Scope of the Invention
[0001] The present invention concerns a floor drain with a drain bowl with an outer side
and a lower central drain connection which is adapted for connecting to either a straight
drain pipe or to an angular drain pipe, the drain bowl including a grate forming a
detachable lid and a mounting flange externally on the outer side of the drain bowl.
Background of the Invention
[0002] It is prior art to provide the drain bowl of a floor drain with a mounting flange
intended to act as a lubricated membrane which is lubricated or painted for guiding
water into the drain bowl when connected to a building membrane with the purpose of
establishing a waterproof connection between the floor drain in a wet room, e.g. a
bathroom and a building membrane.
[0003] In connection with modernising or rebuilding of e.g. multi-storey buildings, it may
be difficult to use current floor drains with mounting flanges, since it may be very
tedious or impossible to achieve the required tight connection between the mounting
flange of the floor drain and the building membrane.
[0004] In connection with cast floors it is known that floor drains are cast in place or
fastened by using different types of anchor means connecting the drain bowl with surrounding
building parts. This is difficult and usually requires utilisation of separate anchor
means.
[0005] For some applications, it is moreover required to secure the floor drain by a ground
anchor. This is typically effected in that earth connections are fastened by welding
or by screwing screws into the drain bowl.
[0006] In buildings with storey partitions, it is furthermore difficult to build in floor
drains with low height in wet rooms and/or kitchens, as it is to be provided that
there is sufficient slope from the drain and out to a collector well and/or to the
sewage system.
[0007] In order that the prior art drain unit may be adapted to different types of installation
situations, the installation worker is required to carry different types of fittings,
as e.g. connecting pieces, sockets, pipe sections and pipe bends with different dimensions.
[0008] For example, it is a disadvantage for the maker of the drain unit that other elements
in addition to the drain unit itself, which are depending on the specific installation
option, are to be used.
Object of the Invention
[0009] It is the purpose of the invention to indicate an improved floor drain of the kind
mentioned in the introduction, including a mounting flange which may be mounted in
an easy and rapid way into and connected to either an existing or a newly established
building membrane, while at the same time providing possibility of secure anchoring
of the floor drain. Moreover, it is desirable that the floor drain is made of few
part elements and may be used with low installation height.
Description of the Invention
[0010] According to the present invention, this is achieved with a floor drain as specified
in the preamble of claim 1 and which is peculiar in that the mounting flange is made
integral with the drain bowl and is formed by a rim area at the upper edge of the
drain bowl, and that integrated anchor means are formed at the outer delimiting edge
of the rim area, arranged so as to be bent outwards from the plane of the mounting
flange.
[0011] Hereby is achieved a floor drain with a drain bowl with integral mounting flange
which may easily be anchored into and get a good connection with a cast floor, e.g.
a cast storey partition. It is preferred that the anchor means are adapted for fixation
by embedding into a cast floor, e.g. a wet room floor. Since the mounting flange is
made with integrated anchor means, there may be established a fixation of the drain
bowl in a cast floor, after which an overlying building membrane may be fastened subsequently
to the top side of the mounting flange. A well-defined position of the drain bowl
in the floor is secured by the embedment of the anchor means.
[0012] The floor drain according to the invention is suitably made of stainless steel sheeting.
It is preferably made by forming without any welding of individual parts, or with
a minimum of weldings.
[0013] The floor drain may be secured in the ground in a simple and safe way when, according
to a particular embodiment, it is peculiar in that the mounting flange also includes
an integral mounting means for earth rods which may be used for securing the drain
bowl in the ground.
[0014] The floor drain according to the invention is preferably designed so that the mounting
flange is formed mainly square, preferably with rounded corners, and that the drain
bowl has preferably circular cross-section.
[0015] In principle, there is nothing to prevent the mounting flange and the drain bowl,
respectively, from having any other desirable cross-sectional shape. The drain bowl
and the mounting flange may thus have an edged outer side.
[0016] If there is a need for adaptation to the height of an existing or newly established
building membrane, according to an embodiment of the invention the floor drain is
peculiar in that an inner bowl has been provided within the drain bowl, where the
inner bowl via a packing is mounted to the inner side of the drain bowl in a displaceable
way in relation to the drain bowl. Furthermore, it is preferred that the packing is
mounted in a recess in the inner bowl, and that it has a design so that, in addition
to a mutual height displacement of the inner bowl and the drain bowl, mutual tilting
is also enabled. Hereby, adaptation of the height and the angle of the grate of the
floor drain mounted in the inner bowl is enabled in relation to the floor.
[0017] In order to provide secure ground connection in a simple way, it is preferred that
the inner bowl is provided with a bent upper edge area, and that this edge area also
includes an integral mounting means for earth rod. Earthing of both drain bowl and
inner bowl may hereby be provided.
