Patent Publication Number: US-2023139368-A1

Title: Roof drain and promenade support

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/275,296, filed Nov. 3, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The embodiments described herein relate to a roof drain, and more particularly, to a roof drain that also serves as a floor panel support. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In promenade patio and/or terrace floors, the floor panels are supported by pedestals above a subfloor. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, a drain support is configured for installation on a surface and to support one or more floor tiles. The drain support includes a base at least partially defining a channel and an outlet, wherein the base defines a base axis, a support dome coupled to the base, wherein the support dome includes at least one aperture formed therein configured to allow fluid to flow from a position outside the dome into the channel, and a pedestal defining a support surface configured to support one or more floor tiles thereon during use, wherein the pedestal is movably coupled to the support dome. 
     In other embodiments, a drain support is configured for installation on a surface. The drain support includes a base at least partially defining a channel and an outlet; a support dome including a base ring couplable to the base, a boss offset vertically from the base ring, and a plurality of ribs extending between the base ring and the boss; and a pedestal movably coupled to the boss. 
     In still other embodiments, a support dome for use with a drain defining a channel and an outlet includes a base ring, a boss offset vertically from the base ring, a plurality of ribs extending between the base ring and the boss and configured to convey forces therebetween, and a pedestal movably coupled to the boss. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a first embodiment of a prior art roof floor assembly. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of a roof floor assembly of the present description. 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of the roof floor assembly of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a combined roof drain assembly. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a base of the combined roof drain assembly of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a section view taken alone line  6 - 6  of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a detailed view of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a roof floor assembly according to another embodiment of the present description. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a prior art roof-floor assembly  1000 . More specifically,  FIG.  1    illustrates a roof sub-floor  1004  and a plurality of paver pedestals or supports  1008  positioned thereon. During use, a plurality of floor plates  1012  are supported above the sub-floor  1004  by the paver supports  1008  to produce a floor gap  1016  therebetween. More specifically, the supports  1008  are oriented on the sub-floor  1004  in a rectangular array so that one support  1008  is positioned at each corner of the rectangular floor plates  1012 .  FIG.  1    also illustrates separate roof drain  1020  that is mounted on the sub-floor  1004  and positioned below the floor plates  1012 . During use, the roof drain  1020  is completely independent from the floor plates  1012  and is configured to collect water that seeps through the floor and collects on the sub-floor  1004 . 
       FIGS.  2 - 7    illustrate a combined drain support  200  for use within a roof assembly  204  or other elevated surface assembly to support one or more floor tiles  208  above a sub-floor or surface  212  to produce a patio, terrace, or other support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the roof assembly  204  includes one or more combined drain supports  200  and one or more paver supports  216  that, together, are configured to support and position a plurality of floor tiles  208  above the sub-floor  212  to produce a floor gap  220  therebetween. More specifically, the combined drain support  200  is configured to be used in place of one of the paver supports  216  to allow for drainage capabilities and floor support in a single product. While the illustrated embodiment is used in a roof context, it is understood that in other embodiments the drain support  200  may be used with other surfaces and situations. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates the combined drain support  200  for mounting on the sub-floor  212 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the drain support  200  includes a base  18  at least partially defining a channel  38 , a support dome  250  coupled to the base  18 , and a pedestal  254  adjustably coupled to the support dome  250  and including a support surface  258  atop which one or more floor tiles  208  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG.  2   ) may rest during use. When installed, the channel  38  of the drain support  200  is placed in fluid communication with a plumbing system (e.g., a network of conduits to reroute the rainwater off of the roof) of the corresponding building such that water accumulating on the sub-floor  212  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG.  2   ) is collected by the drain support  200  and directed into the plumbing system via the channel  38 . With reference to  FIGS.  2  and  4   , the combined drain support  200  is also