A drainage system for a patio cover

Description

FIELD

[0001] The technical field concerns the field of patio covers or similar outdoor constructions. Such patio covers, could also be referred to as roof arrangements for a terrace. Such patio covers might be provided with stationary, movable, removable, ... elements to shield or partially shield against one or more elements such as the sun, rain, wind, .... Such elements might for example be cover elements or roof elements, made of metal, glass, fabric, ....BACKGROUND

[0002] A known drainage system for a patio cover is for example known from GB2291901A. According to this embodiment there is provided a separate drainage system, which comprises gutters which are mounted to some of the horizontal structural profiles and which feed rainwater to a vertical drain tube next to a vertical structural profile. Such a solution has the drawback that these additional elements lead to an increase in material use, weight, mounting elements and time needed for mounting the patio cover. Further this also reduces the height for allowing people to walk under into and out of the patio cover. Further, in order to shield the drainage system from view, further cover elements are needed, which further these problems. Although in GB2291901A the drainage system is shielded by large covers from a viewpoint outside the patio cover, when inside the patio cover, the drainage system remains visible. Further also the vertical drain remains a visible element, which is prone to damage, hinders the unobstructed placement of doors, windows, louvres, etc. and reduces the aesthetic qualities of the patio cover.

[0003] A further known drainage system for a patio cover is shown in FR2947845. This drainage system makes use of longitudinal structural patio profiles which comprise a longitudinal gutter. This offers the advantage that the drainage system can be mounted more efficiently, and this reduces the additional weight, mounting means, material use associated with the drainage system. As the gutter is integrated into the structural profile, and preferably from the same material, such as for example aluminium, as the structural profile, visually there will be separate elements identifiable associated with the gutter from any viewpoint within or outside the patio cover, thereby providing an improved aesthetic quality of the patio cover.

[0004] However, the drainage system of FR2947845 suffers from some drawbacks, especially at the corners. As for example shown in Figure 5 of FR2947845, there is provided a structural corner connection of two longitudinal structural profiles of the patio cover. Additionally, also the ends of the gutters are at a 45° angle so they can be arranged next to each other, abutting end to end. As further shown, there are provide mounting means in the form of bolts, which penetrate through the floor of the gutter to mount the ends of the horizontal structural profiles to the vertical structural profile of the patio cover. A drainage hole is created through the abutting ends of the gutters at a position that allows evacuation of the water towards the inside of the vertical structural profile, in which for example a vertical drainage tube can be arranged for evacuation the water. Sealing the abutting ends of the integrated gutters reliably has proven to be challenging. It is often difficult to achieve an exact match for the abutting ends for structural profiles which are tailor made for a particular patio cover. Further adding and testing separate sealing elements reliably during mounting of the cover is cumbersome and time consuming. The bolts and the associated holes in the floor of the gutter further aggravate these problems. Even when, at the time of mounting the patio cover, a solid sealing is realized, typically, under the influence of aging, changing weather conditions, temperature variations, ... after some time leaks start to appear, especially when for example use is made of metal structural profiles, such as for example aluminium, which are subject to thermal expansion and contraction. Fixing such leaks is cumbersome, as it is not easy and time-consuming to replace or repair any of the seals.

[0005] A still further drainage system for a patio cover is known from JP S55 176902 U, comprising a corner drain comprising two inlets connected through a structural corner connection.

[0006] Therefor there still exists a need for a more reliable, lightweight, and efficient drainage system with improved aesthetic qualities for patio covers, as well as a method for mounting such a drainage system, which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.SUMMARY

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided A drainage system for a patio cover, in which the drainage system comprises: a corner drain comprising a first inlet and a second inlet; and a structural corner connection of a first longitudinal structural patio profile comprising a first longitudinal gutter and a second longitudinal structural patio profile comprising a second longitudinal gutter at an upright structural patio profile, characterized in that the first inlet of the corner drain is mounted into the first gutter and the second inlet of the corner drain is mounted into the second gutter, and in that the first inlet of the corner drain and the second inlet of the corner drain, each comprise a raised mounting chamber configured to be filled with a filler for sealing and attaching the respective inlet to the respective gutter, and in that the raised mounting chamber comprises at least one channel in which the height of the raised mounting chamber is reduced, such that the resistance to the flow of water into the respective inlet is reduced.

