An arrangement for a floor drain

Abstract

This invention relates to an arrangement (1) for a floor drain (2) comprising a center piece (3) provided with a through hole (4) between a first surface (5) and an opposite second surface (6) of the center piece (3), wherein the through hole (4) is arranged to connect to an inlet opening (7) of the floor drain (2). To enable the arrangement (1) to be suitable for different installation setups without the need for numerous different floor drain parts, the arrangement further comprises at least one extension piece (8) arranged to connect to the center piece (3) at one of its end surfaces (9) so that one of a first face (10) and an opposite second face of the extension piece (8) at least partially aligns with the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the center piece (3) to form together a draining channel (12).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an arrangement for a floor drain, the arrangement comprising a center piece and at least one extension piece.DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0002] In relation to floor drain installations, particularly installations of linear floor drains, the dimensions of the drain are often determined case by case based on the conditions of the installation space. For example, the length dimension of the linear floor drain is often adjusted to match the width of the space, for example a bathroom showering area, while the width of the drain may be determined based on a standardized width of chosen floor tiles. The customized floor drain dimensions enable a visually pleasing and optimally functional structure to be obtained, such that unnecessary gaps between the drain and the perimeter of the installation space or the floor tiles are avoided.

[0003] In known solutions of floor drain arrangements, floor drain parts of several standard dimensions need to be manufactured and stored. More precisely, different linear floor drain units are needed to accommodate variation of the drain opening location in relation to the walls of the installation space, as well as variation of the width of the installation space.

[0004] Due to the need for numerous different floor drain parts, increased costs are associated with their manufacture, storing and storage management. As the installation space of the floor drain is typically out of service during the installation work, an added time pressure may also be associated with the installation. Therefore, any issues with the drain part supply causing delays to the drain installation are particularly undesired.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an arrangement for a floor drain in which different dimensional needs may be accommodated using a small number of standardized parts. This object is achieved with an arrangement according to independent claim 1.

[0006] By providing a center piece provided with a through hole and at least one extension piece arranged to connect to the center piece, it is possible to obtain a structure in which various length dimensions of the floor drain may be realized by adjusting the number and orientation of the extension pieces.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] In the following the present invention will be described in closer detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an arrangement for a floor drain, Figure 2 illustrates an extension piece of the arrangement of Figure 1 as seen from the side of a second face of the extension piece, Figure 3 illustrates the extension piece of Figure 2 as seen from the side of a first face of the extension piece, Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the arrangement for a floor drain, Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the arrangement for a floor drain, Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of a center piece of the arrangement of Figure 1, and Figure 7 illustrates a partial cross-cut section of the center piece and the floor drain of the arrangement of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an arrangement 1 for a floor drain 2, wherein the arrangement is shown in an assembly state where it connects to an inlet opening 7 of the floor drain 2. To better illustrate the structure, the assembly is shown in an isolated condition such that any structures surrounding it after its final installation, such as a floor structure or drain piping connecting to the floor drain 2, are omitted. In the context of this description, the floor drain 2 refers to a lower part of the drain arrangement connecting to drain piping of a building, whereas the parts forming a contact with the floor surface structures above the floor drain 2, namely a center piece 3 and extension pieces 8, are referred to as forming the arrangement 1 for the floor drain 2. The arrangement 1 as illustrated is designed to be embedded into the floor structure of the installation space by concrete casting such that the upper surfaces of said center piece 3 and extension pieces 8 remain exposed to the surface of the concrete cast. Then, during later steps of the installation, these surfaces may be covered, if desired, by different surface structures provided to the installation space, such as waterproofing layers, water trays and / or drain covers.

[0010] In the example of Figure 1, the arrangement 1 comprises the center piece 3 and two extension pieces 8 arranged to connect to the center piece 3. As seen in the figure, the center piece 3 has a quadrangular outer shape and is provided with a through hole 4 between its first surface 5 and an opposite second surface 6, the through hole 4 being arranged to connect to the inlet opening 7 of the floor drain 2 in the illustrated assembly state of the arrangement 1. More precisely, the extension pieces 8 connect to the center piece 3 at its opposite end surfaces 9 extending between the first surface 5 and the second surface 6. In other words, said end surfaces 9 are typically oriented vertically in the installation position of the arrangement 1, wherein the first surface 5 and the second surface 6 have a horizontal orientation. The through hole 4 connects to the inlet opening 7 such that a continuous passage is formed for passing water from the installation space of the arrangement 1 to the inlet opening 7 through the through hole 4, and from there further to the drain piping connecting to the floor drain 2. The shape and dimensioning of the center piece 3 and of the extension pieces 8 may deviate from the example of Figure 1 in other embodiments of the arrangement 1, for example so that the center piece 3 has an outer shape of a square. In some use cases, the arrangement 1 may also be provided with only one extension piece 8 arranged to connect to one of the end surfaces 9 of the center piece 3.

