member, a plurality of weeping holes are located around the tubular
section under the top flange to allow water to pass through into
the waste water pipe. The capturing member may also include
threaded inserts in order to secure a drain trim.
[0010] Aside from the pipe-capturing member and the lower drain
body, other structures may be included in the water drainage system
disclosed by the current invention. A drain trim holder may be
placed above the pipe-capturing member, the drain trim holder being
preferably adjustable in height to level the water drainage system
with the finished floor. A drain trim cover may be adopted to cover
the drain trim holder. In addition, an anchoring nut may be used to
secure the lower drain body to the ground.
[0011] The current invention may cover a number of embodiments
having variable components. One key feature is that two structures
may embrace and held flush against a waterproof membrane. A
separate but important aspect of the current design is to allow
modest but important positioning of the drain trim holder, thus
making the placement of the water outlet adjustable.
[0012] In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the
following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits
and objectives.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a water
drainage system that is safe and easy to install.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
water drainage system that secures a waste water pipe in place.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
water drainage system that may be used in combination with a
waterproof membrane covering the floor.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
water drainage system that may be easily adjusted in terms of
position.
[0017] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a water drainage system that does not cause water accumulation.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
water drainage system that is robust and durable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the water drainage
system of the present invention fully assembled in a subfloor
medium.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the water drainage system of
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the water drainage
system of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the water drainage system of
the present invention when the water drainage system is fully
assembled in a subfloor medium.
[0023] FIGS. 5 A-H provide a full illustration of the
pipe-capturing member, wherein
[0024] FIG. 5A is a top perspective view,
[0025] FIG. 5B is a top view,
[0026] FIG. 5C is a bottom view,
[0027] FIG. 5D is a front view,
[0028] FIG. 5E is a back view,
[0029] FIG. 5F is a first side view,
[0030] FIG. 5G is a second side view,
[0031] FIG. 5H is a sectional side view;
[0032] FIG. 6 A-H provide a full illustration of the lower drain
body, wherein
[0033] FIG. 6A is a top perspective view,
[0034] FIG. 6B is a top view,
[0035] FIG. 6C is a bottom view,
[0036] FIG. 6D is a front view,
[0037] FIG. 6E is a back view,
[0038] FIG. 6F is a first side view,
[0039] FIG. 6G is a second side view,
[0040] FIG. 6H is a sectional side view;
[0041] FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the water drainage system of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now
be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in
the various figures are identified, as far as possible, with the
same reference numerals. Such embodiments are provided by way of
explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be
limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may
appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the
present drawings that various modifications and variations can be
made thereto without deviating from the innovative concepts of the
invention.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the water drainage
system of the present invention fully assembled in a subfloor
medium. Shown in FIG. 1 is the substrate medium 12 into which the
water drainage system is installed. The substrate medium 12 is
shown in partially cut-away view for clarity purposes. Also shown
in FIG. 1 are a drain trim holder 40 and a drain plate 18, the
parts of a water drainage system of the current invention that is
visible when it is assembled. The preferred embodiment of the
current invention may generally be installed in substrate medium 12
at the location of a wastewater pipe. Also referring to FIG. 1, the
substrate medium 12 is covered by waterproof membrane 19, which is
a novel design to overlay a surface onto which wastewater may be
disposed. For example, the waterproof membrane may be used to cover
the bathroom floor or bathtub. FIG. 1 is the overview for water
drainage system after installation is completed. The line between
points A and B serves as an indicator for the sectional views of
the water drainage system in FIGS. 3, and 4.
[0044] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the water drainage system of
the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the
water drainage system of the present invention, with the sectional
line marked between points A and B in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a sectional
view of the water drainage system of the present invention when the
water drainage system is fully assembled. As a group, FIGS. 2, 3,
and 4 demonstrate how the entire water drainage system would
assemble and show essentially the same elements, including a drain
plate 18, a drain trim holder 40, a pipe-capturing member 15, a
waterproof membrane 19, a lower drain body 14, and an anchoring nut
32, with specific emphasis on different details of these
element.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the water drainage system
includes a lower drain body 14 encircling a receiving hole 36. The
lower drain body has a generally tubular, cylindrical section 21
wherein its lower part is threaded, defining a threaded section 33.
