Gutter element, kit for constructing a gutter assembly, and gutter assembly

Abstract

Channel element (8) which is designed to form a channel when used with several identical channel elements (8) placed in a row, • wherein the channel element (8) has a U-shaped shell frame (9) in cross-section, which is open at two end faces and at the top, • and wherein in the shell frame (9) ◯ a trough section (11) open at the top and allowing flow from top to bottom is arranged, ◯ and below the trough section (11) a channel section (13) is arranged which is closed at the bottom and through which flow can occur in its longitudinal direction, • and wherein the shell frame (9) has a recess (14) on each of its two end faces, each of which is configured to receive a connecting element (1) in such a way that the connecting element (1) forms a watertight extension of the channel section (13) adjoining the channel section (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a channel element which is designed to form a channel when used with several identical channel elements placed in series.

[0002] Such channel elements are known from practical experience. They serve to guide water lengthwise along the channel to a defined outlet. Accordingly, the direction of flow is defined as the longitudinal direction not only of the entire channel but also of the individual channel elements, regardless of the actual dimensions of the finished element. Typically, however, the channel element is longer than it is wide and high in order to create a channel with as few joints as possible, so this length of the channel element typically also determines its longitudinal direction.

[0003] Furthermore, swales are known from practical experience, which, similar to channels, are also composed of several individual elements arranged in a row. Unlike a channel, a swale does not serve to guide water primarily horizontally, e.g., along the length of the swale, but rather in a downward flow direction. For example, a swale embedded in the ground can serve to collect surface water flowing into it from above and allow it to seep into the ground. A substrate can be arranged within the swale to treat the water and, for example, to mechanically filter out particles or to biologically and / or chemically process pollutants carried in the water, e.g., binding them or breaking them down into harmless components. Such swales can be located, for example, adjacent to traffic areas, e.g.,Parking lots or similar structures could be installed underground to treat or retain substances washed into the ground during rainfall, such as hydrocarbons, brake dust, and tire abrasion, before the treated water is released into the soil. Local infiltration of the treated water relieves the burden on the sewer system, which can otherwise become overloaded, especially during heavy rainfall.

[0004] In some applications, however, local infiltration must be avoided: for example, in water protection areas it may be required that surface water flowing from a traffic area must not enter the ground, or local infiltration is physically impossible due to the local soil conditions.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a channel element that enables the rapid and economical construction of a surface water-collecting channel, thereby relieving the burden on the sewer system, and which supports the most watertight and low-maintenance design possible for the channel. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a kit that enables the production of a channel assembly with the aforementioned advantages using the channel element. Finally, the invention is based on the objective of providing a channel assembly with these advantages.

[0006] Features of the invention are specified in claims 1, 9 and 15. Embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] According to the invention, the channel element has a U-shaped shell frame in cross-section, which is open at two end faces and at the top, and wherein an upwardly open, downwardly flowing trough section is arranged in the shell frame, and below the trough section a channel section closed at the bottom, flowing in its longitudinal direction, is arranged, and wherein the shell frame has a recess at each of its two end faces, each of which is configured to receive a connecting element in such a way that the connecting element forms a watertight extension of the channel section adjoining the channel section.

[0008] The channel element according to the invention thus combines the possibility of treating surface water in the channel section, for example with a correspondingly biologically or mechanically effective substrate, with the possibility of guiding the treated water in the channel section in an approximately horizontal direction. Through the treatment of the water, it is possible to discharge it into the sewer system and, for example, relieve the burden on wastewater treatment plants, as the pollutant load is reduced. It is also possible to further relieve the burden on the sewer system, namely by reducing the amount of water it has to handle. Because the surface water has been treated in the channel, it is possible not to discharge the water into the sewer system through the channel, but instead to direct the treated water, for example, into an underground cistern, a surface water body, or the like.