configured to provide structural support for one or more floor tiles  208  resting on the support surface  258  by transmitting any forces exerted upon the floor tiles  208  (e.g., a person standing on the tile  208 , furniture or other items placed on the tiles  208 , etc.) into the sub-floor  212 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the base  18  of the drain support  200  is substantially “funnel” shaped defining the channel  38  through which rainwater may be directed into the plumbing system of the building. More specifically, when rainwater collects on the sub-floor  212 , the water flows into the inlet  40  of the channel  38  where it is directed into the plumbing or drain system via the outlet  22  thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the base  18  includes a throat portion  42  at least partially defining the channel  38 , and a flange portion  46  extending radially outwardly from the throat portion  42 . Together, the throat portion  42  and flange portion  46  define a central axis  50 . While the illustrated base  18  is cast as a single piece of material, it is to be understood that in alternative embodiments, the base  18  may be formed as multiple pieces coupled together. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the throat portion  42  of the base  18  is formed from a substantially annular wall  54  having an inner surface  58 , a first end  62  generally corresponding with the inlet  40  of the channel  38 , and a second end  66  opposite the first end  62  that generally corresponds with and forms the outlet  22  of the channel  38 . The inner surface  58  is shaped such that the inner diameter  72  of the inner surface  58  continuously and smoothly decreases as it extends axially away from the first end  62  and toward the second end  66 . More specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface  58 , taken along the axis  50 , forms a substantially convex shape over its entire axial length (see  FIG.  6   ). The throat portion  42  also defines a frusto-conical-datum surface  76  generally defined as a frusto-conically-shaped surface that is co-axial with the axis  50  and extends from the first end  62  to the second end  66 . In such embodiments, the inner surface  58  is shaped such that it is always positioned radially inside the frusto-conical datum surface  76 . 
     The inner surface  58  of the throat portion  42  forms a first surface angle  80   a  relative to the axis  50  at the first end  62  thereof and a second surface angle  80   b  relative to the axis  50  at the second end  66  thereof (see  FIG.  6   ). In the illustrated embodiment, the first surface angle  80   a  is greater than the second surface angle  80   b.  Furthermore, the inner surface  58  smoothly transitions from the first surface angle  80   a  to the second surface angle  80   b  while always decreasing in value. In the illustrated embodiment, the first surface angle  80   a  is between approximately 40 and 70 degrees while the second surface angle  80   b  is between approximately 0 and 15 degrees. In other embodiments, the first angle  80   a  is between approximately 50 and 65 degrees. In still other embodiments, the first angle  80   a  is approximately one of 51 degrees, 52 degrees, 59 degrees, 60 degrees, and 62 degrees. Other embodiments, the second angle  80   b  may be between approximately 0 and 5 degrees. In still other embodiments, the second angle  80   b  may be approximately 3 degrees. In still other embodiments, the first angle  80   a  and second angle  80   b  may vary depending on the diameter of the outlet  22 . 
     While the illustrated inner surface  58  provides a smooth, curved, convex shape, it is to be understood that alternative shapes may also be used. For example, an alternative embodiment of the throat portion having an alternative embodiment of the inner surface may include a frusto-conical portion and a cylindrical portion extending axially from the narrow end of the frusto-conical portion. In such embodiments, the frusto-conical portion may include a first constant surface angle that transitions to a second surface angle at the cylindrical portion. Such an inner surface does not include any concave portions (e.g., instances where the surface angle increases as it extends from the first end to the second end). 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the flange portion  46  of the base  18  extends radially outwardly from the first end  62  of the throat portion  42  to produce an outer edge  92 . The outer edge  92 , in turn, defines a top plane  96  (e.g., generally oriented normal to the axis  50  and positioned at the axial highest point of the base  18 ), and an outer diameter  100 . The flange portion  46  includes a first portion  104  extending radially inwardly from the outer edge  92  at a first surface angle  108  relative to the axis  50 , a second portion  112  extending radially inwardly from the first portion  104  at a second surface angle  116  relative to the axis  50 , and a third portion  120  extending radially inwardly from the second portion  112  at a third surface angle  124 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the first surface angle  108  is less than the second surface angle  116  (e.g., the first surface angle  108  is steeper than the second surface angle  116 ), and the second surface angle  116  is less than the third surface angle  124  (e.g., the second surface angle  116  is steeper than the third surface angle  124 ). 