[0018] According to a further embodiment, the floor drain according to the invention is
peculiar in that the bottom of the drain bowl is made inclining at least over a sub-distance,
that a stand-pipe forming the drain stub and downwards including a connection sleeve
for the drain pipe is provided, and that the drain pipe is angular and has varying
cross-section. Moreover, it is preferred that a bell part is provided with mounting
means for securing the bell part at the upper edge of the stand-pipe.
[0019] In order to prevent air and return flow in the drain system, the drain unit is designed
with a water trap whereby the drain water collected in the drain bowl passes down
by the bell part and up between the stand-pipe and the bell part, after which the
drain water may leave the drain system via stand-pipe and drain stub.
[0020] Thereby, an amount of water will always stand in the drain bowl, preventing smell
from the drain stub, which is connected to the sewer network, from going back through
the drain unit.
[0021] The grate forms a detachable lid on the drain bowl which e.g. by means of screws
can be removed from the drain bowl or the inner bowl.
[0022] By cleaning, it is an advantage that a drain system is provided with a dismountable
part, e.g. in that it is possible to remove the dismountable lid and thereby access
the stand-pipe and parts of the drain stub. This provides that it is easy to clean
the drain unit itself while at the same time it is possible to flush pipe/sewer system,
or to use a cleaning wire from the drain side, in case of clogging in some part of
the succeeding pipe/sewer system.
[0023] The grate is typically a circular or polygonal plate in which are provided a number
of openings which may be arranged symmetrically or in certain patterns. The important
thing is that there are enough openings, or that the openings are large enough to
allow the amount of drain water appearing to be collected/led down into the drain
bowl.
[0024] The grate may have a slight concave or convex shape, where the concave shape may
contribute to prevent large elements in the drain water from penetrating down into
the drain bowl, while the convex shape may contribute to leading the drain water down
into the drain bowl.
[0025] In order to safeguard against leaking of drain water from the drain unit to the surroundings,
e.g. in the storey partitioning, where a leaking drain unit may cause expensive damage
on floor and ceiling, the connecting end of the drain pipe is inserted in the stand-pipe,
which in the lower end includes a connection sleeve in which is disposed a sealing
ring that ensure a tight connection between the stand-pipe and the drain stub.
[0026] In order to produce drain units with as few individual parts as possible, and simultaneously
to achieve great flexibility so that the drain unit can be mounted in new as well
as existing installations, the drain pipe is angle-bent and with varying cross-section.
[0027] The flexibility of the drain unit is achieved in that the drain pipe is angle-bent
and with varying cross-section. Hereby, the installation worker may cut in the part
of the drain pipe with varying cross-section so that the drain pipe has appropriate
length and cross-sectional dimension that fit the succeeding connection in the pipe/sewer
system.
[0028] In order to reduce the installation height of the floor drain according to the present
invention, the bottom of the drain bowl is shaped inclining over a sub-distance. This
entails that the bottom in the area on the angular drain pipe, which has a varying
cross-section, can be adapted, whereby the total installation height of the drain
system becomes less than if the drain unit had a flat bottom and a vertically downwards
directed drain pipe with an angled bend thereon.
[0029] The stand-pipe in the drain bowl is typically disposed centrally so that it is possible
to mount the drain pipe projecting at any angle relative to the drain bowl, while
at the same time the drain water may flow uniformly around the bell part, irrespectively
of the direction in which the drain water passes the grate.
[0030] In order to attain reduction of the installation height, there is provided a drain
pipe which is designed with a connecting end for inserting in the connecting sleeve
and close thereby a side narrowing, and that the varying cross-section is found opposite
to the connecting end.
[0031] The side narrowing of the drain pipe which is close at the connecting end, entails
that the bottom part of the drain bowl corresponds in shape with the side narrowing,
whereby these two elements engage each other, whereby the bottom part can bear on
the top side of the side narrowing, providing that the installation height is substantially
reduced.
[0032] By using a side narrowing with a length approximately corresponding to the width
of the bottom of the part of the bottom of the bottom bowl formed by stand-pipe and
drain bowl, due to the side narrowing there will not be a reduction of the capacity
of the drain unit since the side narrowing is only provided over this short length
and is preferably disposed immediately at the connecting end/angle bend.
[0033] Following the side narrowing, opposite the connecting end, the drain stub will be
shaped with varying cross-section. In order to attain further flexibility of the drain
unit, the dimensions of the said connecting end and a section after the side narrowing
are identical. This means that the installation worker can cut off the drain pipe
in/or around the section after the side narrowing, and then choose which part of the
drain pipe that is to be mounted in the connection sleeve of the stand-pipe.
