Asymmetric Slot Drain

Abstract

An asymmetric slot drain comprises a channel element and a throat element having two walls which extend upwardly from a channel opening of the channel element. The throat element is offset towards one-side of the channel element. Slot drain apparatus which comprises such an asymmetric slot drain and an access/outlet box is also provided. Slot drain apparatus which comprises such an asymmetric slot drain and an end cap adapter is also provided.

Description

This invention relates to an asymmetric slot drain, and to slot drain apparatus having such an asymmetric slot drain and an access/outlet box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known from GB2311549B to provide a slot drain which has a channel portion having a regular polygonal lateral cross-section and an elongate throat portion which provides a narrow opening to the channel portion. Such a slot drain is remarkably beneficial in providing discreet surface water drainage from largely non-porous upper surfaces, such as tiled, paved, tarmac, and concreted areas. The narrow mouth of the throat portion dispenses with the need for large unsightly grills and gratings, yet the significant longitudinal extent allows unrestricted or substantially unrestricted water flow into the larger channel portion therebeneath.

However, due to the narrow throat portion and the requirement to have a larger volume channel therebeneath to accommodate a suitable volume of run-off water, the existing slot drain cannot be used to provide a surface drainage opening which is against or abuts a building, wall or foundations.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an asymmetric slot drain comprising a channel element and a throat element having two walls which extend upwardly from a channel opening of the channel element, the throat element being offset towards one-side of the channel element.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided slot drain apparatus comprising an asymmetric slot drain and an access/outlet box to which an end of the slot drain can be coupled, the slot drain including a channel element and a throat element having two walls which extend upwardly from a channel opening of the channel element, the throat element being offset towards one-side of the channel element, and the access/outlet box having at least one side including at least one frangible cut-out portion shaped to provide on removal an opening which matches or substantially matches a lateral cross-section of the channel element.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided slot drain apparatus comprising an asymmetric slot drain and an end cap adapter to which an end of the slot drain can be coupled, the slot drain including a channel element and a throat element having two walls which extend upwardly from a channel opening of the channel element, the throat element being offset towards one-side of the channel element, and the end cap adapter having at least one side including at least one frangible cut-out portion shaped to provide on removal an opening which matches or substantially matches a lateral cross-section of the channel element.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an asymmetric slot drain, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a spigot end of the asymmetric slot drain, shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the asymmetric slot drain, taken along line A-A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an access/outlet box for use with the asymmetric slot drain, according to the second aspect of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows the asymmetric slot drain from one end, when in use and against a side of a wall;

FIG. 6 shows an end cap of the in use asymmetric slot drain;

FIG. 7 shows another end of the asymmetric slot drain and the access/outlet box shown in partial cutaway for clarity, when in use and at an interior corner of a wall; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an adapter for use with the asymmetric slot drain, in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of an asymmetric slot drain 10 which comprises a substantially rigid elongate channel element 12 and a substantially rigid elongate throat element 14. The channel element 12 is preferably formed from metal, such as galvanised steel or aluminium, or plastics and includes two separate parts 16, 18 which are engagable to form a water flow conduit.

The first said part 16 of the channel element 12 comprises a completely flat or planar proximal side wall 20. The second said part 18 of the channel element 12 includes a distal side wall 22, a top wall 24 which is integral and contiguous with an upper edge of the distal side wall 22, and a bottom wall 26 which is integral and contiguous with a lower edge of the distal side wall 22.

The top wall 24 and the bottom wall 26 are planar and extend at obtuse included angles from the distal side wall 22. With the two parts 16, 18 of the channel element 12 assembled together, the top wall 24 approaches but is spaced from an upper portion of the proximal side wall 20 to define a channel opening 28, and the bottom wall 26 meets the proximal side wall 20 to close the channel element 12 at its base. A cross-sectional shape of the channel element 12 is trapezoidal or substantially trapezoidal when taking the proximal side wall 20 as the base.

