Facade drainage channel

Abstract

The invention relates to a facade drainage channel comprising a main body with a base (2), a first side wall (3) and a second side wall, and a grate (5) which, in use, is supported by the first and second side walls, the first side wall (3) and the second side wall extending from the base to the grate (5) in a corresponding main direction, the facade drainage channel (100) being configured to be arranged adjacent to a wall of the facade of a building, the first side wall (3) being configured to be arranged facing said facade wall. According to the invention, the first side wall (3) comprises a plurality of openings (6) arranged in a staggered pattern in parallel rows in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding main direction, such that the adjacent rows are partially overlapping in said main direction.

Description

Title of the invention: Facade drainage channel technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to drainage channels for facades. Prior art

[0002] For the drainage of terraces and facades, it is common practice to install drainage channels laid in the ground to be drained, near the facade of a building. These drainage channels, due to their proximity to the facade, are often referred to as facade channels.

[0003] Drainage channels usually comprise a main body, normally U-shaped or V-shaped, with a base and two side walls, and a grate that remains supported by the side walls. Surface water, or water falling from the facade itself, flows from the top into the drainage channels through grates comprising a plurality of openings, for its collection and discharge.

[0004] On the other hand, facade drainage channels are drainage channels arranged near the facade of a building, with one of their side walls facing the building's facade. It is common to place an insulating material between the facade and the drainage channel to ensure the facade is watertight. Description of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved facade drainage channel.

[0006] According to the invention, this facade drainage channel comprises a main body with a base, a first side wall and a second side wall, and a grid which, in use, is supported by the first and second side walls, the first side wall and the second side wall extending from the base towards the grid in a corresponding main direction, the facade drainage channel being configured to be disposed adjacent to a wall of the facade of a building, the first side wall being configured to be disposed facing said facade wall, the first side wall comprising a plurality of orifices arranged in a staggered pattern in parallel rows in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding main direction, so that the adjacent rows are partially superimposed in said main direction.

[0007] Advantageously, the orifices are equal and, in each orifice, a circumscribed circle can be defined inside it, the geometric centers of said circumscribed circles of the orifices of adjacent rows being separated by a distance greater than or equal to the diameter of said circumscribed circle and less than or equal to three times said diameter.

[0008] Advantageously, the geometric centers of adjacent circumscribed circles of the orifices of the same row are separated by a distance which is less than or equal to twice the diameter of the circumscribed circle and greater than said diameter.

[0009] Advantageously, the circumscribed circle of each orifice comprises a diameter between 2 and 20 mm, preferably between 6 and 16 mm, and most preferably between 8 and 14 mm.

[0010] Advantageously, the orifices are hexagonal, circular, oval, triangular and / or any geometric shape in which a circle can be circumscribed.

[0011] Advantageously, the side wall comprises a wall density in the range of 10 to 50%, said wall density being defined as the ratio between the sum of the areas of the orifices of a segment of the side wall and the total area of ​​said segment, said segment being a rectangular segment 30 mm wide by 30 mm high.

[0012] Advantageously, at least a portion of the base also comprises a plurality of orifices arranged in a staggered pattern.

[0013] Advantageously, the base comprises a wall density in the range of 10 to 50%, said wall density being defined as the ratio between the sum of the areas of the orifices of a segment of the base and the total area of ​​said segment, said segment being a rectangular segment 30 mm wide by 30 mm high.

[0014] Advantageously, the first side wall also includes a plurality of openings separated along a longitudinal direction of the drainage channel, each opening extending from the first side wall preferably to a portion of the base, a corresponding recess being formed in the drainage channel.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the first side wall and the second side wall extend perpendicularly to the base, so that the main direction of each side wall is a vertical direction, which forms a U-shaped main body.

[0016] According to another advantageous embodiment, the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall extend at an obtuse angle with respect to the base, which forms a main body in the shape of a V.

[0017] Advantageously, the first side wall comprises a thickness of between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 6 mm, and most preferably between 2 and 4 mm.

[0018] Advantageously, the main body is made of metal, preferably galvanized steel or stainless steel, plastic, composite, ceramic or concrete.

[0019] The facade drainage channel of the invention therefore comprises a main body with a base, a first side wall and a second side wall, and a grid which, In use, it is supported by the first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the base towards the grid in a corresponding main direction. The facade drainage channel is configured to be positioned adjacent to a facade wall of a building, with the first side wall configured to face said facade wall.

[0020] The first side wall comprises a plurality of orifices arranged in a staggered pattern in parallel rows in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding main direction, so that the adjacent rows are partially superimposed in said main direction.

