PERIMETER DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR SHOWERS

Abstract

A drainage system including grated tracks adapted to be located along a periphery of a floor. In addition, the drainage system includes at least one drain located on the grated tracks, an underneath channel running below the grated tracks, and at least one drain conduit running from the at least one drain to a floor drain.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a drainage system for a shower, and more particularly to a drainage system for a shower located around the perimeter of the shower.

A large number of showers are installed every year. A typical shower employs a floor drain that is located near the center of the shower floor which is inclined downward toward the drain. Unfortunately, often the center drain becomes slippery and because it is located in the center of the shower, it is hard for the user to avoid standing on it, which may cause the user to fall.

In addition, in shower floors made of stone such as marble or granite, the stone must include additional diagonal cuts to create the slopes of incline toward the drain, which results in an aesthetically unpleasing look.

Furthermore, because of the inclination of the shower floor, all the debris is collected on the centered drain clogging the drain.

As can be seen, there is a need for a drainage system for a shower floor that is safe, looks aesthetically pleasant, and does not clog easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, the drainage system comprises: grated tracks adapted to be located along a periphery of a floor; at least one drain located on the grated tracks; an underneath channel running below the grated tracks; and at least one drain conduit running from the at least one drain to a floor drain.

In another aspect of the present invention, the drainage system comprises: grated tracks adapted to be located along a periphery of a floor; at least one drain located on the grated tracks; an underneath channel running below the grated tracks; at least one drain conduit running from the at least one drain to a floor drain: and a waterproof membrane placed underneath the top surface floor that extends over the underneath channel.

In one embodiment, the underneath channel may included a waterproof strip that may be sloped to achieve the requisite fall in elevation (“fall strip”);

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the drainage system taken along section II-II′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing an adjustable floor pitch tier;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective front view of an underneath channel of the drainage system of FIG. 1 showing mitered corners;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective front view of the fall strip according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the drainage system taken along section III-III′ of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a drainage system including a shower floor having side edges; grated tracks located along the periphery of the shower floor thus, water and debris may drain to the side of the shower floor where the grated track is located. Then, the water is brought by a descending channel to a corner drain that sits below the grated track

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention on which the drainage system 10 may include at least one drain 90 located along the length of grated tracks 70.

In addition, FIG. 1 shows the drainage system 10 of the present invention, which may include a shower floor 20 having corners 30, 40, 50, 60. Grated tracks 70 may be located along the periphery of the shower floor 20. In addition, FIG. 1 shows that the drainage system 10 may include a drain 90 located on each corner 30, 40, 50, 60. In one embodiment, the drains may be located at any point along the length of the grated track 70. Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows that the drainage system 10 may include an underneath channel 100 that may run below the tracks. In one embodiment, the slope may be pre-fabricated into the underneath channel 100. In one embodiment, the underneath channel 100 may include a fall strip 105 inserted over the channel to achieve the requisite slope if the slope has not been built into the channel 100. The Fall Strip 105 may be sized, sloped, and mitered such that may lay into the underneath channel 100 creating the necessary drainage flow.

Drain conduits 110 may run from each one of the drains 90 to the floor drain 120.

Although the shape of the shower floor 20 represented in the drawing is substantially square, it will be seen to those skilled in the art that many other shapes may be used such as rectangular, triangular, round, pentagonal, or hexagonal.

The grated tracks 70 may include openings 80 and may be made of a non-corrosive and waterproof material, including but not limited to plastic, glass, or stainless steel. In one embodiment, the grated tracks 70 are made of stainless steel. The grated tracks 70 may be span to the entire shower floor 20. The openings 80 may be between 0.75 to 2.0 inches long. In one embodiment, the openings are 1.5 inches long. The opening 80 may be 1/16 to ¼ of an inch wide. In one embodiment, the grated tracks are removable.

