GRATING WITH A PLATE DETACHABLY MOUNTED IN A FRAME FOR COVERING A DRAINAGE CHANNEL

Abstract

Covers for mounting onto upper edges of drainage channels or similar surface water drainage arrangements are well known, which are mounted onto the drainage channel by means of fixing devices. To simplify construction, storage and assembly it is proposed that the cover include a frame to which fixing means are attached and which includes devices for the retention and fixing of surface elements. The surface elements may be formed in various ways.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Section 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2005/011032, filed Oct. 13, 2005, which was published in the German language on Apr. 27, 2006, under International Publication No. WO 2006/042695 A1 and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a cover, in particular a grating or a plate for attaching to the upper edges of a drainage channel or similar surface drainage arrangement.

To drain streets, public squares, entrances or similar surfaces drainage channels, gulley holes, site inlets etc are employed. Drainage channels will be discussed comprehensively for the sake of simplicity in the following explanation.

Such drainage channels comprise a channel section, which is firmly embedded in the ground, and a cover, in particular a grating, that lies on the upper edges of the channel and is connected firmly to the channel by fixing devices but that is detachable.

The covers with fixing devices are now available on the market in a variety of different embodiments, which are substantially differentiated by their stability (rating class), material (cast iron, sheet steel, plastics etc.) and also by their design and by functionality. Each of these “types” of covers must incorporate such fixing devices as are compatible with the corresponding channel sections, of which there are of course far fewer different “types”. Since the various covers require different design principles for the fixing devices, hence for example steel gratings cannot be provided with the identical fixing devices as for cast iron gratings, the construction costs in the case of larger model ranges are considerable. Storage is also expensive. Interchange of different “designs” is not possible without further development.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a cover developed from the prior art cited at the start, so that construction, storage and interchangeability is simplified.

According to the invention there is provided a cover, in particular a grating or a plate for attaching to the upper edges of a drainage channel or similar surface drainage arrangement by means of fixing devices, which includes fixing pieces on the cover on the one hand and counterpart fixing pieces on the drainage channel or casing thereof on the other hand, and wherein the cover comprises a frame to which the fixing pieces are attached and which comprises means for retention and fixing of surface elements.

Thus a single frame is made available for all possible “types”, which is able to be fastened by means of the fixing piece on the drainage channel. The frame serves to retain the various surface elements, so that these do not have to be provided with the fixing pieces, which simplifies the construction and fabrication considerably. Connection of the surface elements to the frame may be effected by the manufacturer or even by the user himself, when the latter wants to exchange a damaged surface element or install a different design.

Preferably the frame is provided as a self-contained component which is manufactured as a separate assembly. As a result, easier storage along with simple assembly with the surface elements ensues.

Preferably the surface elements include a basic modular construction kit, e.g. a grating fabricated from sheet steel, a grating, of cast iron and, for example, a cover that includes water inlet apertures and light fittings, so that a drainage channel can be employed simultaneously for signal or lighting purposes.

Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the frame in such a way that it is suitable for seating parts onto small surface areas, e.g. slabs or cobblestone pavements.

The frame may be manufactured from various materials. However, since the frame must only absorb very small forces—the surface elements and the frame may be constructed so that the surface elements only lie on the drainage channels subject to intermediate layering of frame sections—the frame is preferably fabricated from sheet steel material.

Additionally, the frame is preferably configured so that surface water drains into the drainage channel between the frame and the upper edges of the drainage channel. As a result, it is also possible to use completely closed surface elements and nevertheless to maintain a drainage function. On the other hand such “additional” drainage apertures do not cause trouble, if a usual grating is employed as surface element. In addition or as an alternative to such a drainage aperture between frame and upper edge of the channels it is possible to provide drainage apertures or slots between the frame and the surface elements.

The surface elements may be attached to the frame in various ways. In particular material-specific bonded joints or also adhesive bonds are suitable here. In one embodiment of the invention the means for fastening the surface elements to the frame comprise clips or similar retaining pieces able to be bonded to the frame, which simplify the assembly.