[0008] In this way a simple, efficient, reliable drainage system with the required aesthetical qualities is realized, which can be mounted easily and efficiently into a pre-assembled structural corner connection. The mounting chamber allows for a reliable attachment of the corner drain to the structural corner connection and allows for a sufficiently elastic connection to cope with any structural changes of the structural corner connection, for example due to thermal expansion. Further a reliable sealing and fixing of the corner drain can be realized by means of the filler inserted into the raised mounting chamber. It is clear that this filler attaches to the outer wall of the corner drain at the level of this mounting chamber and also to the adjacent wall of the gutter. As no connection means such as screws or bolts are used, which require openings through the corner drain and / or into the gutters, this also reduces the risk for leakage and increases the efficiency of mounting the corner drain as no holes need to be provided and aligned during mounting, and there is no need for inserting and screwing such mounting means into these holes, which can be cumbersome and time consuming, especially when operating in a tight space such as a gutter. Further the channel improves the flow of water through the inlet of the corner drain and reduces the risk of accumulation of dirt and debris in upstream of the raised mounting chamber.

[0009] According to an embodiment, there is provided a drainage system, wherein the corner drain comprises an L shape or substantially comprises an L shape, when seen from above when mounted.

[0010] According to an embodiment, there is provided a drainage system, wherein: the corner drain comprises an L shaped floor and two upright L shaped edges bordering the L shaped floor; and / or the corner drain is configured to define an L-shaped drainage channel between and the first inlet and the second inlet for a flow of water through these inlets.

[0011] According to an embodiment, there is provided a drainage system, wherein the channel of the raised mounting chamber is wider at its top than at its bottom. It is clear that the width of the channel is defined in a direction transvers, or substantially transvers to the direction of the flow of water through the channel.

[0012] According to an embodiment, there is provided a drainage system according, wherein: the channel comprises a V shape or substantially V shape cross section; the channel comprises a longitudinal channel axis aligned or substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the respective structural profile; and / or the raised mounting chamber extends across a floor between two upright walls of the respective inlet along a chamber longitudinal axis which is at an angle in the range of 15° up to and including 165° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinal structural patio profile, preferably in the range of 30° up to and including 150°, preferably in the range of 30° up to and including 60° or 120° up to and including 150°, preferably 45° + / - 5° or 135° + / - 5°.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, there is provided a drainage system, wherein: the height of the raised mounting chamber is at least two times the wall thickness of the respective inlet, preferably at least three times, preferably at least five times; the height of the raised mounting chamber is at least 2mm, preferably at least 3mm, preferably at least 5mm; and / or the width of the channel along a chamber longitudinal axis at the bottom of the channel, with respect to the width of the raised mounting chamber along this chamber longitudinal axis, is in the range of 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, preferably 5% or less.

[0014] It is clear that the wall thickness according to some embodiments corresponds the thickness of the material of the respective inlet, such as for example the thickness of the plastic, transparent plastic, polymer, transparent polymer, ....

[0015] According to a further embodiment, there is provided a drainage system, wherein the filler comprises or consists of one or more of the following: a sealant; a curable sealant; an adhesive sealant; silicone; polyurethane.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, there is provided a drainage system, wherein the material of: the first, second and / or third longitudinal structural patio profile comprises and / or consists of one or more of the following: metal; aluminium, the corner drain comprises and / or consists of: plastic; transparent plastic; Polyvinyl Chloride OR PVC; Polyoxymethylene or POM; Acrylonitril-butadieen-styreen or ABS; Polystyrene or PS; metal; aluminium.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, there is provided a drainage system, wherein: the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal structural patio profile is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the second longitudinal structural patio profile; the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal structural patio profile is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the upright structural patio profile; the longitudinal axis of the second longitudinal structural patio profile is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the upright structural patio profile; the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal structural patio profile diverges 10° or less from a horizontal plane; the longitudinal axis of the second longitudinal structural patio profile diverges 10° or less from a horizontal plane; and / or the longitudinal axis of the upright structural patio profile diverges 10° or less from a vertical direction.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, there is provided, a drainage system, wherein the corner drain comprises a drain hole or opening configured to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile of the structural corner connection.

[0019] According to a second aspect there is provided a patio cover comprising a drainage system according to the first aspect, wherein the patio cover comprises: one, two, three or four of said structural corner connections; and one, two, three or four of said corner drains, respectively mounted in one of said structural corner connections.