On top of the cylindrical section 21, the lower drain body 14 has a
lower drain flange 28 that expands annularly, and the lower drain
flange 28 has a significantly larger diameter than the cylindrical
section 21. The lower drain body 14 also has a top surface 31 above
the lower drain flange 28, the top surface 31 pitching downward and
inward radially towards the center of the receiving hole 36,
creating a sloped surface that may funnel water to flow through
dedicated channels into a waste water pipe. Referring to FIG. 4,
the top outer edge of the lower drain flange 28 should be
substantially flush with the top surface of the subfloor medium 12
onto which a waterproof membrane 19 may be attached.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the water drainage system
includes a pipe-capturing member 15 encircling a pipe hole 35, the
pipe-capturing member 15 having a tubular section 22 and a top
flange 20 positioned on the tubular section 22. The top flange 20
has an upper surface 24 and a lower surface 27. Referring to FIG.
3, the lower surface 27 of the top flange 20 on the pipe-capturing
member 15 has an annular pitch that matches the pitch of the top
surface 31 of the lower drain body 14, allowing flush contact
between the lower surface 27 of the top flange 20 and the top
surface 31 of the lower drain body 14 when the tubular section 22
of the pipe-capturing member 15 is inserted into the receiving hole
36 of the lower drain body 14, if no membrane is separating the two
structures.
[0047] One of the basic functions that may be served by the water
drainage system is to provide draining for an area that is covered
by a waterproof membrane 19. As indicated above, the waterproof
membrane 19 is a unique design for coverage of surfaces that may be
susceptible to flow or accumulation of waste water. The
pipe-capturing member 15 and the lower drain body 15 may serve as a
coupling mechanism for the waterproof membrane 19. As shown in FIG.
2 and FIG. 3, the top flange 20 of the pipe-capturing member 15 has
a pitched lower surface 27 that matches the pitched top surface 31
of the lower drain body 14. The tubular section 22 of the
pipe-capturing member 15 may be inserted through a hole 37 on the
waterproof membrane 19, and into the receiving hole 36 of the lower
drain body 14, wherein the hole 37 on the waterproof membrane 19
has a diameter similar to the exterior diameter of the tubular
section 22, thus trapping the waterproof membrane 19 underneath the
top flange 20 and above the lower drain flange 28. Since the lower
surface 27 of the top flange 20 has matching pitch angles as the
top surface 31 of the lower drain body 14, the coupling of the
pipe-capturing member 15 and the lower drain body 14 causes the
trapped section 25 of the waterproof membrane 19 to pitch as shown
in FIG. 2-4, allowing close contact between the components.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the exterior surface of the
tubular section 22 of the pipe-capturing member 15 is tapered and
decreases in diameter from the top, defined as the part closer to
the top flange 20, to bottom, making the exterior of the tubular
section 22 a frusto-conical shape. Conversely, the interior
diameter of the tubular section, which corresponds to the diameter
of the pipe hole 35, increases from top to bottom, making the pipe
hole 35 a frusto-conical shape.
[0049] The tapering of the interior and exterior diameters of the
tubular section 21 of the pipe-capturing member 15 is generally not
very significant. The tapering angles for the interior and exterior
diameters are between 0.1-5.degree., with the preferred tapering
angle to be around 1.degree.. Thus, due to the small tapering
angle, the changes of the diameters are not dramatic.
[0050] Since the exterior diameter of the tubular section 22 of the
pipe-capturing member 15 is tapered and decreases from top to
bottom, it has a maximum exterior diameter positioned just beneath
the top flange 20. The maximum exterior diameter is substantially
equal to the diameter of the receiving hole, which is substantially
uniform. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the tubular section 22 of
the pipe-capturing member 15 may be inserted into the receiving
hole 36 of the lower drain body 14 from the top. Since the exterior
diameter on the lower part of the tubular section 22 is smaller
than the diameter of the receiving hole 36, the insertion is made
easier. Moreover, the tapered exterior surface of the tubular
section 22 permits application of a chemical bonding adhesive
between the tubular section 22 and the interior of the lower drain
body 14 without causing squeezing away of the adhesive when the
tubular section 22 is being inserted into the receiving hole
36.