[0009] An economically advantageous and rapid production of the channel assembly is facilitated by the fact that the channel element according to the invention is designed as a so-called prefabricated installation element, which, for example, does not require lateral support shoulders made of cast-in-place concrete that would otherwise be necessary for stability reasons. Instead, it is sufficient to insert the prefabricated installation element into a trench and then heap backfill material on the sides, since the channel element, as a prefabricated installation element, possesses sufficient inherent stability. For this purpose, the channel element has a so-called shell frame, which comprises a base and two side walls and accordingly a U-shaped cross-section, and which provides the desired mechanical stability to the channel element.Within the shell frame, a trough section and a channel section are arranged one above the other, so that the water treated in the trough section can exit downwards from the trough section and flow into the channel section below. While the trough section is essentially designed for vertical flow, the channel section is designed for horizontal flow, so that the treated water can be guided to a defined channel outlet within a channel arrangement comprising a plurality of channel sections according to the invention.

[0010] The shell frame of the channel element has a recess on each of its two end faces, i.e., at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Each recess is designed to receive a connecting element. When manufacturing a channel assembly, if channel elements according to the invention are joined together, a connecting element extends accordingly into the two adjacent recesses in the shell frames of adjacent channel elements. In this way, protruding parts on the channel element itself can be avoided; rather, the connecting element protrudes from the channel element as a separate component, forming a projection. Thus, no damage is to be expected during transport or when installing the channel element on the construction site, e.g., when the channel elements are joined together.If damage does occur, it typically affects the protruding element, namely the separate connecting element that is inserted into the recess of a channel element and protrudes from it. The connecting element is small and inexpensive compared to the channel element, so damage to a connecting element results in correspondingly little economic loss. Furthermore, the damaged connecting element, being a separate component, can easily be replaced with an undamaged one, and both channel elements can then be used as intended, unchanged and without damage.

[0011] According to the invention, the connecting element extends the channel section of the channel element and forms a watertight connection to the channel section. In this way, the most watertight possible design of the channel assembly is supported, and seepage of the water carried in the channel is prevented even at the joints where two channel sections meet.

[0012] One embodiment of the channel element is characterized by the fact that the recess extends radially outwards beyond the channel section. In this way, the connecting element can be flush with the channel section, thus avoiding a projection into the channel where deposits could otherwise accumulate.

[0013] One embodiment of the channel element is characterized by the fact that the trough section extends closer to the two end faces than the channel section itself. For example, the trough section can extend to the end face of the channel element at both ends, so that when two channel elements are joined together, the two trough sections abut directly. One or both ends of the trough section can be designed to be elastically deformable, or they can have a sealing rib formed from the material of the trough section, which runs longitudinally along the trough section and is designed to abut the trough section of an adjacent channel element, or one or both ends of the trough section can be covered with a separate sealing material, which, for example, consists of an elastomer.

[0014] The channel section, however, ends at a greater distance from the end face compared to the distance of the trough section from the end face. This distance provides sufficient clearance for the recess that accommodates the connecting element. Consequently, the connecting element does not need to be radially attached to the outside of the channel section, but can instead connect to it longitudinally. This simplifies handling the connecting element and thus facilitates the rapid assembly of the channel.

[0015] One embodiment of the channel element is characterized in that the trough section is covered from above by a cover, wherein the cover has inlet openings and is designed so that water flows into the trough section through these openings during use. Such a cover can, for example, be designed as a perforated sheet, but is particularly advantageous as a grating, e.g., made of cast iron, so that, with a correspondingly robust design of the cover, the resulting channel assembly can be made walkable and / or drivable.

[0016] One embodiment of the channel element is characterized by the fact that the tray frame has guide means designed to ensure that, during use, the channel element is aligned with an adjacent channel element. This not only simplifies the correct alignment of the individual channel elements during the manufacture of the channel assembly, but the guide means can also later serve to prevent undesirable steps within the channel as well as leaks at the joints of two channel elements.

[0017] One embodiment of such a channel element is characterized by the fact that the guide elements are designed as bores intended to receive guide pins. These guide pins project beyond the channel element during use and are designed to extend into bores of the adjacent channel element. The guide pins can absorb shear forces acting on individual channel elements of the channel arrangement, for example, due to settlement. By absorbing these shear forces, the alignment of the channel elements within the channel arrangement is maintained, thus preventing undesirable steps and leaks. The design as bores or guide pins, with its comparatively simple geometry, allows for the most economical manufacturing of these guide elements.