     When installed, the top plane  96  of the flange portion  46  is generally positioned so that is aligned with the top surface of the sub-floor  212  positioned immediately adjacent thereto. As such, any roof membrane or paper  152  can transition from the sub-floor  212  to the base  18  without producing any high spots or bumps. Stated differently, the top surface of the sub-floor  212  is substantially aligned with the top plane  96 . When the support dome  250  is coupled to the base  18 , the support dome  250  is configured to capture the membrane  152  therebetween to forms a joint therebetween to secure the membrane  152  in place. In some embodiments, the resulting joint may also be waterproof. 
     The base  18  also includes a first plurality of threaded apertures  136  formed into the flange portion  46  and outside the channel  38 . During use, the threaded apertures  136  are configured to receive a threaded fastener  140  therein to couple the support dome  250  to the base  18 . Similarly, the base  18  includes a second plurality of threaded apertures  144  on the underside thereof for securing the base  18  to the sub-floor  212  or other building structure. 
     The base  18  also includes a cutting groove  148 . The cutting groove  148  is formed into the base  18  at a first radial distance from the axis  50 . During use, the cutting groove  148  is configured to receive and guide the tip of a knife or razor blade therein so the user can quickly and easily trim the roof paper  152  at the desired location. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting groove  148  includes a “step” having two adjacent surfaces against which the user&#39;s blade may be pressed (e.g., into the corner formed by the two surfaces). However, in alternative embodiments, the groove  148  may be enclosed on three sides (not shown). In still other embodiments, the cutting groove  148  may include other shapes and contours desirable to directing the user during the cutting process. While the illustrated groove  148  is annular in shape, in alternative embodiments, alternative shapes (e.g., polygonal, stepped, and the like) may also be present to produce the desired final cut dimensions. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting groove  148  is positioned radially inwardly of the dome  250  (described below). In some embodiments, the cutting groove  148  may be positioned at a location where the throat portion  42  meets the flange portion  46  at the radially inner barrier of the third portion  120  of the flange portion  46 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the outlet  22  of the channel  38  generally defines an outlet diameter  24  generally corresponding to the size of the pipes forming the downspout of the plumbing system. For example, an outlet  22  having a 2″ diameter substantially corresponds with a downspout formed from 2″ pipe, an outlet having a 3″ diameter substantially corresponds with a downspout formed from 3″ pipe, and the like. It is understood that the size of the drain support  200  may vary proportionally dependent upon the outlet diameter  24  of the outlet  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the support dome  250  of the combined drain support  200  is mounted to the flange portion  46  of the base  18  and provides a boss or mounting location  262  to which the pedestal  254  may be adjustably attached, as discussed below. More specifically, the support dome  250  includes a base ring  266 , the boss  262  axially offset vertically above the base ring  266 , and a plurality of ribs  270  extending between and coupled to both the base ring  266  and the boss  262 . During use, the support dome  250  is configured to position and provide structural support for the pedestal  254  by transmitting any forces applied to the pedestal  254  (e.g., via the floor tiles  208 ) into the base  18  via the ribs  270  where the force is ultimately borne by the sub-floor  212 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the base ring  266  is sized and shaped to correspond with the flange portion  46  of the base  18 . More specifically, the size and shape of the base ring  266  and the flange portion  46  are such that the ring  266  and base  18  are co-axially aligned when coupled together. In the illustrated embodiment, the base ring  266  is coupled to the base  18  via a plurality of fasteners  274 , however, in alternative embodiments different forms of attachment may be used. 
