A drainage system for a patio deck

Abstract

A drainage system (10) for a patio deck (1) is described. The drainage system (10) comprises: - a corner drain (100); and - a structural corner connection (200). A first inlet (110) of the corner drain (100) is mounted in the first gutter (212) and a second inlet (120) of the corner drain (100) is mounted in the second gutter (222). 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) comprising at least one channel (114, 124) in which the height of the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) is reduced, so as to reduce the resistance to water flow towards the respective inlet (110, 120).

Description

A drainage system for a patio deck Field The technical field refers to the field of patio covers or similar outdoor structures. Such patio covers could also be called roofing arrangements for a terrace. These patio covers may be equipped with stationary, movable, or removable elements to provide protection or partial protection against one or more elements such as sun, rain, or wind. These elements could be, for example, roofing or decking elements made of metal, glass, or textiles. Background A known drainage system for a patio roof is described, for example, in document GB2291901A. According to this embodiment, a separate drainage system is provided, comprising gutters mounted on some of the horizontal structural profiles that supply rainwater to a vertical drainpipe located near a vertical structural profile. Such a solution has the disadvantage that these additional elements lead to increased material usage, weight, mounting hardware, and the time required to assemble the patio roof. Furthermore, this also reduces the height needed to allow people to walk underneath, in, and out of the patio roof. In addition, further roofing elements are required to conceal the drainage system, which exacerbates these problems.Although in document GB2291901A the drainage system is concealed by large coverings from the exterior view of the patio deck, it remains visible from inside the deck. Furthermore, the vertical drain remains a visible element, prone to damage, hinders the unobstructed placement of doors, windows, blinds, etc., and detracts from the aesthetic appeal of the patio deck. A known additional drainage system for a patio deck is shown in document FR2947845. This drainage system uses longitudinal structural patio profiles comprising a longitudinal gutter. This offers the advantage that the drainage system can be mounted more efficiently, reducing the additional weight, mounting hardware, and material used. Since the gutter is integrated into the structural profile, and preferably made of the same material, such as aluminum, as the structural profile, there will be visually separate, identifiable elements associated with the gutter from any viewpoint inside or outside the patio deck, thus providing an enhanced aesthetic quality to the deck. However, the drainage system in document FR2947845 suffers from some drawbacks, particularly at corners.As shown, for example, in Figure 5 of document FR2947845, a structural corner connection is provided for two longitudinal structural profiles of the patio roof. Additionally, the ends of the gutters are also at a 45° angle so that they can be positioned close together, making end-to-end contact. As further shown, bolt-shaped mounting means are provided, penetrating through the bottom of the gutter to attach the ends of the horizontal structural profiles to the vertical structural profile of the patio roof. A drainage hole is created through the contacting ends of the gutters in a position that allows water to flow into the interior of the vertical structural profile, where, for example, a vertical drainpipe can be installed for water removal.Reliably sealing the mating ends of integrated gutters has proven challenging. Achieving an exact match for the mating ends of structural profiles custom-made for a particular patio cover is often difficult. Adding and reliably testing separate sealing elements during cover assembly is cumbersome and time-consuming. Bolts and associated holes at the bottom of the gutter further exacerbate these problems. Even when a solid seal is achieved during patio cover assembly, it is typically subject to aging, changing weather conditions, and temperature variations.After some time, leaks begin to appear, especially when using structural metal profiles, such as aluminum, which are subject to thermal expansion and contraction. Fixing such leaks is cumbersome, as replacing or repairing any of the seals is difficult and time-consuming. An additional drainage system for a patio deck is known from document JP S55176902 U, comprising a corner drain comprising two inlets connected via a structural corner connection. Therefore, there is still a need for a more reliable, lightweight, and efficient drainage system with improved aesthetic qualities for patio decks, as well as a method for mounting such a drainage system that overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above. Summary According to a first aspect of the invention, a drainage system is provided for a patio roof, wherein 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 in a vertical structural patio profile, characterized in that the first corner drain inlet is mounted on the first gutter and the second corner drain inlet is mounted on the second gutter, and because the first corner drain inlet and the second corner drain inlet each comprise a raised mounting chamber configured to be filled with filler to seal and join the respective inlet to the respective gutter, and because the elevated mounting chamber comprises at least one channel in which the height of the elevated mounting chamber is reduced, so that the resistance to water flow at the respective inlet is reduced. This results in a simple, efficient, and reliable drainage system with the required aesthetic qualities, which can be easily and efficiently mounted on a pre-assembled structural corner connection. The mounting chamber ensures a secure connection between the corner drain and the structural corner connection, providing sufficient elasticity to accommodate any structural changes, such as those caused by thermal expansion. Furthermore, the corner drain is reliably sealed and secured by the filler inserted into the raised mounting chamber. This