[0018] One embodiment of the channel element is characterized by a shell frame made of a concrete material. The concrete material lends the channel element a high degree of stability. A comparatively high weight, which the concrete material can also impart to the channel element, ensures a high degree of stability, allowing the channel element to maintain its desired position in the ground. However, this high weight also means that impacts during handling of the channel element, e.g., when suspended from a crane, are transmitted with a correspondingly strong impulse from the channel element to the objects struck. Accordingly, the design according to the invention is advantageous, as protruding areas of a channel element can be avoided or are designed by a separate, comparatively small and inexpensive component in the form of a connecting element, which can be easily and economically replaced in case of damage.

[0019] One embodiment of the channel element is characterized by the fact that the trough section and / or the channel section is made of a plastic material. This makes it possible to manufacture the trough section and / or the channel section with high chemical resistance, and it also enables the economical production of complex geometries, e.g., using injection molding.

[0020] The invention further relates to a kit for manufacturing a gutter assembly, comprising at least two gutter elements, each configured according to one of the preceding claims, and at least one connecting element, which is configured to extend into the two adjacent recesses of the interconnected gutter elements. The connecting element allows the two adjacent, interconnected gutter elements to be joined to form a gutter assembly, and the gutter assembly can be extended practically indefinitely by adding further gutter elements and connecting elements. The gutter assembly has the advantages already described above, and the kit enables, on the one hand, the easy transport and handling of the individual gutter elements by appropriately limiting their dimensions and weight.

[0021] Furthermore, the kit facilitates the easiest and least damaging handling of the channel elements by designing the connecting elements as separate components, thus allowing the channel elements to be constructed without protrusions that could be damaged. Instead, a connecting element forms such a protrusion after it has been inserted into the recess of a channel element.

[0022] One embodiment of the kit is characterized in that the connecting element has an arc-shaped section that curves downwards during use and is provided with a seal on the outer surface of the arc section, designed to create a watertight seal against the shell frame during use. The arc section allows the connecting element to extend the channel section beyond the end face of the channel element, and the seal on the outer surface of the arc section ensures a watertight connection between the connecting element and the shell frame, preventing treated water from escaping the channel of a channel assembly into the surrounding soil at the joint between two channel elements.

[0023] One embodiment of such a kit is characterized in that the seal is designed as a profile seal that extends circumferentially around the arc section and has a radially outwardly projecting sealing lip, wherein two sealing lips are spaced apart longitudinally such that, in use, one sealing lip runs in a recess of one of two adjacent channel elements. For example, a single profile seal can be dimensioned to accommodate the two sealing lips at the corresponding distance from each other, or two seals can run at a distance from each other on the connecting element, each of the two seals having a sealing lip.The design of the seal, featuring a sealing lip that runs transversely to the direction of movement when the connecting element is inserted into the recess of a channel element, causes the sealing lip to tilt or lie flat during this movement. This prevents damage to the seal and allows it to conform to irregularities in the recess, ensuring an optimal seal.

[0024] One embodiment of the kit is characterized by the fact that the connecting element has a cover plate which covers the arc section from above during use. The cover plate stiffens the arc section, so that contact forces can easily be applied to the seal to ensure the desired sealing effect without having to fear deformation of the arc section that could compromise the seal.

[0025] One embodiment of such a kit is characterized by the fact that the cover plate is designed to extend below the two trough sections of adjacent channel elements during use. The cover plate thus seals any gap that may exist between the two adjacent trough sections, which can occur between two adjacent, adjoining channel elements, preventing any substrate from trickling out of the trough through this gap into the channel below, e.g., into the connecting element below, and being lost.

[0026] One embodiment of the kit is characterized in that the curved section has the same bend as the channel section of the channel element, such that in use the channel section connects seamlessly to the curved section of the connecting element. The identical bend ensures that the inside of the channel section is flush with the inside of the connecting element, creating an inner surface of the channel consisting alternately of channel sections and connecting elements, without any steps on which particles or deposits could accumulate.

[0027] The invention further relates to a channel arrangement with channel elements according to the invention, each arranged longitudinally in a row, wherein two adjacent channel elements are connected to each other by a connecting element that extends into the shell frames of the two channel elements. Such a channel arrangement has the advantages described above.

