Patent Application
20110308639
1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates in general to a drainage system, and more particularly, to an under deck drainage system. The under deck drainage system is configured for use elsewhere other than under a deck, and the use of the deck structure is for exemplary purposes and not to be deemed limiting.
2. Background Art
The use of under deck drainage systems is known in the art. Such drainage systems provide drainage of the rainwater and runoff that falls in the gaps between adjoining boards of a deck structure. Without such systems, rainwater and runoff will drip and run between the boards. Typically, such runoff and rainwater tend to create gullies and standing water under a deck. In other instances the same can damage or destroy landscaping.
Problematically, most under deck drainage systems are directed solely to handle the water that is directed through a deck. However, in many instances, homeowners are building structures under the deck for additional living space or additional storage space. As these structures are built below the deck drainage system, it would be advantageous to utilize the drainage system as the ceiling of such structures. However, due to their configurations, a plurality of gaps and openings exist for insects and other creatures to enter into the structure. It is often difficult, impractical and otherwise problematic to seal all of these openings.
It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide an under deck drainage system (or other structure) which can be utilized as the ceiling of a structure placed below the drainage system.
This object as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.
The disclosure is directed to a drainage system typically utilized under a deck or other outdoor structure. The disclosure is not limited to use under a deck, but the use under a deck is for illustrative purposes as the disclosure is well suited for such use. The drainage system comprises a frame and a plurality of drainage basins. The frame has at least three pairs of frame engaging elements. Each drainage basin has an outer and an inner surface. Additionally each has a central region with first and second side ends, as well as, first and second frame engaging structures. The first frame engaging structure is positioned at the first side end and includes an inwardly directed leg having a retention lip engagement flange configured to engage one of the frame engaging elements. The second frame engaging structure is positioned at the second side end and includes an inwardly directed leg having an inboard retention lip engagement nub and an outboard retention lip engagement flange configured to engage opposing adjacent frame engaging elements. A slot covering flange extends over the first frame engaging structure. The slot covering flange covers the area formed by the cooperation of the first frame engaging structure of a first drainage basin with the second frame engaging structure of a second drainage basin.
In a preferred embodiment, each drainage basin is formed from a single sheet of material and the slot covering flange is formed from an overlapped portion of the single sheet of material.
In another preferred embodiment, the slot covering flange abuts the central region of an immediately adjacent drainage basin in an installed configuration.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the drainage basins each comprise an aluminum sheet of material.
Preferably, the drainage basin has a length of between three and twenty feet.
In a preferred embodiment, the drainage basin has a width of between two and ten inches.
In another preferred embodiment, the width of the central region exceeds that of the slot covering flange.
In another aspect of the disclosure, the disclosure is directed to a drainage basin for use in a drainage system of the type described. Such a drainage basin includes a central region and first and second side ends. Additionally, the drainage basin includes a first frame engaging structure positioned at the first side end. The first frame engaging structure has an inwardly directed leg having a retention lip engagement flange configured to engage a frame engaging element of a frame. A second frame engaging structure is positioned at the second side end. It includes an inwardly directed leg having an inboard retention lip engagement nub and an outboard retention lip engagement flange configured to engage a frame engaging element of a frame. Finally, a slot covering flange extends over the first frame engaging structure. The slot covering flange covers the area formed by the cooperation of the first frame engaging structure of the drainage basin with a second frame engaging structure of a second drainage basin.
The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment illustrated.
It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
The frame 12 comprises a plurality of members that are spaced apart and attached to the underside of a deck. For example, a plurality of frames extend either across the width of the deck, or across the length of the deck. Each of the plurality of frames is positioned substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance. For example, the spacing of the separate frame lengths can match the spacing of the underlying beams, or 16″ on center. Of course, other spacing is likewise contemplated, such as 12″, 24″, 32″, among others. The particular layout below the deck or the particular spacing and position of each of the frame lengths disclosed is not to be deemed limiting, but is rather to be illustrative of the various combinations that are contemplated.