To connect the two parts 16, 18 of the channel element 12 together, a flange 30 is integrally provided as one-piece on a lower edge of the bottom wall 26. The flange 30 is preferably planar and elongate, extending along the longitudinal extent of the slot drain 10. The flange 30 thus abuts a lower portion 32 of the proximal side wall 20, thereby enabling permanent engagement, for example, via riveting, of the two parts 16, 18 of the channel element 12.

A foot element 34 for supporting the channel element 12 may also be provided. In this case, the foot element 34 is a preferably planar elongate strip which is integrally formed as one-piece along a bottom edge of the flange 30. The foot element 34 preferably extends at right angles to the flange 30, and away from the proximal side wall 20.

When considering the channel opening 28 between the top wall 24 and the proximal side wall 20, it is clear that a lateral cross-section of the channel element 12 is asymmetric about a plane 36 which extends at right angles to and bisects the channel opening 28.

The throat element 14 has spaced and facing first and second throat walls 38, 40 which extend upwardly from the channel opening 28 of the channel element 12. Each throat wall 38, 40 is planar or substantially planar. Preferably, the second throat wall 40 slopes inwardly towards the first throat wall 38, so that a mouth 42 of the throat element 14 has a smaller lateral extent than a lateral extent of the channel opening 28.

In this embodiment, the first throat wall 38 is integrally formed as one-piece with the proximal side wall 20 of the channel element 12, and the second throat wall 40 is integrally formed as one-piece with the top wall 24 of the channel element 12. The proximal side wall 20 and the first throat wall 38 thus provide a planar or flat side of the slot drain 10. The second throat wall 40 extends at an obtuse included angle from the top wall 24.

Due to the different shapes of the two parts 16, 18 of the channel element 12, the channel opening 28 and thus also the throat element 14 are offset to one side of the channel element 12. In this embodiment, the throat element 14 is entirely offset at one side of the channel element 12, so as to align with the proximal side wall 20. However, it is possible that the proximal side wall 20 of the channel element 12 may have a lateral cross-sectional shape which, although different from that of the distal side wall 22 in order to maintain the asymmetry, is not or is not entirely flat. In this case, the throat element 14 may be offset so as to be more towards one side of the channel element 12 than the other, but may not be entirely at one side.

The throat element 14 of this embodiment is provided substantially symmetrically about the said bisecting plane 36. However, again, the throat element 14 may itself be asymmetric about this bisecting plane 36, and may even cross through the bisecting plane 36, for example, if the throat element 14 is not intended to be vertical.

To maintain a suitable gap between the first and second throat walls 38, 40, a plurality of spacers 44 is utilised. In this case, each, preferably metal or plastics, spacer 44 is a separate plate element having two pairs of spaced arms 46. The arms 46 are receivable through corresponding slots 48 in the throat walls 38, 40, and free ends are then folded over to prevent the arms 46 from being pulling back through the slots 48.

As an alternative, a flange may be provided along one side of each spacer to enable the spacer to be fixed to one of the throat walls 38, 40 prior to assembly of the two parts 16, 18 of the channel element 12. The arms on the flange side of the spacer can thus be dispensed with, and the remaining arms on the other side can be received through the corresponding slots in the adjacent throat wall 38, 40, when the channel element 12 is assembled.

To close an end of the channel element 12 and the throat element 14, an end cap 50 is provided. See FIG. 6. The end cap 50 is a, typically metal or plastics, plate having a general perimeter shape which matches or substantially matches a lateral cross-section of the channel element 12 and the throat element 14. A slot 52 is provided in the end cap 50 to receive at least the distal side wall 22 of the channel element 12, which would thus have a longer longitudinal extent than the proximal side wall 20. The end cap 50, when slidably received on the distal side wall 22 would this abut the proximal side wall 20 and throat element 14.

To hold the end cap 50 in place, one or more foldable tabs 54 are provided adjacent in or on the distal side wall 22 at or adjacent to its end.