[0051] Since the interior diameter of the tubular section 22 of the
pipe-capturing member 15 is tapered and increases from top to
bottom, it has a minimum interior diameter positioned just beneath
the top flange 20. The minimum exterior diameter is preferred to be
substantially equal to the generally uniform outside diameter of a
wastewater pipe, which is to be inserted into the pipe hole 35 from
the bottom. The tapered interior surface of the tubular section 22
makes the insertion of a wastewater pipe easier. Moreover, the
tapered interior surface of the tubular section 22 permits
application of a chemical bonding adhesive without causing
squeezing away of the adhesive when the wastewater pipe is inserted
into the pipe hole 35 of the pipe-capturing member.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the top flange 22 of the pipe-capturing
member has an upper interior edge 29, the upper interior edge 29 is
shaped as a chamfer that extends radially, forming a funnel shape.
Such a design facilitates the flowing of wastewater into the
wastewater pipe, which is inserted into the pipe hole 35 of the
pipe-capturing member 15.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the pipe-capturing member 15
has weeping holes 17 though the body of the pipe-capturing member
15. Each of the weeping holes 17 has one opening just beneath the
top flange 22, with another opening on the chamfer of the interior
edge 29. The weeping holes 17 are positioned at an angle to
facilitate draining into the pipe hole 35 and the wastewater pipe
in the pipe hole 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the diameter of the top
flange 22 is preferably smaller than the diameter of the lower
drain flange 28, making the waterproof membrane 19 to taper at
location 34, which is also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tapering of
the waterproof membrane 19 at location 34 creates a pocket, which
may facilitate the flowing of wastewater to the water drainage
system. Most of the waste water may make its way above the pipe
capturing member 15, over the chamfer 29 and into the wastewater
pipe. Even if there is any wastewater flowing under the top flange
20, it will still escape through the weeping holes 17 and into the
wastewater pipe.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the water drainage system may
further comprises an anchoring nut 32, which has a threaded
interior that may be fastened to the threaded section 33 of
cylindrical section 21 of the lower drain body 14. Referring to
FIG. 4, the anchoring nut 32 may be placed beneath the substrate
medium 12, creating further stabilization to the water drainage
system, making it more difficult to dislocate the lower drain body
14, the pipe-capturing member 15, and other components of the water
drainage system. However, it should be noted that the lower drain
body 14 may be connected to the anchoring nut 32 with other
approaches, such as but not limited to: co-molding and gluing. The
anchoring nut 32 may also be entirely left out if the water
drainage system is sufficiently secured.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the water drainage system may
further include a drain trim holder 40, which may be positioned on
top of the pipe-capturing membrane 15. The drain trim holder 40 may
have different designs according to specific needs. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4, the exterior wall 41 of the drain
trim holder 40 has a saw tooth design and the interior wall 43 of
the drain trim holder 40 has a square tooth design. These designs
allow the height of the drain trim holder 40 to be adjusted
depending on the thickness of the material to be used on the
finished floor, into which the water drainage system is installed.
Referring specifically to FIG. 3, a bottom wall 45 of the drain
trim holder 40 is sloped towards the center to create a funnel
shape to ensure that the waste water that enters the drain trim
holder will flow to the waste water pipe. There is a drain hole 44
on the bottom wall 45 of the drain trim holder 40. The diameter of
the drain hole 44 is substantially equal to the diameter of the
waste water pipe that is to be inserted into the water drainage
system. Upon installation, the drain hole 44, the pipe hole 35, and
the receiving hole 36 are aligned to create a channel for
wastewater collection and outflow.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the water drainage system may also
include a drain plate 18 and mounting screws 16. The drain plate 18
may be used to cover the drain trim holder 40. The drain plate 18
has multiple openings through its body, allowing flow of water into
the water drainage system. The drain plate 18 may be pressure fit
into the drain trim holder 40 after the drain trim holder 40 has
been cut or lifted to the appropriate height of the finishing
surface. The mounting screws 16 may attach the drain plate holder
40 to the pipe-capturing member 15. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4,
there are adjustment holes 42 in the drain trim holder 40 and
vertical screw holes 26 in the pipe-capturing member 15. The
diameter of the adjustment holes 42 are significantly larger than
the diameter of the mounting screws 16 so that the position of
drain trim holder 40 may be adjusted for the ideal location of the
drain trim plate. From a top view, the drain plate 18 and the drain
trim holder 40 may be a square shape. Upon installation, the drain
trim plate 18 is fit into the top of the square drain trim holder
40 which is secured with the mounting screws 16 to pipe-capturing
member 15.
