Paver Stone Deck Drain With Integrated Support Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drain covers in landscaped surfaces, such as those made of paver stones, pose safety hazards due to material dissimilarity and aesthetic issues, as they often have a different coefficient of friction and appearance compared to the surrounding stones, leading to slip accidents and disrupting the visual appeal.
Innovation Solution
A drain system where paver stones act as the cover, with adjustable retainers and support members that allow a paver stone to be placed on top, creating a seamless aesthetic while providing a drainage pathway through slots and a cavity connected to a drain pipe, thus eliminating the need for a distinct cover material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal drain cover is used, then the drain functions properly for water collection, but the coefficient of friction differs from surrounding paver stones creating a safety hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drain cover function with the surrounding paver stones by allowing a paver stone to serve as the cover. The support members enable a paver stone to be positioned over the drain opening, creating a unified surface material throughout the walkway that maintains consistent friction characteristics and eliminates the safety hazard of material transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies homogeneity by using the same paver stone material for both the surrounding surface and the drain cover. This creates a uniform surface with consistent coefficient of friction across the entire walkway area, eliminating the dissimilar material interface that causes slip hazards.
2Reliability
If a metal drain cover is used, then the drain functions properly, but the aesthetic appearance is disrupted due to material dissimilarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drain cover function with the surrounding paver stones by allowing a paver stone to serve as the cover. The support members enable a paver stone to be positioned over the drain opening, creating a unified surface material throughout the walkway that maintains consistent friction characteristics and eliminates the safety hazard of material transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies homogeneity by using the same paver stone material for both the surrounding surface and the drain cover. This creates a uniform surface with consistent coefficient of friction across the entire walkway area, eliminating the dissimilar material interface that causes slip hazards.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If paver stones are used as drain covers, then aesthetic appearance and safety are improved, but the structural support requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function into multiple discrete support members positioned around the drain opening. Each support member individually supports a portion of the paver stone cover, distributing the structural load and providing adjustable positioning to ensure proper support without requiring excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating support members only at the drain location where needed, rather than reinforcing the entire walkway structure. The support members are positioned locally around the drain opening to provide targeted support for the paver stone cover while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the existing walkway.
Data Source
AI summary
A drain is provided which may be used in a surface including a paver stone. The drain includes a body having an upper wall and a cavity extending from the upper wall. The body further includes a drain opening in fluid communication with the cavity. The body additionally includes a plurality of support members. Each support member at least partially extends into the cavity and includes a support surface, with the support surfaces of the plurality of support members being configured to collectively support a paver stone placed thereon. The drain additionally includes a plurality of retainers selectively engageable with the body to collectively define a paver zone sized to receive the paver stone. The body includes a drainage pathway from a location outside of the paver zone, through the cavity and to the drain opening.