[0011] As seen in the example of Figure 1, the extension pieces 8 comprise a first face 10 and an opposite second face 11. In said example, the first faces 10 of the extension pieces 8 connected to the center piece 3 align with the first surface 5 of the center piece 3 to form together a draining channel 12 leading to the through hole 4. In more detail, said draining channel 12 is formed as a trough-like area opening upwards and shaped so as to guide water collecting to it towards the through hole 4, wherein the extension pieces 8 form the end sections of the draining channel 12 at its opposite sides. The extension pieces 8 are preferably arranged so that either one of the first face 10 and the second face 11 may be arranged to align with the first surface 5 of the center piece 3 after connecting the extension piece 8, so as to form together the draining channel 12. On the other hand, in some embodiments of the arrangement 1 the center piece 3 may also be arranged such that either one of the first 5 and the second surface 6 may be arranged to align with the first 10 or the second face 11 of the extension pieces 8 to form the draining channel 12. In the arrangements where only one extension piece 8 is provided, the draining channel 12 is formed of the aligned surfaces of the center piece 3 and the one extension piece 8. In other embodiments of the arrangement 1, the alignment between the extension pieces 8 and the center piece 3 may be only partial, meaning that only some of the corresponding surfaces of said pieces are aligned without discontinuities being formed at their contact interface.

[0012] In the example of Figure 1, the first surface 5 of the center piece 3 and the first faces 10 of the extension pieces 8 connected to the center piece 3 are provided with side walls 13 delimiting the draining channel 12 at its two opposite sides. Further, said pieces are provided with a bottom wall 14 forming a slope to the draining channel 12 descending towards the through hole 4. In other words, the trough-like shape of the draining channel 12 is formed by the bottom wall 14 and the side walls 13 bordering it at two sides, and the descending orientation of the bottom wall 14 acts for further guiding the water collecting to the draining channel 12 towards the through hole 4. In the example of Figure 1, the side walls 13 are shaped to taper towards the outer ends of the draining channel 12, in other words so that the draining channel 12 becomes increasingly narrow towards the through hole 4. Preferably, the side walls 13 and the bottom wall 14 are provided to both the first 10 and the second faces 11 of the extension pieces 8 to define the draining channel 12 to both sides of the extension pieces 8.

[0013] To better illustrate the structure of the extension piece 8, Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the extension piece 8 of the arrangement of Figure 1 as seen from the side of the second face 11 and from the side of the first face 10, respectively. In these examples, the first face 10 of the extension piece 8 is provided with a first end wall 15 defining a first end length 16 of the draining channel 12 and the second face 11 of the extension piece 8 is provided with a second end wall 17 defining an alternative second end length 18 of the draining channel 12, the first end length 16 being different from the second end length 18. In other words, said first end wall 15 and the second end wall 17 are provided to different locations along the length of the extension piece 8 so as to form an end boundary of the draining channel 12 at both sides of the extension piece 8, the end boundary thereby also having a different location at each side. In this context, the first 16 and the second end length 18 of the draining channel 12 refer to the part of the draining channel 12 defined by the extension piece or pieces 8, said part or parts together with the part defined by the center piece 3 forming the complete drain channel 12. Furthermore, in said example the extension piece 8 is arranged such that it can reversibly connect to the center piece 3 to at least partially align either one of the first face 10 and the second face 11 of the extension piece 8 with the first surface 5 of the center piece 3 to form together the draining channel 12. In some embodiments, the center piece 3 may also be arranged such that either one of the first 5 and the second surface 6 may be aligned with the first face 10 or the second face 11 of the extension pieces 8.

