U.S. patent application number 13/771823 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for washing-area drainage trough.
This patent application is currently assigned to DLP LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is DLP LIMITED. Invention is credited to Mark Ian LUXTON, Robert William STIMPSON.
Application Number | 20140201902 13/771823 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45841341 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140201902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
STIMPSON; Robert William ;
et al. |
July 24, 2014 |
WASHING-AREA DRAINAGE TROUGH
Abstract
A washing-area drainage trough comprises a sloping-walled
drainage channel having a water flow surface defining at least one
fall, at least two predefined recessed waste-water outlet locators
in the water flow surface, and at least one bridging element
locatable in at least one of the recessed waste-water outlet
locators. The bridging element has an upper surface which lies
flush or substantially flush with at least a portion of the water
flow surface to define a smooth or substantially smooth flow path
transition between the water flow surface of the drainage channel
and the bridging element.
Inventors: |
STIMPSON; Robert William;
(Douglas, GB) ; LUXTON; Mark Ian; (Onchan,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DLP LIMITED |
Douglas |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
DLP LIMITED
Douglas
GB
|
Family ID: |
45841341 |
Appl. No.: |
13/771823 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/613 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 5/0407 20130101;
A47K 3/40 20130101; Y02A 30/68 20180101; Y02A 30/60 20180101; E03F
5/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/613 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/40 20060101
A47K003/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2013 |
EP |
12159667.0 |
Claims
1. A washing-area drainage trough comprising: a sloping-walled
drainage channel having a water flow surface defining at least one
fall; at least two predefined recessed waste-water outlet locators
in the water flow surface; and at least one bridging element
locatable in at least one of the recessed waste-water outlet
locators, wherein the bridging element has an upper surface which
lies at least substantially flush with at least a portion of the
water flow surface to define a substantially smooth flow path
transition between the water flow surface of the drainage channel
and the bridging element.
2. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the upper surface of the bridging element is profiled to at least
substantially match the profile of the water flow surface of the
drainage channel, whereby the edge of the upper surface lies at
least substantially flush with the water flow surface, so as to
provide a substantially unstepped bridge across the respective
waste-water outlet locator.
3. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the upper surface of the bridging element is non-planar.
4. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the upper surface of the bridging element is or is substantially
V-shaped.
5. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the bridging element includes at least one spacing element which
spaces the upper surface from a bottom surface of the waste-water
outlet locator.
6. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the spacing element includes a plurality of spaced apart legs.
7. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the legs support a body of the bridging element so as to be spaced
above the bottom surface of the waste-water outlet locator.
8. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the upper surface of the bridging element is planar or
substantially planar.
9. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the bridging element includes at least one spacing element which
spaces the upper surface from a bottom surface of the waste-water
outlet locator, the spacing element having at least one elongate
arcuate wall which depends from an underside of a body of the
bridging element.
10. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the recessed waste-water outlet locator is integrally formed as
one-piece with the drainage channel, and includes a blanking
base.
11. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the blanking base is dimensioned to accept an aperture
adapted to receive a standard waste water outlet device whilst
providing a perimeter flange around the aperture.
12. The washing-area drainage trough as claimed in claim 11,
wherein a lateral extent of the flange is sufficient for the said
standard waste water outlet device to be clamped thereto.
13. A kit of parts for a washing area, comprising a washing-area
drainage trough as claimed in claim 1, and at least one of a
shower-floor former and a shower tray to which the washing-area
drainage trough is liquidly communicable.
14. Washing-area apparatus comprising a wet-floor former, a
wet-floor covering over the wet-floor former, a washing-area
drainage trough as claimed in claim 1 and which is in liquid
communication with the wet-floor covering, a waste-water outlet
device at at least one of said waste-water outlet locators and
connected to a drain, and an apertured access cover which extends
across the drainage channel.
15. Washing-area apparatus comprising a shower tray having a
user-support portion with a fall and a washing-area drainage trough
as claimed in claim 1 and which is in liquid communication with the
user-support portion, a waste-water outlet device at at least one
of said waste-water outlet locators and connected to a drain, and
an apertured access cover which extends across the drainage channel
to receive run off waste water from the fall.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a washing-area drainage
trough, and to washing-area apparatus having such a drainage
trough.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] A shower tray with a drainage trough or gully, typically at
or along one side, is known. If the drainage trough is sufficiently
short, then only one waste-water outlet device is required, usually
including a trap, and a fall is provided in the drainage channel to
the outlet device.