[0021] The drainage channel of the invention, in addition to draining surface water from the ground, or water that falls or flows onto the facade itself, also contributes to ensuring the building's watertightness. Thanks to the multiple openings arranged in the first side wall, it is possible to visually check, preferably without the grid, the correct placement of the insulating material around the building's facade. Similarly, in the hypothetical event of a water leak in the facade, the multiple openings in the first side wall also allow for the detection of said leak, as it is possible to visualize the watermarks formed, which, due to gravity, will follow a downward path in a vertical direction.Therefore, thanks to the drainage channel and periodic visual inspection of the facade, it is possible to detect a waterproofing problem in the building before it has any consequences.

[0022] These advantages and features, as well as others, will become apparent from the figures and the detailed description of the invention. Description of the figures

[0023] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the facade drainage channel according to one embodiment of the invention. - Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the facade drainage channel of Fig. 1 but without the grid. - Fig. 3A is an enlarged detail of the staggered arrangement of the plurality of orifices of the facade drainage channel of Fig. 1. - Fig. 3B is a segment of said arrangement. - Fig. 4 shows schematically an example of the use of the drainage channel of Fig. 1. - Fig. 5 schematically shows another example of the use of the drainage channel of Fig. 1. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the facade drainage channel 100 of the invention. As shown in that figure, the drainage channel 100 comprises a main body 1 and a grid 5 disposed on the main body 1. The main body 1 in turn comprises a base 2, a first side wall 3, and a second side wall 4, the first and second side walls extending from the base 2 to the grid 5 in a corresponding main direction, as can be seen more clearly in Figure 2. In the non-limiting example of Figure 1 or 2, the main direction in which the first side wall 3 extends has been referenced with the symbol Z1 and that in which the second side wall 4 extends with the symbol Z2.

[0025] The façade drainage channel 100 of the invention is configured to be arranged adjacent to a wall 110 of the façade of a building, as seen in the non-limiting example of [Fig.4], the first side wall 3 of the channel 100 being configured to be arranged facing said wall 110 of the façade.

[0026] The first side wall 3 comprises a plurality of orifices 6 arranged in a staggered pattern in parallel rows in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding main direction ZI, so that the orifices 6 of the adjacent rows are partially superimposed in said main direction ZI, as can be seen in detail in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0027] As can be seen in the non-limiting example of [Fig.3A], the orifices 6 of the same row are aligned along a direction different from the main direction Zl, said direction preferably being a direction perpendicular to the main direction ZL. On the other hand, the orifices 6 of adjoining rows are not aligned in the main direction Zl, but are arranged so that an orifice 6 of a given row is superimposed in the main direction Zl by at least two orifices 6 of a higher row and / or two orifices 6 of a lower row, except in the case of the orifices 6 of the ends, in these cases they will be superimposed by an orifice 6 of a higher row and / or an orifice 6 of a lower row.

[0028] As can be seen in [Fig. 3A], the orifices 6 of intercalated rows can be aligned in the main direction ZL

[0029] The façade drainage channel 100 of the invention, in use, remains disposed near the façade of a building. Building façades usually comprise a structural wall 110 (which is generally hidden) and a façade wall 130 disposed on the structural wall 110, said façade wall 130 being the exposed face of the façade. In ventilated façades, for example, there may be a distance between the façade wall 130 and the structural wall 110. The first side wall 3 of the channel 100 of the invention is disposed facing the structural wall 110 of the façade, as seen in the non-limiting examples of Figures 4 and 5. As As can be seen in the said figures, between the facade of the building and the drainage channel 100 of the invention, more specifically between the structural wall 110 and the drainage channel 100, an insulating material 120 is placed to ensure the sealing of the facade of the building.

[0030] The drainage channel 100 of the invention, in addition to draining surface water from the ground, or water that falls or flows onto the facade itself, also contributes to ensuring the building's watertightness. Thanks to the plurality of openings 6 arranged in the first side wall 3, preferably by removing the grille 5, it is possible to visually check on one side whether there is insulating material 120, and on the other side whether the insulating material 120 is correctly positioned, since the plurality of openings 6 allows one to see through the first side wall 3. Similarly, in the hypothetical case of a water leak occurring in the building's facade, the plurality of openings 6 in the first side wall 3 also makes it possible to detect said leak because it is possible to visualize the watermarks formed, which, due to the effect of gravity, will follow a downward path in a vertical direction.Therefore, thanks to the 100 drainage channel of the invention, and to periodic visual inspection of the condition of the facade, it is possible to detect a waterproofing problem in the building before said problem has consequences.