[0020] According to an embodiment, there is provided a patio cover, wherein at least one of said corner drains comprises a drain hole or opening configured to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile of the structural corner connection to which it is mounted.

[0021] According to an embodiment, there is provided a patio cover, wherein at least one, preferably two or three, of said corner drains are configured not to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile of the structural corner connection to which it is mounted.

[0022] According to a third aspect, there is provided a kit of parts for use as a drainage system according to the first aspect or a patio cover according to the second aspect, characterized in the kits of parts comprise at least one said corner drain; and at least one said corner connection.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for assembling the drainage system according to the first aspect, or the patio cover according to the second aspect, or the kit of parts according to the third aspect, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of: first assembling said corner connection; and then mounting said corner drain by placing it into said corner connection, applying filler into the raised mounting chamber and letting the filler cure thereby adhering the corner drain to the corner connection. It is clear that further embodiments and / or combinations are possible, for example embodiments comprising similar structural and / or functional features and / or operational steps as defined with respect to another aspect. DRAWINGS

[0024] Exemplary, non-limiting embodiments will now be described, for example by means of the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a drainage system for a patio cover; Figure 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of a corner drain, similar to the one used in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a partial side view along the arrow III shown in Figure 1 of an embodiment of an inlet with a raised mounting chamber when mounted into a gutter; Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a drainage system, similar as the embodiment of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION

[0025] An embodiment of a drainage system 10 for a patio cover 1 is for example shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a top view of a corner of a patio cover 1. It is clear that, according to such embodiments, the patio cover, as generally known to a skilled person, typically comprises four such corners and seen from above has a rectangular or substantially rectangular circumference. As shown, the embodiment of the drainage system 10 comprises a corner drain 100 and a structural corner connection 200.

[0026] As shown, seen from above when mounted, the embodiment of the corner drain 100 comprises an L shape or substantially comprises an L shape.

[0027] As will be described in further detail below, the embodiment of the corner drain 100 shown comprises an L shaped floor 102, which is bordered by two upright L shaped edges or upright walls 104, 106.

[0028] It is clear that in this way, as shown, the embodiment of the corner drain 100 defines an L-shaped drainage channel between a first inlet 110 and a second inlet 120 for a flow of water through these inlets 110, 120.

[0029] It is clear that alternative embodiments are possible, with any other suitable shape are possible, in which the corner drain 100 comprises a first inlet 110 and a second inlet 120. Such alternative shapes, might for example be any suitable circular segment, curved segment, polygonal segment , ... shape and / or any combination thereof defining a suitable channel between the first inlet 110 and the second inlet 120 of the corner drain 100.

[0030] The embodiment of the structural corner connection 200 shown in Figure 1, shows a corner connection 200 of a first longitudinal structural patio profile 210 comprising a first longitudinal gutter 212 and a second longitudinal structural patio profile 220 comprising a second longitudinal gutter 222 at an upright structural patio profile 230.

[0031] It is clear that, as generally known, according to embodiments of the patio cover 1, the patio cover 1 comprises four of said structural corner connections 200. According to such embodiments, the patio cover 1 comprises four horizontal or substantially horizontal structural longitudinal profiles supported at or near the corners by upright structural profiles. It is clear that alternative embodiments are possible with any suitable number of structural profiles, one, two, three, four or more; and or where some of the longitudinal profiles are mounted to other elements than an upright profile, such as for example a wall or any other suitable structure. According to typical embodiments the patio cover 1 comprises a rectangular or substantially rectangular circumference when viewed from above. According to such embodiments, the patio cover 1 comprises four of said corner drains 100 respectively mounted in one of said four structural corner connections 200. Although, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the corner drain 100 comprises a drain hole 108 configured to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200 to which it is mounted. Although, such drain holes or alternative drain openings 108 could present at a plurality of upright structural profiles 230, according to a preferred embodiment, at least one, preferably three, of said corner drains 100 are configured not to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200 to which it is mounted. In this way the outflow of water is limited to one of the upright structural profiles, which simplifies the connection of further downstream drainage systems, and the flow towards this corner piece can be realized easily with similar corner drains 100 at the other structural corner connections 200, thereby simplifying and increasing the efficiency of mounting the patio cover 1.