[0014] With the arrangement as described, the extension pieces 8 may be used for adapting the length of the draining channel 12 to accommodate different requirements set by different installation locations. That is, by individually choosing the number of the extension pieces 8 connecting to the center piece 3, as well as the side of each extension piece 8 used for defining the draining channel 12, several different variations of the draining channel length may be realized. In cases where a symmetrical installation is preferred, the extension pieces 8 may be provided to both ends of the center piece 3 such that the first 10 or the second faces 11 are symmetrically arranged to face upwards to define the draining channel 12 after the installation of the arrangement 1. However, asymmetrical installations are equally possible, wherein only one extension piece 8 is provided or wherein different faces of the extension pieces 8 are arranged to face upwards at each end of the center piece 3 after installation.

[0015] To further improve the adaptability of the arrangement 1, in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 the extension piece 8 comprises connectors 19 provided to its two opposite end surfaces 20 extending between the first face 10 and the second face 11. Said connectors 19 enable the extension piece 8 to be reversibly connected to the center piece 3 at either of the end surfaces 20, in other words so that either one of the end surfaces 20 of each extension piece 8 may be arranged to face inwards or outwards. Facing inwards in this case means that the end surface 20 is brought into contact with the end surface 9 of the center piece 3. Further, in said example the second end wall 17 is positioned off-center of the second face 11 to define at one side the second end length 18 and at another side an alternative third end length 21 of the draining channel 12. In other words, in this arrangement the second end wall 17 delimits at its opposite sides two trough-like sections usable for defining the draining channel 12, said sections having different lengths corresponding to the second 18 and the third end length 21. With the arrangement as described, the length of the draining channel 12 may be further adapted by choosing the desired end surface 20 of each extension piece 8 to be brough into contact with the center piece 3, thereby choosing which one of the second end length 18 and the third end length 21 is employed. In other embodiments of the arrangement 1, the first end wall 15 may also be positioned in a similar way to define at one side one end length and at another side a different end length of the draining channel 12. In this case, said end lengths defined by the first end wall 15 are favorably arranged to be different from the second end length 18 and the third end length 21 defined by the second end wall 17.

[0016] As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the connectors 19 of the extension piece 8 in this example comprise a slide slot 23. In this arrangement, the center piece 3 comprises a corresponding slide protrusion 24 provided to at least one of its two opposite end surfaces 9, wherein the slide protrusion 24 has an outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the slide slot 23, meaning the shape defined by the walls of the slide slot 23. This is best illustrated in Figure 4. In other words, in this arrangement the connection between the extension pieces 8 and the center piece 3 takes place through a form-fit arrangement between the slide slot 23 and the slide protrusion 24, allowing the extension pieces 8 to be removably connected without using any tools or additional fastening parts, such as screws. Another benefit of said arrangement is that it enables the corresponding surfaces of the extension piece 8 and the center piece 3 to be automatically aligned when said pieces are connected, wherein the form-fit arrangement between the slide slot 23 and the slide protrusion 24 prevents any misalignment of the parts. In different embodiments of the arrangement, the positioning of the slide slot 23 and the slide protrusion 24 may be reversed so that the slide slot 23 is provided to the center piece 3, for example.

[0017] As best seen in Figure 2, in this example the extension piece 8 is also provided with a cut-off groove 22 located in vicinity of the second end wall 17. In praxis, such cut-off groove 22 may be provided to each side of the first 15 and the second end wall 17, such that the cut-off groove 22 is preferably found at least at a side of the first 15 or the second end wall 17 that is opposite from the side employed for forming the draining channel 12. In this arrangement, the cut-off groove 22 may be used for facilitating cutting off of the part of the extension piece 8 that is not used for forming the draining channel 12 in a given use case, thereby enabling the arrangement 1 to be made shorter.

[0018] Alternatively or in addition, the arrangement 1 may be provided such that two or more extension pieces 8 are arranged to connect to each other at one or both sides of the center piece 3 to form an extended draining channel 12, or each extension piece 8 may be comprised of two or more detachably connected segments so that the length of the extension piece 8 may be adapted as needed, without needing to cut off any excess. When two or more connected extension pieces 8 are used, the arrangement 1 in other words comprises at least one additional extension piece 8 arranged to connect to the at least one extension piece 8 connecting to the center piece 3 such that one of the first face 10 and the opposite second face 11 of the additional extension piece 8 at least partially aligns with the first face 10 or the opposite second face 11 of the extension piece 8 connecting to the center piece 3.