[0034] In order to ensure stable mounting of the drain unit, an inclining sub-distance extends
between mutually parallel sub-surfaces of the bottom of the drain bowl. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the inclining sub-distance will be the part of the bottom
of the drain bowl that includes the area in which the stand-pipe is placed. This implies
that the drain bowl has sub-surfaces in two parallel areas along each side edge of
the bottom bowl. By a flat bottom part it may be used for abutting on the side narrowing
of the drain stub. This means that when the bottom face is abutting on the side narrowing
of the drain stub, the drain bowl will be supported in a stable way for a subsequent
embedding by casting.
[0035] Furthermore, the flat bottom parts may be used for blocking-up, e.g. in situations
where the mounting opening is too deep or uneven for stable mounting of the drain
unit, e.g. by using a wedge a support of the drain bowl of the drain unit in the desired
position may be provided.
Short Description of the Drawing
[0036] The invention will then be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawing, where
- Fig. 1A
- shows an exploded perspective view of a floor according to the invention,
- Fig. 1B
- shows a perspective view of a floor drain according to the invention;
- Fig. 2A
- shows a perspective view of a drain bowl for the floor drain shown in Fig. 1, as seen
from above;
- Fig. 2B
- shows a perspective view of a drain bowl for the floor drain shown in Fig. 1, as seen
from below;
- Fig. 3
- shows a perspective view of an inner bowl for the floor drain shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4
- shows a perspective view of a grate for the floor drain shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 5
- shows a perspective view of a bell for the floor drain shown in Fig. 1; and
- Fig. 6
- shows a perspective view of a strainer for the floor drain shown in Fig. 1.
Detailed description of the invention
[0037] The floor drain 2 shown in Figs. 1A and Fig. 1B includes a drain bowl 4 with a cylindric
outer side 6. The drain bowl 4 includes a water trap with a lower central drain stub
in the shape of a stand-pipe 8, in which a vertical connection end 10 of an angular
drain pipe 12 may be mounted by means of a suitable packing 14. The stand-pipe 8 has
an upper edge 9. The drain pipe is a connecting element used for connecting the floor
drain with other drain pipes/installations.
[0038] At the top, the floor drain 2 is provided with an inner bowl 16 supporting a square
drain grate 18 which is detachably fastened to a square top part 20 of the inner bowl
16 with a screw 22. The inner bowl 16 has a cylindric bottom part 24 with a recess
26 for accommodating a packing 28 which is in contact with the inner side 30 of the
drain bowl 4 and enables adjusting in height, rotation and tilting of the inner bowl
16 in relation to the drain bowl 4.
[0039] In the interspace between the stand-pipe 8 and the bottom part 24 of the inner bowl
16 there is mounted a bell 32 and a strainer 34.
[0040] Figs. 1A and 1B moreover show how the connecting end 10 of the drain pipe 12 is connected
with an angular drain end 11 with varying external cross-sections 11 a and 11 b and
internal cross-sections 11c and 11d as well as a narrowing 13. On this drain pipe
there may thus be fitted sewer pipes externally on or inside the varying parts 11
a - 11d of the drain end, as an installation worker may cut off the outermost part
of the drain end 11.
[0041] In Fig. 1B appears that the bottom part of the drain bowl 4 is disposed down in the
side narrowing 13 of the drain pipe 12.
[0042] On Fig. 1B is clearly seen how the narrowing 13 in drain pipe 12 corresponds in shape
to a part of drain bowl 4 and stand-pipe 8, and thereby it is possible to rotate the
drain pipe 12 through 360 degrees so that drain unit 1 can be adjusted laterally and
in height.
[0043] Figs. 2A and 2B show the drain bowl 4 in greater detail. It comprises a mounting
flange 36 which is made integral with the drain bowl 4 and is formed by a rim area
38 at the upper edge 40 of the drain bowl. The mounting flange 36 is formed externally
at the outer side 6 of the drain bowl 4. In a rim area 42 at the outer delimiting
edge 44 of the mounting flange 36, integrated anchor means 46 are formed, adapted
to be bent out from the plane of the mounting flange. These anchor means are established
as cut-outs 48 are provided, enabling bending out of the tabs formed thereby which
constitute the anchor means 46. Furthermore, an integrated mounting means 50 for earth
rod is formed at one of the anchor means.
[0044] The mounting flange 36 is mainly squarely formed with rounded corner sections in
which the anchor means 46 are formed. The anchor means 46 are bent out, preferably
downwards, for fixing by embedding into a cast floor, e.g. a bathroom floor. Subsequently,
the building membrane is connected in the usual way to the top side of the mounting
flange 36.