To enable the asymmetric slot drain 10 to extend around a corner, and/or to provide an outlet for run-off water to a main drainage conduit or pipe 56, an access/outlet box 58 is provided, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. The access/outlet box 58, in this embodiment, has four separate box sides 60 interengaged via slots 62 and tabs 64. A, preferably removable, cover element 66 provides a recessed upper surface, and a base element 68 closes a bottom of the box 58. The base element 68 is also held in place by having its edges engaged with the box sides 60 via tabs 69 and slots 70.

At least one of the box sides 60 includes one or more frangible cut-out portions 72. In this case, a first frangible cut-out portion 74 has a shape which matches or substantially matches a lateral cross-sectional shape of the channel element 12 of the slot drain 10. A second frangible cut-out portion 76 has a shape which is complementary with a lateral cross-sectional shape of the main drainage conduit or pipe 56.

The cut-out portions 72 are bounded by preformed slots or cuts 78 in the respective box side 60 so that a plurality of only small connections remain between the cut-out portions 72 and the rest of the box side 60. The cut-out portion 72 can thus be broken away from the rest of the box side 60, either by hand or by a cutting tool, as necessity dictates.

In this embodiment, the first and second cut-out portions 72 are provided on different box sides 60, but they may be provided on only one box side 60.

Furthermore, it will be understood that a plurality of cut-out portions 72 may be provided for different sizes, orientations and shapes of slot drain 10, as well as different sizes of main drainage conduit or pipe 56.

As shown in FIG. 8, an end cap adapter 82 can be provided to allow a standard drainage pipe, typically having a circular lateral cross-section, to be fluidly connected to the channel element 12 of the asymmetric slot drain 10. The adapter 82 is similar to the above-described access/outlet box 58, having four sides 84 interengaged by slots 86 and tabs 88, a base also engaged with the sides 84 by slots 90 and tabs 92, and a sloping cover 94 which is integrally formed as one-piece with one of the sides 84. The cover 94 in this embodiment is fixed and thus not removable.

At least one of the box sides 84 includes one or more frangible cut-out portions 96. In this case, a first frangible cut-out portion 98 has a shape which matches or substantially matches a lateral cross-sectional shape of the channel element 12 of the slot drain 10. A second frangible cut-out portion 100 has a shape which is complementary with a lateral cross-sectional shape of the standard drainage.

The cut-out portions 96 are bounded by preformed slots or cuts in the respective side 84 so that a plurality of only small connections remain between the cut-out portions 96 and the rest of the box side 84. The cut-out portion 96 can thus be broken away from the rest of the box side 84, either by hand or by a cutting tool, as necessity dictates.

In this embodiment, the first and second cut-out portions 98, 100 are provided on the same side 84, but they may be, additionally or alternatively, provided on different sides 84.

Furthermore, it will be understood that a plurality of cut-out portions 96 may be provided for different sizes, orientations and shapes of slot drain 10, as well as different sizes of standard drainage pipe.

To install the asymmetric slot drain 10, a suitable channel or trench 102 is dug along the side of a building surface, foundation or wall 104. A thin layer of expansion material 106 is placed in the trench 102 and along the wall 104, and the asymmetric slot drain 10 is placed with its proximal side wall 20 against the expansion material 106. In this way, the mouth 42 of the throat element 14 is as close as possible to surface of the wall 106, and thus decorative paving or tiles are not required between the mouth 42 of the slot drain 10 and surface of the wall 104.