[0028] One embodiment of the channel arrangement is characterized by the presence of a substrate in the trough sections, which is designed to treat surface water flowing into the trough sections. The trough created by the successive series of trough sections can thus contribute to removing pollutants from the surface water flowing into it, as the substrate can, in a manner known per se, firstly retain particles mechanically, secondly bind and thus retain certain chemical substances, or chemically convert or decompose certain substances into less harmful components, and thirdly, biologically convert or decompose certain substances into less harmful components.Such substrates are known from practice in different compositions, so that a suitable substrate can be selected and used in adaptation to the expected pollutant load of the surface water.

[0029] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the purely schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A longitudinal view of a connecting element, Fig. 2. Make a vertical cut through the connecting element along section line II - II in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a longitudinal view of a channel element, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the gutter element of Fig. 3 in the area of ​​its recess, and Fig. 5 a perspective view of the gutter element of Fig. 3 with connecting element inserted therein.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a connecting element 1, which has an arc section 2 and a cover plate 3, which is bonded to the arc section 2 by means of adhesive 4. Edge bars 5 increase the bonding surface and thus help to ensure that the cover plate 3 maintains its position on the arc section 2 even under load. Seals 6 extend circumferentially around the arc section 2 on the outside, the seals 6 having sealing lips 7 which project radially outwards beyond the circumference of the arc section 2.

[0031] Out of Fig. Figure 2 shows that the curved section 2 is designed similarly to a corrugated tube with a smooth inner surface and a ribbed outer surface, and that two seals 6 are located in recesses in the ribbed outer surface. The seals 6 each have several sealing lips 7, one of which extends radially beyond the ribs of the curved section 2.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows a channel element 8, which has a shell frame 9 with a U-shaped cross-section, including a base and side walls, and which is made of a concrete material. At the bottom, the shell frame 9 has two guide elements 10, designed as bores, which serve to receive guide pins, so that two identical channel elements 8 can be aligned with each other by means of the guide elements 10 and the guide pins.

[0033] Within the shell frame 9 is a trough section 11, which is made of a plastic material and is positively locked into the shell frame 9 by means of projections. The trough section 11 is open at the top and can be covered by a sturdy cast iron grating; the supporting supports 12, also made of cast iron, are positively locked into the shell frame 9, just like the trough section 11. The underside of the trough section 11 is also open, featuring numerous outlet openings so that surface water entering the channel element 8 can flow downwards through the trough section 11. To treat the water flowing through the trough section 11, the trough section 11 can be filled with a substrate.By means of a fine mesh grid, a geotextile or the like, the substrate can be retained within the basin section 11 so that it cannot pass through the outlet openings.

[0034] Below the trough section 11 runs a channel section 13 that is closed at the bottom and open at the top, so that in use the flow direction of the treated water exiting downwards from the trough section 11 is deflected by approximately 90° and the water now flows approximately horizontally through the channel section 13 in its longitudinal direction.

[0035] While the trough section 11 extends to approximately the front face of the channel element 8, which is located in Fig. Since the end face is 3 facing the viewer, the channel section 13 ends at a greater distance from this end face. In the area between the end face and the end of the channel section 13, an arc-shaped recess 14 extends radially outside the channel section 13.

[0036] Out of Fig. Figure 4 shows the different distances between the basin section 11 and the channel section 13 from the front face. Furthermore, an outlet opening 15 is visible in the bottom of basin section 11, and it can be seen that the outlet opening 15 is fitted with a grid 16, so that substrate is retained in basin section 11. A collar 17 extends upwards around the outlet opening 15, and near the end of basin section 11, a bar 18 projects upwards from the bottom of basin section 11 to the same extent. In this way, a minimum water level is ensured in basin section 11, so that the substrate does not dry out as much as possible even during extended periods without precipitation, and the biological components of the substrate can be supplied with moisture.