The underneath channel 100 may be made of a waterproof material, including but not limited to plastic, ceramics, stainless steel, glass, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In one embodiment, the underneath channel 100 is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In one embodiment, the underneath channel may include a slope. In one embodiment the underneath channel 100 has a concave shape. The slope of the underneath channel 100 may be between 1/16 to ¼ inches. In one embodiment, the slope is ⅛ of an inch. The corners of the underneath channel 100 may be mitered to facilitate the flow of water.

The drain 90 may include a drain conduit 110 that may run from the corner drain 90 to the floor drain 120 to guide the water to the floor drain 120. The drain conduit 110 may be made of a water-impermeable material such as plastic, glass, stainless steel, or a polymer. In one embodiment, the drain conduit 110 may be made of plastic. The drain conduit may take on various suitable shapes.

In one embodiment, the drainage system 10 of the present invention may include a waterproof membrane 130 located between the shower floor 20 and the preformed shower tray 140 and at the contact surfaces of the grated tracks 70 and the underneath channel 100.

In one embodiment, the drainage system 10 further includes an adjustable floor pitch tier 150. The adjustable floor pitch tier 150 may include a base 160 fastened to the floor 20; a threaded post 170 connected to the base 160 at one end and to a cap plate 180 at the other end. The adjustable floor pitch may allow adjusting to the slope of the floor

In the present invention water and debris may drain to the side of the shower floor where the grated track is located. The water and debris are then brought by a descending channel to a corner drain that sits below the grated. The design of the present invention may reduce clogging of the drain because hair and debris may be collected at the underneath channel, which can be cleaned periodically. In addition, the design of the present invention may help to improve the aesthetic aspect of the shower, because the tracks can be easily integrated into the pattern of the shower floor.

The drainage system of the present invention is not limited to a shower floor. The system may be used in any type of floor that needs to be drained. In one embodiment, the floor may be a kitchen floor.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A drainage system comprising:

grated tracks adapted to be located along a periphery of a floor;

an underneath channel running below the grated tracks;

at least one drain located on the underneath channel; and

at least one drain conduit running from the at least one drain to a floor drain.

2. The drainage system of claim 1, wherein the underneath channel has a concave shape.

3. The drainage system of claim 1, wherein the underneath channel includes a slope or a fall strip inserted into the underneath channel.

4. The drainage system of claim 3, wherein the slope is between 1/16 to ¼ of an inch.

5. The drainage system of claim 1, wherein the grated tracks are removable.

6. The drainage system of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable floor pitch tier.

7. The drainage system of claim 1, further including four drains.

8. A drainage system comprising:

grated tracks adapted to be located along a periphery of a floor;

an underneath channel running below the grated tracks;

at least one drain located on the underneath channel;

at least one drain conduit running from the at least one drain to a floor drain; and

a waterproof membrane placed between the floor and the underneath channel.

9. The drainage system of claim 8, further comprising an adjustable floor pitch tier.

10. The drainage system of claim 8, wherein the grated tracks are removable.

11. A drainage system for receiving water from a floor, said drainage system comprising:

grated tracks having a plurality of openings;

an underneath channel running below said grated tracks;

a drain located on said underneath channel;

a fall strip placed in said underneath channel, wherein said fall strip achieves a slope creating drainage flow to said drain.

12. The drainage system of claim 11 wherein said grated tracks and underneath channel are located along a periphery of a shower floor.

13. The drainage system of claim 11 further comprising a drain conduit running from said drain to a floor drain.

14. The drainage system of claim 11 further comprising a waterproof membrane placed along the floor and extending over said underneath channel.

15. The drainage system of claim 12 further comprising a drain conduit running from said drain to a floor drain.

16. The drainage system of claim 15 further comprising a waterproof membrane placed along the floor and extending over said underneath channel.

17. The drainage system of claim 11 wherein said underneath channel is made of polyvinyl chloride.

18. The drainage system of claim 11 wherein said grated tracks are made of plastic.

19. The drainage system of claim 11 wherein a preformed tray is provide below the floor, and wherein a waterproof membrane is located between the floor and said tray and extends over said underneath channel.

20. The drainage system of claim 11 wherein said grated tracks are removable.