[0019] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second and a third embodiment of the arrangement 1, respectively, where no extension pieces 8 are connected to the center piece 3. As said second and third embodiments correspond for most part to the embodiment of Figure 1, the following description only focuses on the differences between said embodiments. In the example of Figure 4, the center piece 3 is arranged such that its second surface 6 is facing upwards in its installation position, the second surface 6 in this case being provided as a flat surface. In other words, no draining channel 12 has been provided to the second surface 6. In this setup, the floor drain arrangement 1 may be used in locations where only the inlet opening 7 is required for conveying water away from the floor surface, without need for the draining channel 12. In these cases, the second surface 6 may serve for providing an installation surface for floor tiles, for example. The second surface 6 may also be provided with a slightly sloping shape without deviating from the functional principle as described.

[0020] In the example of Figure 5, where the center piece 3 is arranged such that its first surface 5 defining the draining channel 12 is facing upwards in its installation position and where extension pieces 8 are not connected to the center piece 3, the arrangement 1 further comprises a wall piece 28 arranged to connect to the center piece 3 at one of its end surfaces 9. With said wall piece 28, the end of the draining channel 12 may be defined to the location of the end surface 9 without using the extension piece 8, such that a smaller fourth end length 29 of the draining channel 12 is defined. Thereby, by implementation of the wall piece 28, the adaptability of the arrangement 1 is yet further improved. With the addition of the wall piece 28, as well as with the addition of the first 15 and second end walls 17 of the extension piece 8, also spreading of concrete to the area of the draining channel 12 during installation casting of the arrangement 1 may be prevented.

[0021] As best seen in Figures 1 to 3, in these examples the extension pieces 8 are provided with a plurality of slots 25 opening to their two opposite side surfaces 26 along the length of the extension pieces 8. As further illustrated in Figure 1, the arrangement 1 may then also comprise one or several support legs 27 arranged to connect to any one of the slots 25. Said support legs 27 may be used for adjusting and aligning the arrangement 1 and the floor drain 2 to their correct installation positions before performing the installation casting. With said arrangement, the support legs 27 may be adapted to several different positions in relation to the extension pieces 8, thereby enabling different supporting configurations of the arrangement. This way, variations of the shape of the installation location may be more easily accommodated. Similar arrangement of the slots 25 and the support legs 27 connecting to the slots 25 may also be provided to the center piece 3.

[0022] To better illustrate the structure of the center piece 3, Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the center piece 3 of the arrangement of Figure 1. In this example, the center piece 3 comprises two center halves 30, 31 detachably connecting to each other to define together the first surface 5, the second surface 6 and the through hole 4. In the illustrated example, the through hole 4 is centered at an intersection plane 32 between the center halves 30, 31, in other words such that when the two center halves 30, 31 are connected to form the center piece 3, the through hole 4 is centered at its longitudinal middle plane. The arrangement as described allows either one of the first surface 5 and the second surface 6 to be positioned facing upwards after the installation of the arrangement, so as to employ either one of the surfaces to form the upper surface of the arrangement 1.

[0023] In praxis, the center halves 30, 31 may be formed such that the first surface 5 is provided with the side walls 13 and the bottom wall 14 as described above to define the draining channel 12, and the second surface is provided as a flat or nearly flat surface to provide an alternative installation surface for floor tiles, for example. This way, different floor drain setups may be accommodated using only said two center halves 30, 31.

[0024] To illustrate the connection interface between the center piece 3 and the floor drain 2 in the assembly state of the arrangement 1, Figure 7 illustrates a partial cross-cut section of said parts according to the arrangement of Figure 1. In this example, the two center halves 30, 31 each comprise a flange 33 arranged to connect to a groove 34 provided to the inlet opening 7 of the floor drain 2. More precisely, the groove 34 in this example is provided to the floor drain 2 in vicinity of the inlet opening 7. The flange 33 of the center halves 30, 31 has an outer shape corresponding to an outer shape of the groove 34 of the inlet opening 7. In other words, in this arrangement the connection between the center halves 30, 31 and the inlet opening 7 takes place through a form-fit arrangement between the flange 33 and the groove 34, allowing said parts to be removably connected without using any tools or additional fastening parts. Additionally, the connection as described may easily be formed to be fluid tight. In other embodiments of the arrangement 1, the positioning of the flange 33 and the groove 34 may also be reversed such that the flange 33 is provided to the floor drain 2.