[0032] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first inlet 110 of the corner drain 100 is mounted into the first gutter 212. As will be shown in Figure 3 with respect to the second inlet 120, according to this embodiment, this means that the first inlet 110 is inserted into the first gutter 212 such that the floor 102 of the inlet 110 rests on the floor 202 of the first gutter 212, and the upright edges 104, 106 of the first inlet 110 are adjacent the upright edges 204, 206 of the first gutter 212. As further show in Figure 1, the second inlet 120 of the corner drain 100 is mounted into the second gutter 222. As shown in Figure 3, this means that the second inlet 120 is inserted into the second gutter 222 such that the floor 102 of the inlet 120 rests on the floor 202 of the second gutter 212, and the upright edges 104, 106 of the second inlet 120 are adjacent the upright edges 204, 206 of the second gutter 222. As further show, the second inlet 120 of the corner drain 100 is mounted into the second gutter 222. According to this embodiment the first inlet 110 of the corner drain 100 comprises a raised mounting chamber 112 and the second inlet 100 of the corner drain 100 comprises a raised mounting chamber 122. As shown in further detail, for example in Figure 2 and Figure 4, these raised mounting chambers 112, 122 are configured to be filled with a filler for sealing and attaching the respective inlet 110, 120 to the respective gutter 212, 222. In other words, as shown, these raised mounting chambers 122, are formed by means of a local raising of the floor 102 and the upright walls 104 of the inlets 110, 120 of the corner drain 100, thereby creating a hollow chamber between the gutter 212, 222 and these inlets 110, 120 when the corner drain 100 is mounted to the structural corner connection 200. The raised mounting chamber 112, 122, is configured so that it can be filled with a filler when mounted, for example via one or more suitable openings, also referred to as filler openings 126 for inserting filler into the raised mounting chamber 112, 122. Optionally, there could also be provided one or more further outflow openings allowing for the outflow of air or excess filler when inserting the filler into the raised mounting chamber 112, 122.

[0033] As further shown in Figure 1, and further detailed in Figure 3, which shows a partial side view along arrow III in Figure 1 of this embodiment, the raised mounting chambers 112, 122 comprises a V shaped channel 114, 124 in which the height of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 is reduced. It is clear that this channel 114, 124, comprising a V cross sectional shape, is configured to reduce the resistance to the flow of water through the respective inlet 110, 120. It is however clear that alternative embodiments are possible, in which for example two or more channels 114, 124 are provided in the raised mounting chamber 112, 122, or in which the channels comprise any other suitable cross sectional shape such as for example a U shape, a circle segment shape, a rectangular shape, a segment of a polygon shape, ....

[0034] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the channel is configured such that the channel 114, 124 of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 is wider at its top than at its bottom. This allows for an increased level of sealing by maximizing the contact area of the filler with the gutter while allowing an increased level of flow and a reduced risk of accumulation of dirt or debris at the height of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122.

[0035] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 to Figure 3, preferably, the channel 114, 124 comprises a longitudinal channel axis aligned or substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the respective structural profile 210, 220. Also, this is advantageously supporting a reduction in the resistance to the flow of water, and reducing the risk for accumulation of dirt.

[0036] Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment, similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 to Figure 3. Similar elements have been provided with similar references and function in a similar way as described herein. In the embodiment of Figure 1 to 3, the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 extends across a floor 102 between two upright walls 104, 106 of the respective inlet 110, 120 along a chamber longitudinal axis which is transvers to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinal structural patio profile 210, 220, or in other words to the direction of the flow of the water. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, differently, the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 extends across the floor 102 between two the upright walls 104, 106 of the respective inlet 110, 120 along a chamber longitudinal axis which is not transvers to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinal structural patio profile 210, 220, but at an angle of 45°. This further reduces resistance to the flow and the risk for accumulation of dirt by the raised mounting chamber 112, 122. As further shown, according to the embodiment of Figure 4, preferably the orientation of this angle is such that it guides the flow in a desired direction. According to this embodiment, it is in the direction of the outer upright wall 104 of the corner drain 100 in which an opening 106 towards the upright structural longitudinal profile 230 is provided. It is clear that alternative embodiments are possible in which, for example similar as in the embodiment of Figure 1 to Figure 3 a hole 106 is provided in the floor 102 of the corner drain 100. It is further clear that, next to the embodiments of Figure 1 to Figure 4, still further alternative embodiments are possible, in which this angle of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the structural longitudinal profile to which it is attached, is an angle in the range of 15° up to and including 165° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinal structural patio profile 210, 220, preferably in the range of 30° up to and including 150°, preferably in the range of 30° up to and including 60° or 120° up to and including 150°, preferably 45° + / - 5° or 135° + / - 5°.