     The boss  262  of the support dome  250  is configured to provide an adjustable mounting location for the pedestal  254 . More specifically, the boss  262  is configured to allow the pedestal  254  to be vertically adjusted relative to the base  18  while remaining co-axial therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, the boss  262  includes a set of internal threads (not shown) that are sized to threadingly engage external threads  282  of the pedestal  254  (discussed below). However, in alternative embodiments the boss  262  may include other forms of adjustment such as, but not limited to, locking pins received in axially spaced apertures, and the like. Furthermore, while the illustrated boss  262  is intended to maintain the pedestal  254  in a co-axial positioned relative to the base  18 , it is understood that in alternative embodiments the boss  262  may also allow lateral (e.g., radial) adjustment in addition to vertical (e.g., axial) adjustment). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the support dome  250  includes six radial ribs  270  extending between the boss  262  and the ring  266  forming apertures  284  therebetween that are open to the channel  38 . During use, water or other fluids that collect on the sub-floor  212  outside the dome  250  flow through the apertures  284  and into the base  18  where the water is directed into the plumbing system via the channel  38 . While the illustrated ribs  270  produce a few, relatively large apertures  284 , it is understood that in alternative embodiments the layout of the ribs  270  may be changed so that different patterns are formed having different sized and positioned apertures  284 . In some embodiments, the ribs  270  may be positioned so that the resulting apertures  284  are small enough to act as a sort of coarse filter to stop debris and other items from entering the channel  38 . 
     The pedestal  254  of the combined drain support  200  is adjustably attached to the support dome  250  and provides a support surface  258  upon which one or more floor tiles  208  may be placed when in use. The pedestal  254  includes an elongated shaft  286  with a first end  290  and a second end  294  opposite the first end  290 , and a support disk  300  coupled to the first end  290  of the elongated shaft  286  and including the support surface  258  thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated shaft  286  is at least partially threaded with external threads  282  configured to threadingly engage with the internal threads of the boss  262 . More specifically, the second end  294  of the pedestal  254  is threaded into the boss  262  such that rotating the pedestal  254  relative to the support dome  250  causes the distance between the support surface  258  of the support disk  300  and the base  18  to change. This vertical adjustment permits the support surface  258  to be generally aligned with the support surfaces  304  of the adjacent paver supports  216 . 
     The support disk  300  of the pedestal  254  is coupled to the first end  290  of the elongated shaft  286  such that the support surface  258  faces opposite thereof in a vertically upwards direction. While the illustrated support disk  300  is shown as a separate element from the pedestal  254 , it is understood that in other embodiments both elements may be formed together. 
     During use, the support surface  258  of the support disk  300  is configured to contact the underside of one or more floor tiles  208  and support the weight of those tiles  208  thereon. The disk  300  may also include one or more ridges  308  and/or other alignment elements extending from or recessed therein to help laterally position and/or secure the tiles  208  with respect thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the support disk  300  is configured to be positioned proximate the corners of four adjacent floor tiles  208 . However, in other embodiments, the support disk  300  of the drain support  200   a  may be configured to be positioned along an edge of two adjacent tiles  208  (see  FIG.  3   ). In still other embodiments, the support disk  300  of the drain support  200   b  may be configured to may be configured to be placed at the interior of a respective tile  208  away from the perimeter thereof. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface  258  of the support disk  300  also includes a “+” shaped ridge  308  extending therefrom. The ridge  308  is configured to help align the floor tiles  208  positioned thereon by establishing an even gap therebetween via the thickness of the ridge  308  itself. While the illustrated ridge  308  is “+” shaped, or plus symbol shaped, to help properly positioned four floor tiles  208  spaced corner to corner, it is understood that in alternative embodiments different shaped ridges  308  may also be present. For example, a linear ridge (not shown) can be included when two floor tiles  208  are positioned edge to edge (see drain support  200   a  of  FIG.  3   ). In still other examples, no ridge  308  may be present when the drain support  200  is intended to be located near the center of a floor tile  208  (see drain support  200   b  of  FIG.  3   ). In still other embodiments, the disk  300  may include tabs, pins, recesses, or a combination thereof to interact with corresponding elements of the tiles  208 . 