filler bonds to the outer wall of the corner drain at the level of the mounting chamber and also to the adjacent gutter wall.Since no fasteners such as screws or bolts are used, which require openings through the corner drain and / or in the gutters, this also reduces the risk of leaks and increases the efficiency of corner drain installation. There is no need to drill and align holes during assembly, nor is there a need to insert and screw such fasteners into these holes, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when working in a confined space such as a gutter. Furthermore, the channel improves water flow through the corner drain inlet and reduces the risk of dirt and debris accumulating upstream of the raised mounting chamber. According to one embodiment, a drainage system is provided, wherein the corner drain comprises an L-shape or substantially comprises an L-shape, when viewed from above when mounted. According to one embodiment, a drainage system is provided, in which: - the corner drain comprises an L-shaped bottom and two vertical L-shaped edges that bound the L-shaped bottom; and / or - The corner drain is configured to define an L-shaped drainage channel between the first and second inlets for water flow through these inlets. According to one embodiment, a drainage system is provided in which the channel of the elevated mounting chamber is wider at its top than at its bottom. It is clear that the width of the channel is defined in a transverse direction, or substantially transverse to the direction of water flow through the channel. According to one embodiment, a drainage system is provided, in which: - the channel comprises a V-shaped or substantially V-shaped 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 elevated mounting chamber extends through a bottom between two vertical walls of the respective entrance along a longitudinal chamber axis that 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 yard 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°. According to a further embodiment, a drainage system is provided, in which: - the height of the raised mounting chamber is at least twice the wall thickness of the respective entrance, preferably at least three times, preferably at least five times; - the height of the raised mounting chamber is at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm; and / or - The channel width along a longitudinal camera axis at the bottom of the channel, with respect to the width of the raised mounting chamber along this longitudinal camera axis, is in the range of 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, preferably 5% or less. It is evident that the wall thickness according to some embodiments corresponds to the thickness of the respective inlet material, such as, for example, the thickness of plastic, transparent plastic, polymer, transparent polymer... According to a further embodiment, a drainage system is provided, wherein the filling comprises or consists of one or more of the following: - a sealant; - a curable sealant; - an adhesive sealant; - silicone; - polyurethane. According to a further embodiment, a drainage system is provided, in which the material of: - the first, second and / or third longitudinal structural courtyard profile comprises and / or consists of one or more of the following: - metal; - aluminum, - The corner drain comprises and / or consists of: - plastic; - transparent plastic; - polyvinyl chloride or PVC; - polyoxymethylene or POM; - acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene or ABS; - polystyrene or PS; - metal; - aluminum. According to a further embodiment, a drainage system is provided, in which: - the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal structural courtyard profile is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the second longitudinal structural courtyard profile; - the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal structural courtyard profile is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vertical structural courtyard profile; - the longitudinal axis of the second longitudinal structural courtyard profile is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vertical structural courtyard profile; - the longitudinal axis of the first longitudinal structural courtyard profile diverges 10° or less with respect to a horizontal plane; - the longitudinal axis of the second longitudinal structural courtyard profile diverges 10° or less with respect to a horizontal plane; and / or - The longitudinal axis of the vertical structural patio profile diverges 10° or less from a vertical direction. According to a further embodiment, a drainage system is provided, wherein the corner drain comprises a drainage hole or opening configured to allow water to flow into the interior of the vertical structural patio profile of the structural corner connection. According to a second aspect, a patio cover is provided 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 on one of said structural corner connections. According to one embodiment, a patio cover is provided, wherein at least one of said corner drains comprises a drainage hole or opening configured to allow water flow into the interior of the vertical structural patio profile of the structural corner connection on which it is mounted. According to one embodiment, a patio cover is provided, wherein at least one, preferably two or three, of said corner drains are configured to not allow water to flow into the interior of the vertical structural patio profile of the structural corner connection on which it is mounted. According to a third aspect, a kit of parts is provided for use as a drainage system according to the first aspect or a patio cover according to the second aspect, characterized in that the kit of parts comprises - at least one said corner drain; and - at least one such corner connection. According to a fourth aspect, a method is provided 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 assemble said corner connection; and - Next, assemble said corner drain by placing it in said corner connection, applying a filler in the raised mounting chamber, and allowing the filler to cure, thereby adhering the corner drain to the corner connection. It is clear that additional embodiments and / or combinations are possible, for example, embodiments comprising similar