[0037] As further shown in the embodiments of the Figures, preferably, the height of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 is at least two times the wall thickness of the respective inlet 110, 120, preferably at least three times, preferably at least five times. In this way the mounting chamber provides for a suitable and sufficiently large space for reliably and efficiently inserting suitable fillers such as for example a suitable silicone or polyurethane filler as generally known to a person skilled in the art. Such fillers typically comprise a high viscosity and / or require sufficient space for expansion during curing. Preferably, the wall thickness of the floor of the corner drain 100, and more specifically the floor of the inlets 110, 120 is preferably kept as low as possible for reducing the risk of obstructing the flow or accumulation of dirt, while still allowing for a suitable level of strength, rigidity and robustness. Preferably the wall thickness is for example only 1mm or 2mm. Preferably the height of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 is thus larger than this wall thickness, or in other words the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 extends upwards with respect to the lowest level of the floor 102 of the respective inlet 110, 120. This height can for example be defined as the height difference, in the mounted state, between the lowest level of the floor of the respective inlet 110, 120 with respect to the highest point of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122. According to preferred embodiments, the height of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 is at least 2mm, preferably at least 3mm, preferably at least 5mm.

[0038] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 to Figure 3, and Figure 4 the width of the channel 114, 124 at the bottom of the channel 114, 124 is kept low so as to increase area in which the filler is available for sealing and adherence of the inlet 110, 120 of the corner drain 100 to the respective gutter 212, 222. According to typical embodiments the width of this gutter 212, 222 is 2cm or more, for example 3cm or more, 5cm or more, .... , the width of the channel 114, 124 at its bottom in Figure 1 to 3 is typical only 1mm or 2 mm, and in Figure 4 is for example 1 cm or less, for example 0,5cm or less. It is clear that still further embodiments are possible in which the width of the channel 114, 124 along a chamber longitudinal axis at the bottom of the channel 114, 124, with respect to the width of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 along this chamber longitudinal axis, is in the range of 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, preferably 5% or less.

[0039] According to the embodiments shown in Figure 1 to Figure 4, the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 comprises one channel 114, 124, however it is clear that alternative embodiments are possible in which the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 comprises any suitable plurality of channels 114, 124, such as for example two, three, four or more.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the filler consists of a suitable curable adhesive sealant, such as a suitable silicone adhesive sealant as generally known to a man skilled in the art. In this particular application such filler is advantageous with respect to other mounting means as it does not require any holes to be created into the gutter and after curing it retains some level of flexibility such that a reliable sealing and adherence can be retained even when subjected to changes in the structural corner connection 200 for example as a result of thermal expansion. It is however clear that alternative embodiments for the filler are possible in which preferably the filler comprises or consists of one or more of the following: a sealant; a curable sealant; an adhesive sealant; silicone; polyurethane; ....

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the first, second and / or third longitudinal structural patio profile 210, 220, 230 of the structural corner connection 200 are made of a suitable light weight metal, such as for example aluminium. However, it is clear that alternative embodiments are possible in which these structural profiles comprises and / or consists of one or more of the following: metal; aluminium; plastic; or any other suitable light material for exterior exposure to elements and suitable for load carrying, such as for example roof elements such as lamellas, canvas, louvres, ... and / or external load resistance, such as for example against load from snow, rain, wind, .... According to a preferred embodiment, the corner drain 100 is manufactured from a transparent plastic, as this allows for a more reliable and robust mounting of the corner drain 100, as during application of the filler, it can be checked that the raised mounting chamber is sufficiently, preferably completely or substantially completely, filled with filler. However it is clear that alternative embodiments are possible in which the corner drain 100 comprises and / or consists of: plastic; transparent plastic; a polymer; a transparent polymer; Polyvinyl chloride or PVC; Polyoxymethylene or POM; Acrylonitril-butadieen-styreen or ABS; Polystyrene or PS; metal; aluminium; ....