[0037] Fig.Figure 5 shows the channel element 8, with a connecting element 1 inserted into the recess 14. The curved section 2 of the connecting element 1 extends the channel section 13, and the connecting element 1 forms a projection extending beyond the end face of the channel element 8. The cover plate 3 of the connecting element 1 rests against the bottom of the trough section 11 from below. One of the two seals 6 is located within the recess 14 of the channel element 8 and seals against the shell frame 9.When a second, similar channel element 8 is joined to the channel element 8 shown, the cover plate 3 extends under both trough sections 11, so that it bridges any gap that may be located between the trough sections 11 and ensures that no substrate can trickle down into the channel formed by the two adjacent trough sections 13 and by the arched section 2 of the connecting element 1 between the two adjacent trough sections 11.

[0038] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawing, including design details, spatial arrangements and process steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations. Reference symbol list 1 connecting element 2 arc section 3 Cover plate 4 Adhesive 5 edge bar 6 Seal 7 Sealing lip 8 channel elements 9 shell frames 10 Management tools 11 Trough section 12 supports 13 Channel section 14 Exclusion 15 Outlet opening 16 grids 17 collars 18 bars

Claims

[1] Channel element (8) designed to form a channel when used with several identical channel elements (8) placed in a row, • wherein the channel element (8) has a U-shaped shell frame (9) in cross-section, which is open at two end faces and at the top, • and wherein in the shell frame (9) ◯ a trough section (11) open at the top and allowing flow from top to bottom is arranged, ◯ and below the trough section (11) a channel section (13) is arranged which is closed at the bottom and through which flow can occur in its longitudinal direction, • and wherein the shell frame (9) has a recess (14) on each of its two end faces, each of which is configured to receive a connecting element (1) in such a way that the connecting element (1) forms a watertight extension of the channel section (13) adjoining the channel section (13). [2] Channel element according to claim 1,characterized by , that the recess (14) extends radially outwards beyond the channel section (13). [3] Channel element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the trough section (11) extends closer to the two end faces than the channel section (13). [4] Channel element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the trough section (11) is covered from above by means of a cover, wherein the cover has inlet openings and is designed so that, in use, water flows through the inlet openings into the trough section (11). [5] Channel element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the shell frame (9) has guide means (10) which are designed to ensure, in use, an alignment of the channel element (8) with an adjacent channel element (8). [6] Channel element according to claim 5, characterized by , that the guide means (10) are designed as bores which are provided for receiving guide pins which in use extend beyond the channel element (8) and are designed to extend into bores of the adjacent channel element (8). [7] Channel element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the shell frame (9) is made of a concrete material. [8] Channel element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the trough section (11) and / or the channel section (13) is made of a plastic material. [9] Kit for constructing a gutter assembly, • with at least two channel elements (8), each configured according to one of the preceding claims, • and with at least one connecting element (1) which is designed to extend into the two adjacent recesses (14) of the joined channel elements (8). [10] Kit according to claim 9, characterized by , that the connecting element (1) has an arc-shaped arc section (2) which is curved downwards in use and is provided on the outer surface of the arc section (2) with a seal (6) which is designed to fit watertight against the shell frame (9) in use. [11] Kit according to claim 10, characterized by , that the seal (6) is designed as a profile seal which extends circumferentially around the arc section (2) and has a radially outward projecting sealing lip (7), wherein two sealing lips (7) are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction in such a way that in use one sealing lip (7) runs in a recess (14) of one of two adjacent channel elements (8). [12] Kit according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by , that the connecting element (1) has a cover plate (3) which covers the arc section (2) upwards during use. [13] Kit according to claim 12, characterized by , that the cover plate (3) is designed to extend in use to below the two trough sections (11) of adjacent channel elements (8). [14] Kit according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized by , that the arc section (2) has the same bend as the channel section (13) of the channel element (8), such that in use the channel section (13) connects seamlessly to the arc section (2) of the connecting element (1). [15] Channel arrangement, with channel elements (8) each configured according to one of the preceding claims and arranged in a longitudinal direction, wherein two adjacent channel elements (8) are connected to each other by a connecting element (1) which extends into the shell frames (9) of the two channel elements (8). [16] Gutter arrangement according to claim 15, characterized by , that a substrate is arranged in the basin sections (11) which is designed to treat surface water flowing into the basin sections (11).

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