Once the slot drain 10 is located, one end can be attached to the access/outlet box 58 or adapter 82 once a suitable cut-out portion 72, 96 has been removed. Hereafter, installation is described with reference to the access/outlet box 58. A main drainage conduit 56 is connected to the access/outlet box 58 at a lower position so that run-off water flowing from the channel element 12 and into the access/outlet box 58 then flows into the main drainage conduit 56. A first concrete layer 108 is poured into the trench 102 to encase and hold the foot elements 34 of the slot drain 10 and the lower portion of the access/outlet box 58. Once suitably cured, a second concrete layer 110 is poured to cover or substantially cover the channel element 12. A polymer modified concrete layer 112 is then finally poured to cover a lower portion of the throat element 14 and provide a bed for decorative tiles or paving blocks 114. An upper surface 116 of the tiles or paving blocks lies in the same horizontal or substantially horizontal plane as the mouth 42 of the throat element 14, which is also coplanar with an uppermost edge 118 of the access/outlet box 58. A waterproof flexible sealant strip 120 is used between the uppermost edge 122 of the throat element 14 and the wall 104.

Although the lateral cross-section of the channel element is generally trapezoid shaped, there is no reason why it cannot be other shapes. The abutting side wall, although preferably in a single or sole plane, could potentially be or include a curve. The throat element, although vertical or substantially vertical when in use, could potentially extend at a sloping angle.

The two parts of the channel element with the two walls of the throat element integrally formed as one-pieces thereon is preferable for ease of manufacture, storage and transportation. However, it is perfectly feasible that the throat element could be separate of the channel element. The channel element may be one-piece or more than two pieces, and the throat element may be one-piece or more than two pieces.

It is thus possible to provide a slot drain which, through its asymmetry and offset throat element, allows extremely close yet unobtrusive positioning of the mouth of the throat element to a wall surface, such as a facade of a building whilst retaining a large channel element.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An asymmetric slot drain comprising a channel element and a throat element having two walls which extend upwardly from a channel opening of the channel element, the throat element being offset towards one-side of the channel element.

2. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lateral cross-section of the channel element is asymmetric about a plane which is perpendicular to and bisects the channel opening.

3. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel element has at least two parts.

4. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 3, wherein each part is a longitudinal side of the channel element.

5. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein one side of the channel element meets one wall of the throat element so as to be coplanar or substantially coplanar.

6. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one side of the channel element is flat or substantially flat.

7. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the channel element to one side of a plane which is perpendicular to and bisects the channel opening is planar or substantially planar.

8. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel element is formed in at least two parts, and wherein a first said wall of the throat element is formed integrally with a first said part of the channel element and a second said wall of the throat element is formed integrally with a second said part of the channel element.

9. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel element has a top wall, a base wall and two opposing side walls, the base wall being non-perpendicular to both side walls.

10. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 9, wherein the top wall is non-perpendicular to both to both side walls.

11. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 9, wherein one side wall, the top wall and the base wall are integrally formed together as one-piece.

12. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lateral cross-sectional shape of the channel element is a trapezoid

13. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 12, wherein the throat element extends from between a base and one side of the trapezoid

14. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a spacer between the walls of the throat element.

15. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 14, wherein the spacer is recessed from an opening of the throat element.

16. An asymmetric slot drain as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an asymmetric end cap which is engagable with an end of the channel element and the throat element.

17. Slot drain apparatus comprising an asymmetric slot drain and an access/outlet box to which an end of the slot drain can be coupled, the slot drain including a channel element and a throat element having two walls which extend upwardly from a channel opening of the channel element, the throat element being offset towards one-side of the channel element, and the access/outlet box having at least one side including at least one frangible cut-out portion shaped to provide on removal an opening which matches or substantially matches a lateral cross-section of the channel element.

18. Slot drain apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the access/outlet box includes at least one further frangible cut-out portion shaped to provide on removal an opening for receiving a drainage pipe.

19. Slot drain apparatus comprising an asymmetric slot drain and an end cap adapter to which an end of the slot drain can be coupled, the slot drain including a channel element and a throat element having two walls which extend upwardly from a channel opening of the channel element, the throat element being offset towards one-side of the channel element, and the end cap adapter having at least one side including at least one frangible cut-out portion shaped to provide on removal an opening which matches or substantially matches a lateral cross-section of the channel element.

20. Slot drain apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the end cap adapter includes at least one further frangible cut-out portion shaped to provide on removal an opening for receiving a standard drainage pipe.