[0003] However, longer drainage troughs may require more than one
waste-water outlet device. In this case, the drainage trough is
manufactured with a sufficient number of drainage openings to meet
requirements, for example, two, three or more. These drainage
openings may be in the base of the drainage channel or in a side
wall thereof
[0004] The installer must then purchase a suitable drainage trough
to meet requirements. However, it is often the case that the
installer does not know the specific requirements of a particular
installation prior to visiting the work site and/or undertaking the
install. It therefore increases installation time and thus costs if
an installer must obtain the required drainage trough partway
through the installation or only once the installation site has
been assessed.
[0005] Furthermore, the provision of two or more drainage openings
causes a standing water issue if only one of the drainage openings
is utilised by having an outlet device connected thereto. If the
second drainage opening is not provided with an outlet device, then
pooling of run off water can accumulate at that location leading to
stagnation and a potential health hazard.
[0006] The present invention seeks to overcome these problems.
STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided A washing-area drainage trough comprising: a
sloping-walled drainage channel having a water flow surface
defining at least one fall; at least two predefined recessed
waste-water outlet locators in the water flow surface; and at least
one bridging element locatable in at least one of the recessed
waste-water outlet locators, wherein the bridging element has an
upper surface which lies at least substantially flush with at least
a portion of the water flow surface to define a substantially
smooth flow path transition between the water flow surface of the
drainage channel and the bridging element.
[0008] The term `trough` is also intended to include `gully`.
[0009] The bridging element is beneficial in that it aids in
maintaining a continuous or substantially continuous and unbroken
or substantially unbroken flow path across unused outlet device
locations.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a kit of parts for a washing area, comprising a
washing-area drainage trough in accordance with the first aspect of
the invention, and a shower-floor former or shower tray to which
the washing-area drainage trough is liquidly communicable.
[0011] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided washing-area apparatus comprising a wet-floor former, a
wet-floor covering over the wet-floor former, a washing-area
drainage trough in accordance with the first aspect of the
invention and which is in liquid communication with the wet-floor
covering, a waste-water outlet device at at least one of said
waste-water outlet locators and connected to a drain, and an
apertured access cover which extends across the drainage
channel.
[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided washing-area apparatus comprising a shower tray having
a user-support portion with a fall and a washing-area drainage
trough in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and
which is in liquid communication with the user-support portion, a
waste-water outlet device at at least one of said waste-water
outlet locators and connected to a drain, and an apertured access
cover which extends across the drainage channel to receive run off
waste water from the fall.
[0013] The invention will now be more particularly described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of part of a first
embodiment of a washing-area drainage trough, in accordance with
the first aspect of the invention and shown in use with a slimline
level-entry shower tray;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the drainage trough having a waste-device
opening formed in one of a plurality of waste-water outlet
locators;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a bridging element provided in each of the
locators not being used;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above of the bridging
element;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below of the bridging
element;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in FIG.
3;
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a waste-water outlet device provided in the
waste-device opening shown in FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line C-C in FIG. 8,
showing the waste-water outlet device clamped in place and without
a cover;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of a second
embodiment of a washing-area drainage trough, in accordance with
the first aspect of the invention and shown again in use with a
slimline level-entry shower tray;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view from above of the bridging
element shown in use in FIG. 10; and
[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view from below of the bridging
element shown in use in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 9 of the drawings, there is
shown a first embodiment of a washing-area drainage trough 10 which
comprises a drainage channel 12, a plurality of predefined recessed
waste-water outlet locators 14, and at least one bridging element
16.
[0027] The drainage trough 10 is preferably plastics moulded, but
may be metal, such as stainless steel. The drainage channel 12
comprises longitudinal sloping side walls 18 and lateral sloping
end walls 20. The sloping side and end walls 18, 20 provide a
stepped fall to a longitudinal central narrow base portion 22
forming the lowermost region of a flow path between the recessed
waste-water outlet locators 14. In this case, the drainage channel
12 is linear, thereby forming a linear flow path between the
recessed waste-water outlet locators 14. However, a non-linear or
arcuate drainage channel 12 could be envisaged.
[0028] Excluding the recessed waste-water outlet locators 14,
preferably a lower sloped portion 24 of each sloping side wall 18
defines a regular trapezium shape, and a lower sloped portion 26 of
each sloping end wall 20 defines a triangular shape, in this case
being an equilateral or isosceles. However, other shapes may be
envisaged.