     The pedestal  254  also includes a locking element  360  in operable communication with the pedestal  254  and adjustable between a first configuration, in which the pedestal  254  can be moved relative to the support dome  250  and a second configuration in which the pedestal  254  cannot be moved relative to the support dome  250 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking element  360  includes a locking nut threaded on the elongated shaft  286  and configured to lock the pedestal  254  in place when it has been adjusted into the desired position. While the illustrated embodiment includes a locking nut  360 , in alternative embodiments different forms of securing the pedestal in place, such as pins, tabs, and the like, may also be used. 
     To install the roof assembly  204 , a plurality of paver supports  216  are laid on the roof sub-floor  212  whereby the paver supports  216  are positioned at the nodes of a rectangular array (see  FIG.  3   ). As shown in  FIG.  3   , a combined drain support  200  is positioned at one of the nodes in place of a corresponding paver support  216  so that a combination of paver supports  216  and combined drain supports  200  complete the entire array. 
     With regards to the paver supports  216 , each support  216  is generally secured to the sub-floor  212  by a series of fasteners (not shown). In other embodiments, the supports  216  may be held in place by embedding a portion of the support  216  into the sub-floor  212  itself. Furthermore, the base  18  of the combined drain supports  200  is also secured to the sub-floor  212  by fasteners or by embedding the base  18  therein. When installing the base  18 , care is also taken to attach the outlet  22  of the base  18  to the drain system. 
     With the paver supports  216  and combined drain supports  200  in place, the user may then install the floor tiles  208  by placing the tiles  208  such that they are supported atop the array of paver supports  216  and combined drain supports  200 . In the illustrated embodiment, the array of supports  216 ,  200  is such that the tiles  208  are generally supported at the corners thereof. The installed tiles  208  are positioned atop the supports  216 ,  200  such that they produce a floor gap  220  between themselves and the sub-floor  212 . 
     During use, fluids such as rainwater and the like impinging upon the floor tiles  208  seeps through the gaps therebetween into the floor gap  220  to collect on the sub-floor  212 . The collected fluids then flow toward the combined drain supports  200 , flow through any apertures  284  of support dome  250 , and into the drain system via the channel  38  of the base  18 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates another embodiment of a drain support  2200 . The drain support  2200  of  FIG.  8    is substantially similar to the drain support  200  of  FIG.  4   . As such, only the differences between the drain support  2200  of  FIG.  8    and the drain support  200  of  FIG.  4    are described below. As illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the drain support  2200  includes a base  2018  defining a channel  2038  that is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the plumbing system of a building and a support dome  2250  that is couplable to the base  2018 . The support dome  2250  has a plurality of ribs  2270  that define a plurality of apertures  2284  between adjacent ribs  2270 . The support dome  2250  additionally has a mesh layer  2370  provided on an interior side of the support dome  2250 . As such, the mesh layer  2370  extends between the plurality of ribs  2270  across the plurality of apertures  2284  on the interior side of the support dome  2250 . The mesh layer  2370  is configured to allow fluid to flow through the plurality of apertures  2284  and through the mesh layer  2370  to enter the channel  2038 . The mesh layer  2370  is configured to inhibit debris from entering the channel  2038  through the plurality of apertures  2284 . For example, fluid build-up may gather debris such as twigs and rocks as the fluid flows towards the drain support  2200 . While the illustrated mesh layer  2370  is shown as a separate element that is attached to the dome  2250 , it is understood that in other embodiments the two elements may be formed together as a single unit. In still other embodiments, the mesh layer  2370  may be replaceable with other mesh layers  2370  to allow the user to adjust how coarse or fine debris must be to be captured. 
     Once the fluid reaches the drain support  2200 , the fluid may flow through the plurality of apertures  2284  and the mesh layer  2370  while the mesh layer  2370  catches the debris and inhibits said debris from entering the channel  2038 . In some embodiments, the drain support  2200  may include a perforated basket that couples to the support dome  2250  at an interior side of the support dome  2250  to inhibit debris from entering the channel  2038 . 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention. Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.