structural and / or functional features and / or operating stages as defined with respect to another aspect. Drawings The following are examples of implementations, not intended to be limiting, and are illustrated with drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a drainage system for a patio deck; Figure 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of a corner drain, similar to that used in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a partial side view along arrow III shown in Figure 1 of an embodiment of an inlet with a raised mounting camera when mounted on a gutter; Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a drainage system, similar to the embodiment in Figure 1. Description An embodiment of a drainage system 10 for a patio deck 1 is shown, for example, in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a top view of a corner of a patio deck 1. It is clear that, according to such embodiments, the patio deck, as generally known to a person skilled in the art, normally comprises four such corners and, viewed 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. As shown, viewed from above when assembled, the embodiment of the corner drain 100 comprises an L-shape or substantially comprises an L-shape. As will be described in more detail below, the embodiment of the corner drain 100 shown comprises an L-shaped bottom 102, which is bounded by two vertical L-shaped edges or vertical walls 104, 106. It is clear that in this way, as shown, the realization of 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. It is clear that alternative embodiments are possible, with any other suitable shape, in which the corner drain 100 comprises a first inlet 110 and a second inlet 120. Such alternative shapes could, for example, be any suitable circular segment shape, curved segment, polygonal segment... and / or any combination thereof that defines a suitable channel between the first inlet 110 and the second inlet 120 of the corner drain 100. The realization of the structural corner connection 200 shown in Figure 1 shows a corner connection 200 of a first longitudinal structural yard profile 210 comprising a first longitudinal gutter 212 and a second longitudinal structural yard profile 220 comprising a second longitudinal gutter 222 in a vertical structural yard profile 230. It is clear that, as is generally known, according to embodiments of patio cover 1, patio cover 1 comprises four such structural corner connections 200. According to such embodiments, patio cover 1 comprises four horizontal or substantially horizontal longitudinal structural profiles supported at or near the corners by vertical 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 on elements other than a vertical profile, such as, for example, a wall or any other suitable structure. According to common embodiments, patio cover 1 comprises a rectangular or substantially rectangular circumference when viewed from above.According to such embodiments, the patio deck 1 comprises four such corner drains 100 mounted respectively on one of the four structural corner connections 200. Whereas, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the corner drain 100 comprises a drainage hole 108 configured to permit water flow into the interior of the vertical structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200 on which it is mounted. Although such drainage holes or alternative drainage openings 108 could be present on a plurality of vertical structural profiles 230, according to a preferred embodiment, at least one, preferably three, of said corner drains 100 are configured to prevent water flow into the interior of the vertical structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200 on which it is mounted.In this way, the outflow of water is limited to one of the vertical structural profiles, simplifying the connection of other downstream drainage systems, and the flow to this corner piece can be easily made with similar corner drains 100 in the other structural corner connections 200, thereby simplifying and increasing the assembly efficiency of the patio cover 1. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first inlet 110 of the corner drain 100 is mounted in 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 bottom 102 of the inlet 110 rests on the bottom 202 of the first gutter 212, and the vertical edges 104, 106 of the first inlet 110 are adjacent to the vertical edges 204, 206 of the first gutter 212. As further shown in Figure 1, the second inlet 120 of the corner drain 100 is mounted in 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 bottom 102 of the inlet 120 rests on the bottom 202 of the second gutter 212, and the vertical edges 104, 106 of the second inlet 120 are adjacent to the vertical edges 204, 206 of the second gutter 222. As further shown, the second inlet 120 of the corner drain 100 is mounted in 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 more detail, for example in Figure 2 and Figure 4, these raised mounting chambers 112, 122 are configured to be filled with a filler for seal and join the respective inlet 110, 120 to the respective gutter 212, 222.In other words, as shown, these raised mounting chambers 122 are formed by a local elevation of the bottom 102 and the vertical 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 on the structural corner connection 200. The raised mounting chamber 112, 122 is configured so that it can be filled with fill material when mounted, for example, through one or more suitable openings, also called fill openings 126, for inserting the fill material into the raised mounting chamber 112, 122. Optionally, one or more additional outlet openings could also be provided to allow the escape of air or excess fill material when the fill material is inserted into the raised mounting chamber 112, 122. As further shown in Figure 1 and 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 comprise 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-shaped cross-section, is configured to reduce resistance to water flow through the respective inlet 110, 120. However, it is 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 circular segment shape, a rectangular shape, a segment of a polygonal shape, etc. 