[0029] The upper sloped portions 28, 30 of the side walls 18 and
the end walls 20 provides a continuous inwardly-projecting shoulder
32 on which an apertured access cover (not shown) can be removably
mounted to cover the drainage channel 12. Advantageously, the
shoulder 32 also slopes downwardly to drain onto the lower sloped
portions 24, 26 of the sloping side and end walls 18, 20. Once
seated, the access cover is preferably flush or substantially flush
with an uppermost perimeter edge 34 of the sloping side and end
walls 18, 20 if the drainage surface 68,70 is a shower tray, or
flush or substantially flush with the final shower finished floor
surface above this, if the drainage surface 68,70 is that of a wet
floor shower former.
[0030] To provide for suitable flow to each recessed waste-water
outlet locator 14, a fall defined by the sloping side walls 18 is
optionally only across the lateral extent of the side walls 18. The
sloping end walls 20 thus promote flow towards the recessed
waste-water outlet locators 14, thereby dispensing with the need
for the sloping side walls 18 to also have a fall across the
longitudinal extent. However, this option is not necessarily
excluded from the present invention.
[0031] Although the lowermost base portion 22 of the drainage
channel 12 is symmetrically or substantially symmetrically
positioned relative to the lateral extent of the drainage channel
12, it may be offset to one side, dependent on necessity.
[0032] In this embodiment, each waste-water outlet locator 14 is
symmetrically recessed into opposing sloping side walls 18. Three
waste-water outlet locators 14 are provided, although only two may
be formed or more than three may be utilised. A spacing between
neighbouring waste-water outlet locators 14 is preferably equal or
substantially equal, and beneficially, the waste-water outlet
locators 14 do not encroach on the sloping end walls 20.
[0033] A solid base 36 is provided which closes a bottom of each
waste-water outlet locator 14. The base 36 is recessed relative to
the lowermost base portion 22 of the drainage channel 12 at which
the sloping side walls 18 meet, as shown in FIG. 6. From the solid
base 36, the sidewalls 38 of the waste-water outlet locator 14 form
an arcuate varying height rise to meet the lower sloped portions 24
of the sloping side walls 18 of the drainage channel 12.
[0034] Although it is preferable that the base 36 of the
waste-water outlet locator 14 is solid, thereby allowing a suitable
drain opening 40 to be drilled to accommodate a required
waste-water outlet device, the drain opening may be preformed
during manufacture. In this case, it would be preferable to include
a closure element, such as a bung, to watertightly close the
preformed drain opening in the event that it is not to be used. It
should be noted that such a closure element could be conveniently
formed as part of the aforementioned bridging element 16.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9, the solid base 36 has a
sufficient diameter to provide a radially extending perimeter
flange 42 around the drain opening 40, once formed. A standard or
known waste-water outlet device 44 can thus be located in the drain
opening 40 in a conventional fashion. In this case, the waste-water
outlet device 44 is clamped to the flange 42, and a dip tube 46
extends into a depending device body 48 to form a water trap 50. A
drain outlet 52 extends from a side of the device body 48 for
connection to a waste pipe communicating with a drain. However, any
other known and suitable waste-water outlet device can be
utilised.
[0036] A benefit of providing multiple waste-water outlet locators
14 is that a flexibility of location of the waste-water outlet
device 44 is significantly improved. For example, if a supporting
joist at an installation site obstructs one of the waste-water
outlet locators 14, it is likely that another of the waste-water
outlet locators 14 is unobstructed and can thus be utilised.
Furthermore, in a larger installation or with an installation
requiring a greater waste-water flow rate, two or more waste-water
outlet devices 44 can be utilised, and these may be in liquid
communication with each other external of the drainage channel.
[0037] Once it has been decided how many of the waste-water outlet
locators 14 are to be utilised, each remaining waste-water outlet
locator 14 can be capped using the bridging element 16, as shown in
FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 7. Preferably, a suitable number of bridging
elements 16 are provided for each unused waste-water outlet locator
14.
[0038] The bridging element 16 of this embodiment has a body 54
with an upper surface 56 which is profiled to match or
substantially match the profile of the lateral extent of the lower
sloped portions 24 of the sloping side walls 18, spaced from the
sloping end walls 20. In this case, the upper surface 56 is
V-shaped or substantially V-shaped, but other shapes are feasible
dependent on the profile of the drainage channel 12.
[0039] The body 54 of the bridging element 16 is substantially
plate- or disc-like, and spacing means 58 are provided on an
underside to support the body 54 on the solid base 36 of the
waste-water outlet locator 14 and to raise it slightly away
therefrom. The spacing means 58 may advantageously be in the form
of a plurality of legs 60, which in this case are chamfered to
accommodate an upwardly curved perimeter edge of the solid base 36.