[0031] In the facades of the non-limiting examples in Figures 4 and 5, there is a risk of water leaking from the facade wall 130 to the structural wall 110, primarily in the portions where the structural wall 110 is not covered by the facade wall 130 (for example, near the ground). Therefore, the correct placement of the insulating material 120 is very important to ensure the watertightness of the building, especially the building structure or skeleton and foundations, which are usually buried, as well as underground garages and / or storage areas. The insulating material 120 can be a single material, or several insulating materials can be arranged to cover different surfaces. The insulating material 120 can be arranged vertically, as seen in the diagram in [Fig. 5], but it can also be bent to allow for mounting, for example, in an L-shape, as shown in the non-limiting example in [Fig. 5].4], so that it is possible to cover the facade vertically and the ground or foundations horizontally, or a first insulating material can be placed vertically and a second insulating material horizontally.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the orifices 6 of the first side wall 3 have the same geometric shape. In each orifice 6, it is possible to define a circumscribed circle within it, as shown in dashed lines in [Fig. 3B], the geometric centers of said circumscribed circles of the orifices 6 of adjacent rows being separated by a distance B, as shown in [Fig. 3B]. which is greater than or equal to the diameter D of said circumscribed circle, and preferably less than or equal to three times said diameter D.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the orifices 6 are hexagonal, as shown in detail in [Fig. 3A]. In another variant of the invention, the orifices 6 may also be circular, oval, triangular, or of any geometric shape in which a circle can be circumscribed. If the orifices are circular, the circumscribed circle is the outline of the orifice itself.

[0034] The geometric centers of adjacent circumscribed circles of the orifices 6 in the same row are separated by a distance A, as shown in [Fig. 3B], which is less than or equal to twice the diameter D of the circumscribed circle, thus ensuring that an orifice 6 can be partially superimposed in the principal direction ZI on at least one orifice 6 of the upper and / or lower row. Preferably, said distance A is also greater than the diameter D of the circumscribed circle.

[0035] The distances A and B allow the first lateral wall 3 to retain the necessary rigidity during the lifetime of the channel 100, while the size or height of the orifices 6, i.e. the diameter D of the circumscribed circle of each orifice 6, allows the necessary visibility to be seen through the first lateral wall 3. In this sense, the circumscribed circle of each orifice 6 includes a diameter D which is in a range between 2 and 20 mm, preferably between 6 and 15 mm, and most preferably between 8 and 14 mm.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the base 2 also comprises a plurality of staggered openings 6, that is, at least a part of the plurality of openings 6 of the first side wall 3 can extend to at least a portion of the base 2, as seen in [Fig. 2]. In this way, it is also possible to control the correct placement of the insulating material 120 in the horizontal position, further contributing to ensuring the airtightness of the building.

[0037] In order to improve visibility through the first side wall 3, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, said side wall 3 also comprises a plurality of openings 7a which are separated along a longitudinal direction X from the drainage channel 100 of the invention, as seen in Figures 1 or 2. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the direction in which the orifices 6 of a single row of the first side wall 3 are arranged coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the channel 100. Consequently, the openings 7a divide the first side wall 3 into different portions 3', each portion 3' comprising a plurality of staggered orifices 6, thus avoiding the formation of blind spots in the first side wall 3. Said portions 3' are joined together in the upper part by a longitudinal 3” support strip, favoring said 3” support strip also the support area for grid 5.

[0038] As shown in [Fig.2], the size of the openings 7a is much larger than the size of the orifices 6.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each opening 7a has a rectangular shape, although other shapes are not excluded.

[0040] As shown in the non-limiting example of [Fig. 2], each opening 7a in the first side wall 3 extends into a portion of the base 2, a corresponding recess 7 being formed in the drainage channel 100; that is, each opening 7a in the first side wall 3 enters the base 2, said base 2 being further divided into different portions 2', the orifices 6 in the base 2 being located in at least one of said portions 2'. Each recess 7 forms a viewing window to improve the control of the insulating material 120.

[0041] As shown in the non-limiting example of [Fig.2], each portion 3' of the first side wall 3 is an extension of a respective portion 2' of the base 2, and also in the example of [Fig.2], the portions 2' of the base 2 are perforated, that is to say they comprise a plurality of orifices 6.