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 a greater level of sealing by maximizing the contact area of ​​the fill material with the channel, while also permitting a higher flow rate and reducing the risk of dirt or debris accumulation at the level of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 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. Furthermore, this advantageously supports a reduction in water flow resistance and reduces the risk of dirt accumulation. Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment, similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3. Similar elements with similar references and functions have been provided in a manner similar to that described herein. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the elevated mounting chamber 112, 122 extends through a bottom 102 between two vertical walls 104, 106 of the respective inlet 110, 120 along a longitudinal chamber axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinal structural courtyard profile 210, 220, or in other words, to the direction of water flow.According to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 extends through the bottom 102 between two of the vertical walls 104, 106 of the respective inlet 110, 120 along a longitudinal chamber axis that is not transverse to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinal structural yard profile 210, 220, but is at a 45° angle. This further reduces flow resistance and the risk of dirt accumulation by the raised mounting chamber 112, 122. As further shown, according to the embodiment in Figure 4, the orientation of this angle is preferably such that it guides the flow in a desired direction. According to this embodiment, an opening 106 is provided in the direction of the outer vertical wall 104 of the corner drain 100, leading to the vertical longitudinal structural profile 230.It is clear that alternative embodiments are possible in which, for example, similarly to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3, an orifice 106 is provided in the bottom 102 of the corner drain 100. It is further clear that, in addition to the embodiments in Figures 1 to 4, further alternative embodiments are still possible in which this angle of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal structural 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°. As further shown in the embodiments in the figures, preferably the height of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 is at least twice the wall thickness of the respective inlet 110, 120, preferably at least three times, and preferably at least five times. In this way, the mounting chamber provides a suitable and sufficiently large space for the reliable and efficient insertion of appropriate fillers, such as, for example, a suitable silicone or polyurethane filler, as generally known to a person skilled in the art. Such fillers typically have high viscosity and / or require sufficient space for expansion during curing.Preferably, the wall thickness of the bottom of the corner drain 100, and more specifically the bottom of the inlets 110, 120, is kept as low as possible to reduce the risk of obstruction or dirt accumulation, while still allowing for an adequate level of strength, rigidity, and robustness. Preferably, the wall thickness is, for example, only 1 mm or 2 mm. Preferably, the height of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 is thus greater than this wall thickness; in other words, the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 extends upwards relative to the lowest level of the bottom 102 of the respective inlet 110, 120. This height can be defined, for example, as the height difference, in the assembled state, between the lowest level of the bottom of the respective inlet 110, 120 and 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 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 4, the width of the channel 114, 124 at the bottom of the channel 114, 124 is kept low to increase the area in which the filler is available for sealing and bonding the inlet 110, 120 of the corner drain 100 to the respective gutter 212, 222. According to common embodiments, the width of this gutter 212, 222 is 2 cm or more, for example 3 cm or more, 5 cm or more..., the width of the channel 114, 124 at its bottom in Figures 1 to 3 is normally only 1 mm or 2 mm, and in Figure 4 it is, for example, 1 cm or less, for example 0.5 cm or less.It is clear that further embodiments are still possible in which the width of the channel 114, 124 along a longitudinal chamber axis at the bottom of the channel 114, 124, with respect to the width of the raised mounting chamber 112, 122 along this longitudinal chamber axis, is in the range of 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, preferably 5% or less. According to the embodiments shown in Figure 1 to Figure 4, the elevated mounting chamber 112, 122 comprises a channel 114, 124; however, it is clear that alternative embodiments are possible in which the elevated mounting chamber 112, 122 comprises any suitable plurality of channels 114, 124, such as for example two, three, four or more. 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 person skilled in the art. In this particular application, such a filler is advantageous over other mounting methods because it does not require creating any holes in the gutter and, after curing, retains a certain level of flexibility so that a reliable seal and adhesion can be maintained even when subjected to changes in the structural corner connection 200, for example, as a result of thermal expansion. However, it is clear that alternative embodiments for the filler are possible, in which the filler preferably comprises or consists of one or more of the following: a sealant; a curable sealant; an adhesive sealant; silicone; polyurethane... According to a preferred embodiment, the first, second, and / or third longitudinal structural patio profiles 210, 220, 230 of the structural corner connection 200 are made of a suitable lightweight metal, such as aluminum. However, it is clear that alternative embodiments are possible in which these structural profiles comprise and / or consist of one or more of the following: metal; aluminum; plastic; or any other lightweight material suitable for outdoor exposure to the elements and suitable for bearing loads, such as roofing elements like slats, tarpaulins, latticework, etc., and / or resisting