[0025] In the example of Figures 6 and 7, the center halves 30, 31 each comprise through channels 35 between their opposite side surfaces 36 for receiving fastening parts. The through channels 35 of each center halve 30, 31 then align with the corresponding through channels 35 of the other center halve 30, 31 when they are connected to form the center piece 3, such that continuous passages through the center piece 3 are formed. With said arrangement, the center halves 30, 31 may be connected and secured to their positions around the inlet opening 7 by fastening parts, such as screws.

[0026] It is to be understood that the above description and the accompanying figures are only intended to illustrate the present invention. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention can be varied and modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An arrangement (1) for a floor drain (2), comprising: a center piece (3) having a quadrangular outer shape and provided with a through hole (4) between a first surface (5) and an opposite second surface (6) of the center piece (3), wherein the through hole (4) is arranged to connect to an inlet opening (7) of the floor drain (2) in an assembly state of the arrangement (1), at least one extension piece (8) arranged to connect to the center piece (3) at one of its end surfaces (9) extending between the first surface (5) and the second surface (6), wherein one of a first face (10) and an opposite second face (11) of the extension piece (8) at least partially aligns with the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the center piece (3) to form together a draining channel (12) leading to the through hole (4) after connecting the extension piece (8) to the center piece (3), characterized in that the first face (10) of the at least one extension piece (8) is provided with a first end wall (15) defining a first end length (16) of the draining channel (12) and the second face (11) of the at least one extension piece (8) is provided with a second end wall (17) defining an alternative second end length (18) of the draining channel (12), wherein the first end length (16) is different from the second end length (18), and the at least one extension piece (8) is arranged to reversibly connect to the center piece (3) to at least partially align either one of the first face (10) and the second face (11) of the extension piece (8) with the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the center piece (3) to form together the draining channel (12).

2. The arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement (1) comprises: two extension pieces (8) arranged to connect to the center piece (3) at its two opposite end surfaces (9) extending between the first surface (5) and the second surface (6), wherein one of the first face (10) and the opposite second face (11) of each of the extension pieces (8) at least partially aligns with the first surface (5) or the second surface (6) of the center piece (3) to form together the draining channel (12).

3. The arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the first surface (5) and the second surface (6) of the center piece (3) and at least one of the first face (10) and the second face (11) of the at least one extension piece (8) are provided with side walls (13) delimiting the draining channel (12) at its two opposite sides and with a bottom wall (14) forming a slope to the draining channel (12) descending towards the through hole (4) after connecting the extension piece (8) to the center piece (3).

4. The arrangement (1) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the at least one extension piece (8) comprises connectors (19) provided to its two opposite end surfaces (20) extending between the first face (10) and the second face (11) for reversibly connecting the extension piece (8) at either of the end surfaces (20) to the center piece (3), and the second end wall (17) is positioned off-center of the second face (11) to define at one side the second end length (18) and at another side an alternative third end length (21) of the draining channel (12).

5. The arrangement (1) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the at least one extension piece (8) is provided with a cut-off groove (22) located at an opposite side of the first end wall (15) or the second end wall (17) from the draining channel (12).

6. The arrangement (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the connectors (19) of the at least one extension piece (8) comprise one of a slide slot (23) and a slide protrusion (24), and the center piece (3) comprises another one of the slide slot (23) and a slide protrusion (24) provided to at least one of its two opposite end surfaces (9) and having an outer shape corresponding to an outer shape of the slide slot (23) or the slide protrusion (24) of the connectors (19).

7. The arrangement (1) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the at least one extension piece (8) is provided with a plurality of slots (25) opening to its two opposite side surfaces (26) along the length of the extension piece (8), and the arrangement (1) further comprises at least one support leg (27) arranged to connect to any one of the slots (25).

8. The arrangement (1) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the arrangement (1) further comprises a wall piece (28) arranged to connect to the center piece (3) at one of its end surfaces (9) to define a fourth end length (29) of the draining channel (12) after connecting the wall piece (28) to the center piece (3).

9. The arrangement (1) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the arrangement (1) further comprises: at least one additional extension piece (8) arranged to connect to the at least one extension piece (8) connecting to the center piece (3), wherein one of the first face (10) and the opposite second face (11) of the additional extension piece (8) at least partially aligns with the first face (10) or the opposite second face (11) of the extension piece (8) connecting to the center piece (3).

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