[0042] As further shown, according to preferred embodiments, it is clear that the longitudinal axis 210L of the first longitudinal structural patio profile 210 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 220L of the second longitudinal structural patio profile 210. It is further clear that the longitudinal axis 210L of the first longitudinal structural patio profile 210 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 230L of the upright structural patio profile 230. Further it is clear that the longitudinal axis 220L of the second longitudinal structural patio profile 210 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 230L of the upright structural patio profile 230. Still further it is clear that the longitudinal axis 210L of the first longitudinal structural patio profile 210 diverges 10° or less from a horizontal plane, and preferably also the longitudinal axis 220L of the second longitudinal structural patio profile 220 diverges 10° or less from a horizontal plane. It is further also clear that the longitudinal axis 230L of the upright structural patio profile 230 diverges 10° or less from a vertical direction. According to a preferred embodiment the first and second longitudinal structural patio profile 210, 220 are horizontal or substantially horizontal, and the upright structural patio profile 230 is vertical or substantially vertical.

[0043] As further shown, according to some embodiments, the corner drain 100 comprises a drain hole or opening 108 configured to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200. According to the embodiment of Figure 1 to 3 there is provided an opening in the floor of the corner drain 100 at a location above the upright structural profile 230. According to the embodiment of Figure 4, there is provided an opening in an upright wall of the corner drain 100 at a location which gives access to the structural profile 230. Still further alternative embodiments are possible for such holes or openings 108. According to still a further preferred embodiment these holes or openings 108 are provided with a removable cover, such as for example a part of the wall which is already provided with a reduced contour, or in which a flexible element is arranged that can be pierced or opened, etc. to allow for flexibility with respect to the use of the corner drain. When mounted into structural corner connections 200 which don't require such an opening 108, but merely need a flow of water through the first and second inlets 110, 120, the opening or hole can remain covered. When mounted at a structural corner connection 200 of the patio cover 1 where the water is to be drained via the upright structural profile 230, a suitable opening or hole 108 can be created in the corner drain 100, preferably by means of removing the removable cover or manipulating the flexible element.

[0044] As already mentioned above, according to a typical embodiment the patio cover 1 comprises four of these structural corner connections 200 and four of these corner drains 100, each mounted in one of the four structural corner connections 200. In such embodiments, there is for example one of the corner drains 100 that comprises a drain hole or opening 108 configured to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200 to which it is mounted. The other three corner drains 100 are configured not to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200 to which it is mounted. It is clear that alternative embodiments are possible in which a different number of corner drains with holes or openings and without holes or openings is combined in the drainage system for the patio cover.

[0045] It is further clear that, for ease of transport, and to increase modularity during manufacturing, storage and assembly, the drainage system 10 could be provided as a kit of parts for use as a drainage system 10. Such a kit of parts comprising at least one corner drain 100; and at least one corner connection 200.

[0046] As already mentioned above, the drainage system 10 is especially advantageous when mounted into a pre-assembled or already assembled structural corner connection 200. In other words, this allows for an efficient method for assembling the drainage system 100, or the patio cover 100, or the kit of parts as described herein. According to such an advantageous method first the corner connection 200 can be assembled and then the corner drain 100 can be mounted by placing it into said corner connection 200, applying filler into the raised mounting chamber 122 and letting the filler cure thereby adhering the corner drain 100 to the corner connection 200. It is clear that this advantageous method allows for a simple and efficient completion of the drainage system with a minimal number of steps and parts. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the structural corner connection 200 could, according to a preferred embodiment further comprise a suitable profile corner connection element 240 configured to couple the first and second structural longitudinal profile 210, 220 at their adjacent ends, however it is clear that any other suitable embodiment as generally known to the skilled person for connecting and / or attaching, the first, second and / or upright structural longitudinal profiles 210, 230 of the corner connection 200 are possible, such as for example by means of any suitable coupling means such as bolts, screws, etc..

[0047] It is however clear that further alternative embodiments and / or combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A drainage system (10) for a patio cover (1), in which the drainage system (10) comprises: - a corner drain (100) comprising a first inlet (110) and a second inlet (120); and - a structural corner connection (200) of a first longitudinal structural patio profile (210) comprising a first longitudinal gutter (212) and a second longitudinal structural patio profile (220) comprising a second longitudinal gutter (222) at an upright structural patio profile (230), characterized in that the first inlet (110) of the corner drain (100) is mounted into the first gutter (212) and the second inlet (120) of the corner drain (100) is mounted into the second gutter (222), and in that the first inlet (110) of the corner drain (100) and the second inlet (120) of the corner drain (100), each comprise a raised mounting chamber (112, 122) configured to be filled with a filler for sealing and attaching the respective inlet (110, 120) to the respective gutter (212, 222), and in that the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) comprises at least one channel (114, 124) in which the height of the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) is reduced, such that the resistance to the flow of water into the respective inlet (110, 120) is reduced.