With reference to
Inasmuch as the two rows are substantially identical, one of the rows will be described, and in particular a few of the frame engaging elements which are also substantially identical in functional configuration. Specifically, eight separate frame engaging elements 24a through 24h With respect to the features of the frame engaging elements, the frame engaging element 24a will be described with the understanding that the frame engaging elements 24b through 24h are substantially identical.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
More specifically, and with reference to
At one end of the central region, the slot covering flange is disposed. The slot covering flange essentially comprises a folded over two ply portion of sheet from which the drainage basin is formed. The slot covering flange covers the slot that is formed when two drainage basins are sequentially joined together in a side by side orientation. Generally, the upper portion of the folded over two ply portion is substantially planar with the central region.
The first frame engaging structure 64 includes inward leg 70 which extends from the lower portion of the folded over two ply portion and defines the width of the slot covering flange. The inward leg 70 terminates at retention lip engagement flange 72, which is configured to extend into the respective opposing retaining region 44, 46, and to engage, directly or indirectly, one of the retention lips 36, 38 of the respective protrusions.
The second frame engaging structure 66 is shown in
The construction will be explained with respect to the placement of two adjoining drainage basins with the understanding that additional drainage basins can be added sequentially along the frame.
Specifically, first at least one frame is attached to the underside of the deck or other structure from which proper drainage through the under deck drainage system is required. The individual frame members typically come in a standard length, such as 10 feet, 12 feet, 14 feet or 16 feet, although they are not limited thereto. Often it is necessary to cut a longer frame to a desired length that matches that which is required. In other embodiments, custom lengths may be provided. In other configurations it may be necessary to butt up two or more frame members sequentially to arrive at the proper configuration.
The frame is coupled to the underside of the deck by way of wood screws or the like. In certain embodiments, other types of screws, nails, adhesives and the like can be utilized. Typically multiple frames can be utilized, wherein the frames are generally positioned in parallel and in a spaced apart orientation. Generally, the frames can be spaced apart every 32 to 48 inches (corresponding to every other or every third deck beam in a substantially standard construction of beams 16 inches on center). Significantly, it is typically necessary to mount the frames in such a way that the frame engaging elements generally correspond to each other across the several frames. This will assist with the proper positioning of the drainage basins and the proper coupling of the drainage basins to the underlying frames.
Once the frames have been installed, then the drainage basins can be installed. Typically, the drainage basins are formed from a steel or an aluminum material and have some flexibility and deformability, both plastic and elastic. The drainage basins can have a design or a surface configuration imprinted or otherwise applied to the outside surface thereof. Additionally, the drainage basins can be painted, electroplated, anodized or otherwise colored so as to be available in a number of different colors and styles.
With reference to
It will be understood that such a position will tend to direct the first frame engaging structure into a receiving region between subsequent frame engaging elements. In certain embodiments, this may be a subsequent set of frame engaging elements, or additional frame engaging elements may be positioned therebetween. The invention is not limited to any particular spacing of the frame engaging elements, or the width of any one or more of the drainage basins.
More particularly, the inward leg of the first frame engaging structure is directed into the passageway and engages the second side retention lip of the adjacent frame engaging element. At such time, this particular drainage basin has been fully installed. The subsequent drainage basin is then ready for installation.
To install the subsequent drainage basin, the user grasps a second drainage basin and determines into which receiving region the second frame engagement structure should be positioned so that the first frame engagement structure is directed to overlie the second frame engagement structure of an immediately preceding drainage basin. Once the proper receiving region has been determined, the second frame engagement structure of the second drainage basin is directed into the appropriate receiving region. As was explained above, the second frame engagement structure is manipulated so that the inboard retention lip engagement nub is properly positioned within the first opposing retaining region and held in place by the first side retention lip. Similarly, the outboard retention lip engagement flange is directed into the second opposing retaining region and held in place by the second side retention lip.
As the second frame engagement structure is positioned, the first frame engagement structure is directed into the respective receiving region so that the inward leg is directed beyond the passageway and so that the retention lip engagement flange nests within the outer retention lip engagement flange of the previously positioned drainage basin. In such a configuration, the slot covering flange covers the second frame engagement region of the previously positioned drainage basin and provides abutment to the central region of the previously positioned drainage basin.
Thus, with the slot covering flange in position, a substantially planar and smooth surface is created by the outside surface of the drainage basins. Without such a slot covering flange, a series of slots exist in a spaced apart fashion along the entirety of the under deck drainage system. With reference to
The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