external loads, such as snow, rain, wind, etc.According to a preferred embodiment, the corner drain 100 is made of transparent plastic, as this allows for more reliable and robust assembly of the corner drain 100, since during the application of the filler, it can be verified 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; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS; polystyrene or PS; metal; aluminum. As further shown, according to preferred embodiments, it is clear that the longitudinal axis 210L of the first longitudinal structural courtyard profile 210 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 220L of the second longitudinal structural courtyard profile 210. It is further clear that the longitudinal axis 210L of the first longitudinal structural courtyard profile 210 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 230L of the vertical structural courtyard profile 230. It is also clear that the longitudinal axis 220L of the second longitudinal structural courtyard profile 210 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 230L of the vertical structural courtyard profile 230. It is even more clear that the longitudinal axis 210L of the first longitudinal structural courtyard profile 210 diverges by 10° or less from a horizontal plane, and preferably the longitudinal axis 220L of the second longitudinal structural courtyard profile 220 also diverges by 10° or less from a horizontal plane.It is also clear that the longitudinal axis 230L of the vertical structural courtyard profile 230 diverges 10° or less from a vertical direction. According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second longitudinal structural courtyard profiles 210, 220 are horizontal or substantially horizontal, and the vertical structural courtyard profile 230 is vertical or substantially vertical. As further shown, according to some embodiments, the corner drain 100 comprises a drainage hole or opening 108 configured to allow water to flow into the vertical structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200. According to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, an opening is provided in the bottom of the corner drain 100 at a location above the vertical structural profile 230. According to the embodiment of Figure 4, an opening is provided in a vertical wall of the corner drain 100 at a location providing access to the structural profile 230. Further alternative embodiments for such holes or openings 108 are still possible. According to another preferred embodiment, these holes or openings 108 are provided with a removable cover, such as, for example, a portion of the wall already having a reduced contour, or in which a flexible element is disposed that can be pierced or opened, etc.To allow flexibility regarding the use of the corner drain. When mounted on structural corner connections 200 that do not require such an opening 108, but simply need water flow through the first and second inlets 110, 120, the opening or hole may remain covered. When mounted on a structural corner connection 200 of the patio deck 1 where water is to drain through the vertical structural profile 230, a suitable hole or opening 108 may be created in the corner drain 100, preferably by means of removing the removable cover or manipulating the flexible element. As previously mentioned, according to a common embodiment, the patio deck 1 comprises four of these structural corner connections 200 and four of these corner drains 100, each mounted on one of the four structural corner connections 200. In such embodiments, one of the corner drains 100, for example, comprises a drainage hole or opening 108 configured to allow water flow into the interior of the vertical structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200 on which it is mounted. The other three corner drains 100 are configured to prevent water flow into the interior of the vertical structural patio profile 230 of the structural corner connection 200 on which they are 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 are combined in the drainage system for the patio deck. It is also clear that, to facilitate 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. A kit of parts of this type comprising at least one corner drain 100; and at least one corner connection 200. As previously mentioned, the drainage system 10 is particularly advantageous when mounted on a pre-assembled or already assembled structural corner connection 200. In other words, this allows for an efficient method of assembling the drainage system 100, or the patio cover 100, or the kit of parts as described herein. According to such an advantageous method, the corner connection 200 can first be assembled, and then the corner drain 100 can be mounted by placing it on said corner connection 200, applying grout to the raised mounting chamber 122, and allowing the grout to cure, thereby bonding the corner drain 100 to the corner connection 200. Clearly, this advantageous method allows for 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 longitudinal structural profiles 210, 220 at their adjacent ends; however, it is clear that any other suitable embodiment, as is generally known to the skilled in the art, for connecting and / or joining the first, second and / or vertical longitudinal structural profiles 210, 230 of the corner connection 200 is possible, such as by means of any suitable coupling means such as bolts, screws, etc. However, it is clear that additional 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 deck (1), wherein 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 yard profile (210) comprising a first longitudinal gutter (212) and a second longitudinal structural yard profile (220) comprising a second longitudinal gutter (222) in a vertical structural yard profile (230), characterized in that the first inlet (110) of the corner drain (100) is mounted in the first gutter (212) and the second inlet (120) of the corner drain (100) is mounted in 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 comprising a raised mounting chamber (112, 122) configured to be filled with a filler to seal and join the inletrespective (110, 120) to the respective gutter (212, 222), and wherein 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, so as to reduce the resistance to water flow at the respective inlet (110, 120).