2. A drainage system according to claim 1, wherein the corner drain (100) comprises an L shape or substantially comprises an L shape, when seen from above when mounted.

3. A drainage system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: - the corner drain (100) comprises an L shaped floor (102) and two upright L shaped upright walls (104, 106) bordering the L shaped floor (102); and / or - the corner drain (100) is configured to define an L-shaped drainage channel between and the first inlet (110) and the second inlet (120) for a flow of water through these inlets (110, 120).

4. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the channel (114, 124) of the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) is wider at its top than at its bottom.

5. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - the channel (114, 124) comprises a V shape or substantially V shape cross section; - the channel (114, 124) comprises a longitudinal channel axis aligned or substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the respective structural profile (210, 220); and / or - the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) extends across a floor (102) between two upright walls (104, 106) of the respective inlet (110, 120) along a chamber longitudinal axis which is at an angle in the range of 15° up to and including 165° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinal structural patio profile (210, 220), preferably in the range of 30° up to and including 150°, preferably in the range of 30° up to and including 60° or 120° up to and including 150°, preferably 45° + / - 5° or 135° + / -5°.

6. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - the height of the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) is at least two times the wall thickness of the respective inlet (110, 120), preferably at least three times, preferably at least five times; - the height of the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) is at least 2mm, preferably at least 3mm, preferably at least 5mm; and / or - the width of the channel (114, 124) along a chamber longitudinal axis at the bottom of the channel (114, 124), with respect to the width of the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) along this chamber longitudinal axis, is in the range of 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, preferably 5% or less.

7. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filler comprises or consists of one or more of the following: - a sealant; - a curable sealant; - an adhesive sealant; - silicone; - polyurethane.

8. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material of: - the first, second and / or third longitudinal structural patio profile (210, 220, 230) comprises and / or consists of one or more of the following: - metal; - aluminium, - the corner drain comprises and / or consists of: - plastic; - transparent plastic; - a polymer; - a transparent polymer; - Polyvinyl chloride or PVC; - Polyoxymethylene or POM; - Acrylonitril-butadieen-styreen or ABS; - Polystyrene or PS; - metal; - aluminium.

9. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - the longitudinal axis (210L) of the first longitudinal structural patio profile (210) is transverse to the longitudinal axis (220L) of the second longitudinal structural patio profile (210); - the longitudinal axis (210L) of the first longitudinal structural patio profile (210) is transverse to the longitudinal axis (230L) of the upright structural patio profile (230); - the longitudinal axis (220L) of the second longitudinal structural patio profile (210) is transverse to the longitudinal axis (230L) of the upright structural patio profile (230); - the longitudinal axis (210L) of the first longitudinal structural patio profile (210) diverges 10° or less from a horizontal plane; - the longitudinal axis (220L) of the second longitudinal structural patio profile (220) diverges 10° or less from a horizontal plane; and / or - the longitudinal axis (230L) of the upright structural patio profile (230) diverges 10° or less from a vertical direction.

10. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the corner drain (100) comprises a drain hole or opening (108) configured to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile (230) of the structural corner connection (200).

11. A patio cover comprising a drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the patio cover comprises: - one, two, three or four of said structural corner connections (200); and - one, two, three or four of said corner drains (100) respectively mounted in one of said four structural corner connections (200).

12. A patio cover according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said corner drains (100) comprises a drain hole or opening (108) configured to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile (230) of the structural corner connection (200) to which it is mounted.

13. A patio cover according to claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one, preferably two or three, of said corner drains (100) are configured not to allow a flow of water into the upright structural patio profile (230) of the structural corner connection (200) to which it is mounted.

14. A kit of parts for use as the drainage system according to any of the claims 1 to 10, or the patio cover according to any of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the kit of parts comprises: - at least one said corner drain (100); and - at least one said corner connection (200).

15. A method for assembling the drainage system (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 10, or the patio cover (100) according to any of the claims 11 to 13, or the kit of parts according to claim 14, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of: - first assembling said corner connection (200); and - then mounting said corner drain (100) by placing it into said corner connection (200), applying filler into the raised mounting chamber (122) and letting the filler cure thereby adhering the corner drain (100) to the corner connection (200).

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