[0057] As indicated above, it is preferred that the tubular section
22 of the pipe-capturing member 15 is inserted into the receiving
hole 36 of the lower drain body. It is also preferred that the
lower drain body 14 and the pipe capturing member 15 are attached
with adhesives. Similarly, a wastewater pipe may be inserted into
the interior of the pipe-capturing member 15 and attached to the
pipe-capturing member 15 with adhesives. It should also be noted
that adhesives may not be the only approach to join the three
structures. For example, sonic-welding, as well as other methods,
may also be utilized as long as effective attachment may be
obtained.
[0058] In terms of materials, the various components of the water
drainage system may be made from same or different materials. It is
desirable that the materials are waterproof, durable, robust, easy
to mold, and relatively inexpensive. The materials that may be used
include but are not limited to: metal, rubber, and plastic such as,
but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene
(PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE),
polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene
(HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or some combination thereof. The
preferred material for making the lower drain body 14 and the
pipe-capturing member is PVC.
[0059] FIGS. 5 A-H provide a full illustration of the
pipe-capturing member 15, wherein FIG. 5A is a top perspective
view, FIG. 5B is a top view, FIG. 5C is a bottom view, FIG. 5D is a
front view, FIG. 5E is a back view, FIG. 5F is a first side view,
FIG. 5G is a second side view, FIG. 5H is a sectional side
view.
[0060] FIGS. 6 A-H provide a full illustration of the lower drain
body 14, wherein FIG. 6A is a top perspective view, FIG. 6B is a
top view, FIG. 6C is a bottom view, FIG. 6D is a front view, FIG.
6E is a back view, FIG. 6F is a first side view, FIG. 6G is a
second side view, and FIG. 6H is a sectional side view.
[0061] FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the water drainage system of the present invention.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 shares significant similarities with
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6. In addition, this embodiment
provides certain features that are in some aspects more
advantageous.
[0062] Shown in FIG. 7 are a drain plate 18, a drain trim holder 51
having a stepped inner flange 53, an inner connecting member 70, a
first busing 54, a second bushing 57, an outer capturing member 60,
a waterproof membrane 19, a lower drain body 14, an adaptor 80, and
an anchoring nut 32. Here, the structures some components, such as
the anchoring nut 32 and the drain plate 18, are similar to the
same elements shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
[0063] The lower drain body 14 encircles a receiving hole 36 having
a generally uniform first diameter, a top part of the lower drain
body 14 being a lower drain flange 28 that extends radially
outwardly, the lower drain flange 28 having an upper surface sloped
to the center of the receiving hole 36, the lower drain body 14
further having a cylindrical section 21 below the lower drain
flange 28.
[0064] The outer capturing member 60 has an outer capturing member
tubular section 64 encircling an outer capturing member hole 66 and
an outer capturing member top flange 63 that extends radially
outward. The tubular section 64 of the outer capturing member 60
has an exterior diameter and an interior diameter. The outer
capturing member top flange 63 is positioned on top of the tubular
section 64 and has a sloped lower surface. The sloped lower surface
of the outer capturing member top flange 63 is substantially
parallel to the upper surface of the lower drain flange 28. The
tubular section 64 of the outer capturing member 60 may be inserted
into the receiving hole 36 of the lower drain body 14. The outer
capturing member top flange 63 and the lower drain flange 36 of the
lower drain body 14 hold flush and secure the waterproof membrane
19, which covers a substrate medium. Different from the embodiment
shown in FIG. 2-4, here the tubular section 64 of the outer
capturing member 60 extends below a lower end of the lower drain
body 14. The lower part of the outer capturing member tubular
section 64 is threaded. The adapter 80 and the anchoring nut 32 may
be attached to the threaded part of the outer capturing member
tubular section 64, with the anchoring nut 32 preferably screwed to
the threaded part.