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

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

4. A system ofDrainage according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the channel (114, 124) of the elevated mounting chamber (112, 122) is wider at its upper part than at its lower part.

5. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - the channel (114, 124) comprises a V-shaped or substantially V-shaped 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 elevated mounting chamber (112, 122) extends through a bottom (102) between two vertical walls (104, 106) of the respective entrance (110, 120) along a longitudinal chamber axis that 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 yard 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 twice 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 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, preferably at least 5 mm; and / or - the width of the channel (114, 124) along a longitudinal chamber axis at the bottom of the channel (114, 124), with respect to the width of the raised mounting chamber (112, 122) along this longitudinal chamber 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, in thethat 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; - aluminum; - the corner drain comprises and / or consists of: - plastic; - transparent plastic; - a polymer; - a transparent polymer; - polyvinyl chloride or PVC; - polyoxymethylene or POM; - acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene or ABS; - polystyrene or PS; - metal; - aluminum.

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 courtyard profile (210) is transverse to the longitudinal axis (230L) of the vertical structural courtyard profile (230); - the longitudinal axis (220L) of the second longitudinal structural courtyard profile (210) is transverse to the longitudinal axis (230L) of the vertical structural courtyard profile (230); - the longitudinal axis (210L) of the first longitudinal structural courtyard profile (210) diverges 10° or less with respect to a horizontal plane; - the longitudinal axis (220L) of the second longitudinal structural courtyard profile (220) diverges 10° or less with respect to a horizontal plane; and / or - the longitudinal axis (230L) of the vertical structural courtyard profile (230) diverges 10° or less with respect to a vertical direction.

10. A drainage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the corner drain (100) comprises a drainage hole or opening (108) configured to allow water to flow into the interior of the profile11. 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) mounted respectively on 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 drainage hole or opening (108) configured to allow water flow into the interior of the vertical structural patio profile (230) of the structural corner connection (200) on 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 to prevent flow ofwater into the interior of the vertical 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 claims 1 to 10, or the patio cover according to any of 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 claims 1 to 10, or the patio cover (100) according to any of 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 assemble said corner drain (100) by placing it in said corner connection (200), applying a filler in the raised mounting chamber (122) and allowing theThe filler cures by thereby adhering the corner drain (100) to the corner connection (200).

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