A height of the legs 60 may vary as required so that the non-planar
bridging element 16 can be supported stably on the planar solid
base 36. The spacing means 58 is preferably formed at or adjacent
to a perimeter edge 62 of the body 54 of the bridging element 16,
so that should a drain opening 40 be inadvertently formed in a
solid base 36, the legs 60 can still locate on the perimeter flange
42.
[0040] The height of the spacing means 58 and a thickness of the
body 54 is such that the upper surface 56 of the bridging element
16 lies flush or substantially flush with the lower sloped portions
24 of the opposing sloping side walls 18. A smooth or substantially
smooth flow path transition between the sloping side walls 18 of
the drainage channel 12 and the bridging element 16 is thus
formed.
[0041] To hold the bridging element 16 in place, preferably sealant
or a water-resistant adhesive is used for bonding the bridging
element 16 into the recessed waste-water outlet locator 14.
However, other attachment means can be considered, such as a
press-fit or snap-fit engagement between an edge of the body 54 of
the bridging element 16 and the use of an O-ring to create a
watertight seal.
[0042] Furthermore, the spacing means may be provided in or
adjacent to the waste-water outlet locator 14. For example, if
utilising legs, these could be provided on the solid base 36.
Additionally or alternatively, a shoulder could be provided in a
wall of the waste-water outlet locator 14 to seat the bridging
element 16 at the correct height.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 12, a second embodiment of a
washing-area drainage trough is shown. References which are the
same as or similar to those of the first embodiment correspond to
the same or similar parts, and therefore detailed further
description is omitted.
[0044] The washing-area drainage trough 10 of this embodiment again
comprises a drainage channel 12, a plurality of predefined recessed
waste-water outlet locators 14, and at least one bridging element
116. The drainage channel 12 and the waste-water outlet locators 14
are as described above. However, the bridging element 116 has a
body 154 with a planar or substantially planar upper surface 156.
The bridging element 116 is configured to position the upper
surface 156 so as to lie flush or substantially flush with the
lowermost base portion 22 of the drainage channel 12. This
positioning defines a smooth or substantially smooth flow path
transition between the meeting point of the sloping side walls 18
of the drainage channel 12 and the bridging element 116, thereby
allowing a substantially unhindered, although narrower, flow path
to the waste-water outlet locator 14 in which the waste-water
outlet device 44 is provided.
[0045] The transition between the bridging element 116 and the
sloping side walls 18 of the second embodiment is of a reduced
lateral extent than that afforded by the first embodiment. However,
for many installation situations requiring lower flow rates, the
planar upper surface 156 of the bridging element 116 is
sufficient.
[0046] Although the legs of the first embodiment can be utilised,
the spacing means 158 of this second embodiment is in the form of
an elongate arcuate wall 164 which is inboard of the perimeter edge
of the body 54 of the bridging element 116. The body 154 includes a
depending skirt element 166 adjacent to the perimeter edge which is
shaped to accommodate an up-curved perimeter edge of the solid base
36 of the waste-water outlet locator 14. The elongate arcuate wall
164 is positioned radially inwardly of the skirt element 166, and
may extend continuously to provide support and accurate spacing for
the body 154 relative to the solid base 36.
[0047] The waste-water outlet locators may be formed in a side of
the drainage channel, as required. This may be beneficial for
installations with less clearance, such as between joists.
[0048] The drainage trough can be utilised with a wet-floor former,
typically as part of a showering area, or as part of a dedicated
shower tray. In the present embodiments, the drainage trough 10 is
shown being utilised together with a slimline or level-entry shower
tray 68. In this case, the shower tray 68 includes a user-support
portion 70 which is sufficient to support a person thereon and
which has a fall for directing run-off waste water to the drainage
trough 10. In these options, it is convenient to form the drainage
trough as one-piece with the shower tray or former, and as shown in
the drawings. Alternatively, the drainage trough can be separate of
the shower tray or former and connected thereto during
installation. It is also feasible that the drainage trough can be
used as a standalone device, for example, by being embedded in
concrete during the forming of a washing area.
[0049] It is thus possible to provide a washing-area drainage
trough which provides multiple waste-water outlet locators for an
installer, along with at least one bridging element to cap an
unused waste-water outlet locator. The bridging element lies flush
or substantially flush with the edge of the surrounding drainage
channel walls, whereby the waste-water flow path is provided with a
smooth transition across the capped waste-water outlet locator.
Flow to a waste-water outlet locator in or on which is mounted a
waste-water outlet device is thus improved, and there is less
likelihood of standing water remaining along with the potential
hazards that this presents.
* * * * *