For easy replacement of damaged surface elements it is advantageous if these are connected detachably with the frame, which may then be re-used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a drainage channel with a frame inserted therein that is without a surface element,

FIG. 2 is a section along the line II-II in FIG. 1, but without the drainage channel,

FIG. 3 is a view along the line III-III in FIG. 1, wherein the drainage channel and the casing are cross-hatched for clarity,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, of another embodiment of the frame,

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the area V in FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with a surface element inserted, and

FIG. 7-11 are views of various embodiments of surface element which are adapted to be inserted into a frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description the same reference symbols are used for parts which are the same or have the same functions.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, seated over the upper edges of side walls 11 and 12 is a channel 10 and casing 13, 14. In conventional drainage channels, a grating is located aid inside the casing. In the case of the embodiment of the invention shown here, a frame 20 is provided that has a front wall 21, a rear wall 22 and side walls 23, 24, which are solidly joined with one another. Supports 25 are provided, projecting from the walls 21-24 of the frame 20 towards the frame inner space, between which supports are outlet apertures 26.

Furthermore, fixing pieces 40 are attached to the side walls 23, 24 of the frame 20, which exhibit spring strips 41 and stop lugs 42 projecting outwards.

If the frame 20—as shown in FIG. 3—is inserted in a channel 10 between its walls 13, 14 respectively, the fixing pieces 40 protrude into the channel with their spring strips 41 and the stop lugs 42 engage in recesses in the channel side walls 11, 12, so that the frame is retained in the position shown in FIG. 3 and can only be taken out with an increased energy expenditure.

Instead of the sprung arrangement shown here other fixing devices may also be provided, such as those generally known for fixing cover gratings in channels.

Additionally, spacers 31 may be provided in the frame 20 at the side walls 23, 24, so that when a surface element 50 is inserted, as is shown in FIGS. 7-9, the side edges of the surface element 50 are spaced from the side walls 23, 24 of the frame 20. As a result the outlet apertures 26 are made accessible from above, so that surface water flows into the gap between the surface element 50 and the side wall 23, 24 and can flow through into the channel owing to the supports 25 under the surface element. Consequently a drainage function is also possible with those surface elements 50 that do not define apertures 51 (as shown in the case of traditional gratings in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) but comprise, for example, continuous plates made from steel, plastics or glass.

To attach the surface elements 50, material-specific methods may be employed, e.g. welding or adhesive bonding. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6 L-shape clips 27 are provided, which comprise a spur 29 on one limb while the other limb 28 serves to secure the surface element 50. In the end walls 21/22 of the frame 20 snap-in holes 30 are provided, so that when inserting a surface element 50 into a frame 20—as shown in FIG. 6—the clips 27 may be inserted, so that these interlock with the spur 29 in the snap-in holes 30 and the angle section 28 consequently secures the surface element 50 in the frame 20. In the case of this embodiment the surface element 50 may be removed again from this by means of a tool when removing the frame 20.

Additionally, it is also possible to construct the frame in such a way such that it is suitable for the seating of parts on small area surfaces, e.g. paving stones or cobblestones.

In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 the surface element 50 comprises a cover for a slotted channel, as it is known per se. Such slotted channels may be paved to within a narrow gap.

The embodiment according to FIG. 11 is different from that according to FIG. 10, in that the slot lies asymmetrically to a channel longitudinal side, so that the channel may be positioned at a building wall subsequently and then be paved up to the slot.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1.-8. (canceled)

9. Cover for mounting on upper edges of a drainage channel by means of fixing devices, including fixing pieces adapted to engage fixing counterparts provided on the drainage channel or casing defined by it, and comprising a frame to which the fixing pieces are attached and means adapted to mount and to retain a surface element.

10. Cover according to claim 9, wherein the frame comprises a self-contained component which is manufactured as a separate assembly.

11. Cover according to claim 9, wherein the surface element is a module from a set including at least two of a first grating, a closed plate, and a second grating having a different shape from the first grating.

12. Cover according to claim 9, wherein the frame is fabricated from sheet steel.

13. Cover according to claim 9, wherein the frame is constructed such that drainage water is fed into the drainage channel between at least one of the frame and upper edges of the drainage channel, and the frame and the surface element into the drainage channel.

14. Cover according to claim 9, wherein clips joined to the frame are provided for the mounting of the surface element.

15. Cover according to claim 9, wherein the surface element is detachably mounted in the frame.

16. Cover according to claim 9, wherein the surface element comprises a slotted channel member.

17. Cover according to claim 11, wherein the closed plate is made from a transparent material.