[0042] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the orifices 6 are arranged in an area of ​​the side wall 3, i.e., it is possible that certain portions of the side wall 3 may not include orifices 6, such as, for example, the portion near the grid 5. The area with orifices 6 of the side wall 3 has a wall density in the range of 10 to 50%, said wall density being defined as the ratio between the sum of the areas of the orifices 6 of a segment of said area of ​​the side wall 3 and the total area of ​​said segment, said segment being a rectangular segment 30 mm wide x 30 mm high. [Fig. 3B] shows a non-limiting example of said rectangular segment. If the side wall 3 includes openings 7a, said openings 7a are not taken into account for the calculation of the wall density, i.e. they are not part of the segments described.The same wall density is applicable to base 2 if it also includes areas or portions with orifices 6.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first side wall 3 and the second side wall 4 extend perpendicularly to the base 2, so that the main direction ZI and Z2 of each side wall 3, 4 coincides with the vertical direction, which forms a main body 1 in the shape of a U.

[0044] In another embodiment of the invention, the first side wall 3 and the second side wall 4 extend at an obtuse angle with respect to the base 2, which forms a main body 1 in the shape of a V.

[0045] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body 1 is made of metal, for example galvanized steel or stainless steel, the thickness of the first side wall 3 being between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 6 mm, and most preferably between 2 and 4 mm. This thickness also contributes to increasing the rigidity of the first side wall 3. Thus, it is possible to increase the distance A between the holes 6 of the same row, within the permissible range, and / or the distance B between the holes 6 of adjacent rows, in order to reduce the thickness of said side wall 3, thereby reducing the amount of material required.

[0046] In another embodiment of the invention, the main body 1 is not made of metal, and it can be, for example, made of plastic, composite, ceramic or even concrete.

Claims

Demands

1. Façade drainage channel comprising a main body (1) with a base (2), a first side wall (3) and a second side wall (4), and a grid (5) which, in use, is supported by the first and second side walls (3,4), the first side wall (3) and the second side wall (4) extending from the base (2) to the grid (5) in a corresponding main direction (Z1, Z2), the façade drainage channel (100) being configured to be disposed adjacent to a wall (110) of the façade of a building, the first side wall (3) being configured to be disposed facing said façade wall (110), characterized in that the first side wall (3) comprises a plurality of orifices (6) arranged in a staggered pattern in parallel rows in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding main direction (Z1), such that the adjacent rows are partially overlapped in said main direction (Z1).

2. Channel according to claim 1, wherein the orifices (6) are equal and, in each orifice (6), a circumscribed circle can be defined within it, the geometric centers of said circumscribed circles of the orifices (6) of adjoining rows being separated by a distance (B) greater than or equal to the diameter (D) of said circumscribed circle and less than or equal to three times said diameter (D).

3. Channel according to claim 2, wherein the geometric centers of adjacent circumscribed circles of the orifices (6) of the same row are separated by a distance (A) which is less than or equal to twice the diameter (D) of the circumscribed circle and greater than said diameter (D).

4. Channel according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the circumscribed circle of each orifice (6) comprises a diameter (D) of between 2 and 20 mm, preferably between 6 and 16 mm, and most preferably between 8 and 14 mm.

5. Channel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the orifices (6) are hexagonal, circular, oval, triangular and / or any geometric shape in which a circle can be circumscribed.

6. Channel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (3) comprises a wall density in the range of 10 to 50%, said wall density being defined such as the ratio between the sum of the areas of the orifices (6) of a segment of the lateral wall (3) and the total area of ​​said segment, said segment being a rectangular segment 30 mm wide by 30 mm high.

7. Channel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the base (2) also comprises a plurality of orifices (6) arranged in a staggered pattern.

8. Channel according to claim 7, wherein the base (2) comprises a wall density in a range of between 10 and 50%, said wall density being defined as the ratio between the sum of the areas of the orifices (6) of a segment of the base (2) and the total area of ​​said segment, said segment being a rectangular segment 30 mm wide by 30 mm high.

9. Channel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first side wall (3) also comprises a plurality of openings (7a) separated along a longitudinal direction (X) of the drainage channel (100), each opening (7a) extending from the first side wall (3) preferably to a portion of the base (2), a corresponding recess (7) being formed in the drainage channel (100).

10. Channel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first side wall (3) and the second side wall (4) extend perpendicularly to the base (2), such that the principal direction (Z1, Z2) of each side wall (3, 4) is a vertical direction, forming a U-shaped main body (1).

11. Channel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first side wall (3) and the second side wall (4) extend at an obtuse angle to the base (2), forming a V-shaped main body (1).

12. Channel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first side wall (3) comprises a thickness of between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 6 mm, and most preferably between 2 and 4 mm.

13. Channel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (1) is made of metal, preferably galvanized steel or stainless steel, plastic, composite, ceramic or concrete.

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