[0045] On Fig. 2B appears that the bottom 52 of the drain bowl 4 over a sub-distance 54
is formed inclining, and that this inclining sub-distance 54 extends between parallel
sub-surfaces 56 and 58 of the bottom 52.
[0046] The bottom 52 of the drain bowl 4 is thus designed with varying level, entailing
that when drain bowl 4 is rotated about a centre line of the connecting end 10 of
the drain pipe 10, the drain bowl 4 may be adjusted in height.
[0047] The connecting end 10 and the drain end 11 a have the same diameter, and an installation
worker may thus cut off the drain end 11 of the drain pipe so that this part may be
used as straight drain pipe. Alternatively, the fitter may cut the drain end 11b off
the drain pipe 12 so that the parts used by the drain pipe are the connecting end
10 and the drain end 11 a. It is thus possible to connect the drain bowl 4 with different
pipe diameters to the subsequent pipe and sewer system.
[0048] In Fig. 2 appears that the inner bowl 16 is provided with a bent upper edge area
60, in which an abutment surface 62 is formed for the grate 18, and that this edge
area 60 also includes an integral mounting means 64 for earth rod.
[0049] Fig. 4 shows a grate 18 having an upper surface 66 and a bent edge 68 that rests
on the abutment surface 62 of the inner bowl 16. In the upper surface 66, openings
67 with suitable size for allowing passage of drain water down into the drain bowl
4 are formed, as well as an opening 70 for the screw 22 with which the grate 18 is
detachably fastened to the inner bowl 20. Alternatively, the grate may just rest on
the inner bowl without screw connections.
[0050] Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of the bell 32. It is provided with three internal ribs
72, each having a first abutment surface 74 for bearing on the upper edge 9 of the
stand-pipe 8, and a second abutment surface 76 for bearing against the outer side
of the stand-pipe 8. Hereby is formed a water trap in the drain bowl 4. Alternatively,
another number of ribs are possible.
[0051] At the exterior of the bell 32, six other ribs 78 are formed, each having an upwards
facing abutment surface 80 on which a lower edge 82 of the strainer 34 shown in Fig.
6 is resting. The strainer 34 will preferably have such a dimension that its upper
edge 84 may approximately cover the inner area of the bottom part 24 of the inner
bowl 16. Hereby, all drain water will be led through the strainer 34.
[0052] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the Figures and described
above. Other embodiments with other shapes of the drain unit parts, including grate,
bell, drain bowl, stand-pipe and drain pipe are possible within the scope of this
invention and the subsequent claims.
1. A floor drain (2) with a drain bowl (4) with an outer side (6) and a lower central
drain connection (8) which is adapted for connecting to either a straight drain pipe
or to an angular drain pipe (12), the drain bowl including a grate (18) forming a
detachable lid and a mounting flange (36) externally on the outer side (6) of the
drain bowl (4), characterised in that the mounting flange (36) is made integral with the drain bowl and is formed by a
rim area (38) at the upper edge (40) of the drain bowl (40), and that integrated anchor
means (46) are formed at the outer delimiting edge (44) of the rim area, arranged
so as to be bent outwards from the plane of the mounting flange.
2. Floor drain (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the mounting flange (36) also includes an integrated mounting means (50) for earth
rod.
3. Floor drain (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mounting flange (36) is designed mainly square, preferably with rounded corners,
and that the drain bowl (4) preferably has circular cross-section.
4. Floor drain according to claim 1-3, characterised in that an inner bowl (16) has been provided within the drain bowl (4), the inner bowl via
a packing (28) mounted to the inner side (30) of the drain bowl (4) in a displaceable
way in relation to the drain bowl.
5. Floor drain according to claim 4, characterised in that the inner bowl (16) is provided with a bent upper edge area (60), and that this edge
area also includes an integral mounting means (64) for earth rod.
6. Floor drain according to claim 1 -5, characterised in that the anchor means (46) of the mounting flange (46) are adapted for fixation by casting
into a wet room floor.
7. Floor drain according to claim 1 -6, characterised in that the bottom (52) of the drain bowl (4) is made inclining at least over a sub-distance
(54), that a stand-pipe (8) forming the drain stub and downwards including a connection
sleeve (10) for the drain pipe (12) is provided, and that the drain pipe (12) is angular
(10) and has varying cross-section (11a, 11b).
8. Floor drain according to claim 7, characterised in that a bell part (32) is provided with mounting means (72) for securing the bell part
at the upper edge (9) of the stand-pipe (8).
9. Floor drain according to claim 4 -8, characterised in that the packing (28) is mounted in a recess (26) in the inner bowl (16), and that it
has a design so that, in addition to a mutual height displacement of the inner bowl
(16) and the drain bowl (4), mutual tilting is also enabled.
10. Floor drain according to claim 1 -9, characterised in that it is made of stainless steel sheet.