[0065] The inner connecting member 70 has an inner connecting
member tubular section 71 encircling an inner connecting member
hole 75 and an inner connecting member top flange 72 that extends
radially outward. The inner connecting member tubular section 71
may be inserted through the drain trim holder 51 so that the inner
connecting member top flange 72 rests on the stepped inner flange
53 of the drain trim holder 32. The inner diameter of the hole in
the drain trim holder 51 is modestly larger than the exterior
diameter of the inner connecting member tubular section 71, with a
difference preferably ranges between 2 to 50 mm. With this feature,
the inner connecting member 70 allows the drain trim holder 51 to
be modestly repositioned when the inner connecting member 70 is
inserted through the drain trim holder 51. Such a feature may
reduce work load to avoid tile cutting, if tiles are used. Similar
to the weeping holes shown in FIGS. 2-4, there may also be weeping
holes 17 through the inner connecting member tubular section 72,
wherein the weeping hole 17 may be used for the drainage of residue
water.
[0066] The first bushing 54 and the second bushing 57 are inserted
into the outer capturing member hole 66, with the first bushing 54
being positioned above the second bushing 57. The first bushing 54
and second bushing 57 are made from flexible and waterproof
materials such as rubber. In addition, the first bushing 54 and the
second bushing 57 have circling protrusions that ensure capturing.
The inner connecting member tubular section 71 may be inserted into
the first bushing 54 and being secured by the first bushing 54. A
pipe may extend through the second bushing 57. capturing member,
the weeping holes having openings on the radial chamfer of the
upper interior edge of the pipe-capturing member and having an
angle to facilitate draining into the pipe hole, and the integral
weeping holes in the pipe-capturing member are substantially
parallel to the top surface of the upper flange of the pipe
capturing member.
[0067] The water drainage system may also include other structures
to form a more comprehensive and complete design for improvement of
a household drainage assembly. For example, the water drainage
system may include a shower pan that may be combined with the pipe
centering and membrane securing mechanisms such as the lower drain
body 14 and the pipe-capturing member 15 (FIG. 3) or the lower
drain body 14 and the outer capturing member 60 (FIG. 7). The
shower pan is installed over a subfloor or an underlayment that in
most cases comprises plywood or other support structures.
[0068] On key component of the shower pan is the substrate medium
12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The substrate medium is made from
durable and water-resist materials such as but not limited to:
metal, rubber, and plastic such as, but not limited to,
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), expanded polystyrene (EPS),
polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene
(LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact
polystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or some combination
thereof. The preferred material for the substrate medium 12 is EPS.
The substrate medium is molded to have a slightly sloped surface,
wherein the lowest point in the shower pan coincides with the
location of the inlet of the wastewater pipe. A waterproof membrane
19 covers the substrate medium 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,
providing a separating layer between the substrate medium 12 and
water flow. The waterproof membrane 19 is preferred to be self
adhesive. However, other methods may be used to attach the
waterproof membrane 19 to the substrate medium 12. The waterproof
membrane 19 has the same features.
[0069] The shower pan may also include a curb completely or
partially surrounding the substrate medium. The curb may be made
from the materials identified above or plastic wood composite. It
is desirable that the curb be made from water resistant materials.
The curb is thicker than the substrate medium and as a combined
structure the curb and the substrate medium define the contours of
the shower pan. It is preferable that the waterproof membrane also
covers the curb. In addition, the waterproof membrane may expand
upward against the splash wall adjacent to which the shower pan is
installed, providing an extensive waterproof surface.
[0070] The waterproof membrane may be folded or cut to match the
surfaces of the shower pan and the splash wall. The preferred
method is to fold the membrane because such an approach does not
leave gaps that may cause accumulation of moisture on the inner
surfaces and in the inner voids. The splash wall, which may also be
considered a part of the water drainage system, may provide the
space needed for disposing the fold-up portion of the waterproof
membrane that is not used to provide cover to the water drainage
system. The splash wall may have a splash wall void behind it or
between sub-layers of the splash wall. There are multiple ways to
fold the waterproof membrane. The fold-up portion of the waterproof
membrane may be folded into the splash wall void, keeping the
appearance of the shower pan clean and neat, also preventing
necessary cutting of the waterproof membrane.
[0071] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that
numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of
parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *