Patent Publication Number: US-8522499-B2

Title: Deck drainage system

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to decks, and, in particular, in one or more embodiments, the present disclosure relates to deck drainage systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Outdoor decks e.g., adjacent to residential buildings, such as houses, provide outdoor living space, storage space, etc. The space underneath some decks, e.g., that might be accessible from a walkout basement, may also provide outdoor living space and/or storage space. However, openings in some decks, such as openings between the deck boards, allow water, such as rainwater, snow melt, water from washing the deck, etc., to enter the space underneath these decks. In addition, the water entering the space underneath through the openings may be mixed with dirt from the deck surface. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a deck drainage system has a water-receiving structure locatable under the deck and a gutter connectable to the deck adjacent to an end of the water-receiving structure for receiving water from the water-receiving structure. The water receiving structure comprises a plurality of interconnected troughs. Each trough of the plurality of interconnected troughs includes first and second opposing sidewalls. The first sidewall of a respective trough comprises a tab and the second sidewall of the respective trough comprises a channel. The tab of the first sidewall of a first trough of the plurality of interconnected troughs extends into the channel of the second sidewall of a successively adjacent second trough of the plurality of interconnected troughs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a deck drainage system, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of region  300  in  FIG. 2 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of region  400  in  FIG. 2 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of region  600  in  FIG. 5 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of region  700  in  FIG. 5 , according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a deck drainage system  100  (e.g., that may be called a deck apron) for underneath a deck  101 .  FIG. 2  is a view of deck drainage system  100  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 3 and 4  are respectively enlarged views of regions  300  and  400  in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  is a view of deck drainage system  100  taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 6 and 7  are respectively enlarged views of regions  600  and  700  in  FIG. 5 . 
     Deck drainage system  100  may include a water-receiving structure  102  that is locatable under a deck, such as a deck  101 . Deck drainage system  100  may include a gutter  110  that has an open channel  410  positioned adjacent to a distal end  103   1  of the water-receiving structure  102 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The distal end  103   1  of the water-receiving structure  102  may be aligned with the open channel  410  so that the open channel  410  can receive water from water-receiving structure  102 . Gutter  110  may be connectable to the deck  101  adjacent to the distal end  103   1  of water-receiving structure  102 . For example, gutter  110  may be connected (e.g., attached) to a support beam  112  of deck  101  that may be substantially perpendicular to joists  114  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) of deck  101  and that may be substantially horizontal. 
     Deck drainage system  100  may include a plurality of water deflectors  115  (e.g., made from aluminum sheets, e.g., about 0.032 of an inch thick), where respective ones of the plurality of water deflectors  115  are locatable between successively adjacent joists  114  of the deck, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . Each of the plurality of water deflectors  115  may be connectable (e.g., attachable) to a surface  118  to which ends of joists  114  are connected, e.g., by screws, such as a screw  119  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Surface  118  may be adjacent to a proximal end  103   2  of the water-receiving structure, opposite distal end  103   1 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, surface  118  may be the surface of a ledger that may be affixed to a structure  120 , such as a residential building, e.g., a house. For some embodiments, water deflectors  115  may be attached directly to structure  120 . 
     For other embodiments, a distal end  116  of each of water deflectors  115  may be located vertically above and may be separated from an interior surface of water-receiving structure  102 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, the distal end  116  of each of water deflectors  115  may be located substantially flush with or vertically above ( FIG. 3 ) a bottom edge  122  of joists  114 . 
     Each deflector  115  may include portions  115   1  and  115   2  that from an angle a of greater than 90 degrees, e.g., about 125 degrees, with each other. This means that when portion  115   1  is attached to surface  118  and is substantially vertical, portion  115   2  is not horizontal, but angles below horizontal by an angle b, e.g., of about 35 degrees. For example, portion  115   2  angles downward from the surface  118  toward water receiving structure  102  so that distal end  116  is located vertically above a location on water-receiving structure  102  that is between the distal end  103   1  and the proximal end  103   2  of water-receiving structure  102 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     A sealant, such as silicone, may be applied to a seam  310  located between the upper end of portion  115   1  of each deflector  115  ( FIG. 3 ) and the surface  118 . Deflectors  115  direct any water running down a surface of the structure  120  to which deck  101  is attached into water receiving structure  102  and thus act to substantially prevent (e.g., prevent) this water from flowing behind deck drainage system  100  and into the region beneath deck drainage system  100 . 
     As best seen from  FIG. 5 , each deflector  115  may span the entire distance between the successively adjacent joists  114  between which the respective deflector  115  is located. A sealant, such as silicone, may be applied to seams  502  between the respective sides of each deflector  115  and the joists  114  respectively adjacent to respective sides of the respective deflector  115 . 
     Deck drainage system  100  may include a connector  125  (e.g., that may be called a starter channel), connectable to the joists  114  of deck  101 , e.g., adjacent to structure  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . For example, connector  125  may be butted against the structure  120  and secured to the bottom edges  122  of joists  114  by passing a screw through a portion  126  (e.g., that may be substantially horizontal) of the connector  125  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Connector  125  may have a channel  128  for receiving the proximal end  103   2  of water-receiving structure  102 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As such, connector  125  connects water-receiving structure  102  to the bottom of deck  101 . A height L of channel  128  may be greater than a height M of water-receiving structure  102  to provide a clearance gap  129  between the top of water-receiving structure  102  and the top of channel  128  so that water-receiving structure  102  fits loosely within channel  128 , allowing water-receiving structure  102  to angle downward from connector  125  toward gutter  110 . Connector  125  may be formed from aluminum sheet (e.g., about 0.032 of an inch thick). 
     Deck drainage system  100  may further include one or more spacers  130  (e.g., of wood), such as spacers  130   1  and  130   2  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), connectable (e.g., attachable) to the bottom edges  122  of joists  114 , e.g., by screws, and to portions of water-receiving structure  102 , e.g., by screws  709  ( FIG. 7 ), so that a spacer  130  is interposed between the bottom edges  122  of joists  114  and the portions of the water-receiving structure  102 . 
     A spacer  130  causes water-receiving structure  102  to angle downward from the proximal end  103   2  of the water-receiving structure  102  toward the gutter  110 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , so that the distal end  130   1  is at a lower elevation than the proximal end  103   2 . For example, spacer  130   1  (e.g., a standard “one-by-four” board) spaces the portion of water-receiving structure  102  attached thereto to be at a greater distance from the bottom edges  122  of joists  114 , and thus at a lower elevation, than proximal end  103   2 . Spacer  130   2  (e.g., a standard “two-by-four” board) is progressively thicker than spacer  130   1  and progressively spaces the portion of water-receiving structure  102  attached thereto to be at a greater distance from the bottom edges  122  of joists  114 , and thus at a lower elevation, than the portion of water-receiving structure attached to spacer  130   1 . A distance between spacers  130   1  and  130   2  may be about four feet for an embodiment. 
     For some embodiments, water receiving structure  102  may be an assembly of a plurality of troughs  710  (e.g., that may be referred to as channular-shaped “panels”), as shown in  FIG. 7 . Each trough  710  may include a bottom  712  interposed between and connected to opposing sidewalls  714  and  716 , e.g., that may be integral with bottom  712 . For other embodiments, one or more ribs  718 , e.g., substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to sidewalls  714  and  716 , may be integrally formed in bottom  712  and may be interposed between sidewalls  714  and  716 . 
     Sidewall  714  may include a portion  719  that may extend substantially vertically (e.g., vertically) from bottom  712  and may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to bottom  712 . Sidewall  714  may include a tab  720  that may extend from portion  719  in a direction away from sidewall  716  and that may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to portion  719 . 
     Sidewall  716  may include a channel  722  for receiving a tab  720  of a sidewall  714  of a successively adjacent trough  710 . As such, channel  722  configures sidewall  716  as a female sidewall and tab  720  configures sidewall  714  as a male sidewall, since tab  720  fits into channel  722 . Therefore, each trough  710  has an asymmetric cross-section having a male sidewall  714  and a female sidewall  716 . Note that only sidewall  716  has a channel  722  for some embodiments. Channel  722  extends in a direction toward sidewall  714  and over bottom  712  of its respective trough  712 . Receiving a tab  720  in a channel  722  interconnects (e.g., interlocks) successively adjacent troughs  710  together to form water receiving structure  102 . 
     Sidewall  716  may include a portion  728  that may extend substantially vertically (e.g., vertically) upward from bottom  712  and may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to bottom  712 . Sidewall  716  may include a portion  730  that may extend from portion  728  in a direction toward sidewall  714  over bottom  712  and that may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to portion  728 . Sidewall  716  may include a portion  732  that may extend substantially vertically upward (e.g., vertically upward) from portion  730  and that may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to portion  730 . Sidewall  716  may include a portion  734  that may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to portion  732  and that may extend substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to portion  730  and to bottom  712  in a direction away from sidewall  714  and past portion  728 . 
     Note that portion  732  interconnects portions  730  and  734 . Also note that the screws  709  that attach water receiving structure to a spacer  130  pass through the portions  734  of the sidewalls  716  of the respective troughs  710 , where the screws  709  passing through the portion  734  of the sidewall  716  of a given trough  710  are directly vertically aligned with a bottom  712  of a successively adjacent trough  710 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Portions  730 ,  732 , and  734  form boundaries of a channel  722  and thus define the channel  722  therein. A tab  736  of sidewall  716  may angle downwardly from portion  734  into the successively adjacent trough  710 . For example, the tab  736  of sidewall  716  may angle downwardly from portion  734 , e.g., tab  736  may angle downwardly from the horizontal, in front of a portion of an opening to channel  722 . 
     When tab  720  of a sidewall  714  of a successively adjacent trough  710  is located within a channel  722 , portion  734  extends past the sidewall  714  of the successively adjacent trough  710  and over a portion of the bottom  712  of the successively adjacent trough  710 , and tab  736  angles downwardly from the horizontal toward the bottom  712  of the successively adjacent trough  710 . 
     For portions of the successively adjacent troughs  710  that are not aligned with a spacer  130 , e.g., that are between spacers  130   1  and  130   2 , the portion  734  that extends past the sidewall  714  of one of the successively adjacent troughs  710  and the angling tab  736  act to direct water into that successively adjacent trough  710 , thereby substantially preventing (e.g., preventing) the water from flowing between the successively adjacent troughs  710  and into region below deck drainage system  100 . Note that each of the troughs  710  may be formed from aluminum sheets, e.g., about 0.032 of an inch thick. 
     Deck drainage system  100  may include opposing end caps  500 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  6 . End caps  500  may be mirror images of each other, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     One of end caps  500  is connectable (e.g., attachable) to a joist  514   1  of deck  101  that forms a side  140   1  of deck  101 , and the other of end caps  500  is connectable (e.g., attachable) to a joist  514   2  of deck  101  that forms an opposite side  140   2  of deck  101 . End caps  500  may each be attached to an interior surface of a respective joist  514  using screws, such as a screw  505 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     End caps  500  may each include an open channel  510 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The end caps  500  each extend under a bottom of water-receiving structure  102  so that opposing sides  530  of water-receiving structure  102  respectively align with the open channels  510  of end caps  500 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . For example, a portion  540 , e.g., that may be substantially horizontal (e.g., horizontal), of each end cap  500  that is adjacent to an opening to the channel  510  of the respective end cap  500  may form a ledge that engages the bottom of water-receiving structure  102  for supporting water-receiving structure  102 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     Note that the last trough  710  adjacent to an end cap  500  (e.g., the end cap  500  at the right in  FIG. 5 ) may not be a complete trough  710 . Instead, the last trough  710  may be cut to fit between the previous trough  710  and the respective end cap  500 . A sidewall  532 , e.g., corresponding to a side  530  of water-receiving structure  102 , may be formed by bending a portion of the bottom  712  of the last trough  710  substantially vertically upward (e.g., vertically upward), e.g., so as to be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to the remainder of the bottom  712  of the last trough  710 . 
     End caps  500  may each angle downwardly (e.g., from the horizontal) in a direction from the structure  120  (e.g., from adjacent to the surface  118  to which deflectors  115  attach) toward gutter  110 . That is, the end caps  500  may each angle downwardly relative to a respective side  140  of deck  101 . Note that connector  125  may extend from one of the end caps  500  to the other of end caps  500 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Gutter  110  may also extend from one of the end caps  500  to the other of end caps  500 . 
     For some embodiments, the end caps  500  may incline downwardly at about the same rate as water-receiving structure  102 . That is, the end caps  500  and water-receiving structure  102  may angle downward from horizontal by about the same angle. 
     For example, each end cap  500  may be positioned so that its bottom surface  630  is a distance D below a respective spacer  130 , e.g., as shown in  FIG. 6  for spacer  130   1 . Since spacer  130   2  is thicker than spacer  130   1 , positioning an end cap  500  so that its bottom surface  630  is distance D below spacers  130   1  and  130   2  causes that end cap  500  to be inclined and to angle downward from spacer  130   1  toward spacer  130   2 . 
     A sealant, such as silicone, may be applied to a seam  610  ( FIG. 6 ) located between the upper end of each end cap  500  and the interior surface of the respective joist  514  to which the respective end cap  500  is attached. Each end cap  500  may be formed from aluminum sheet (e.g., about 0.032 of an inch thick). 
     An end of the channel  510  of each end cap  500  may align with the opening to the open channel  410  in gutter  110 . The channel  510  of each end cap  500  may receive water from the opposing sides  530  of water-receiving structure  102  and direct the water to gutter  110 . 
     Deck drainage system  100  may include a deflector  250  (e.g., that may be called a drip edge) connectable (e.g., attachable) to the deck adjacent to gutter  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . For example, deflector  250  may be attached to support beam  112  by screws, such as screw  450 , that pass through a portion  252  ( FIG. 4 ) of deflector  250 . Deflector  250  may extend from one of the end caps  500  to the other of end caps  500 . 
     When deflector  250  is attached to support beam  112 , portion  252  may be substantially vertical (e.g., vertical). Deflector  250  may have a portion  254  that may extend into open channel  410  of gutter  110 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . That is, portion  254  may angle downward from portion  252  (e.g., from horizontal) and thus support beam  112  into open channel  410 . 
     For some embodiments, portions  252  and  254  of deflector  250  may form an angle c with each other that may be greater than 90, e.g., about 135 degrees, so that portion  254  may angle downward from horizontal when portion  252  is attached to support beam  112 . For example, portion  254  may angle downward from horizontal by about 45 degrees when portion  252  is attached to support beam  112 . 
     Deflector  250  acts to substantially prevent (e.g. prevent) water that is flowing from water-receiving structure  102  into gutter  110  from flowing past the opening to open channel  410  in gutter  110 . For example, portion  254  directs the water into open channel  410 . Deflector  250  may be formed from aluminum sheet (e.g., about 0.032 of an inch thick). 
     Deck drainage system  100  may include a cover  260  (e.g., that may be called a pest blocker) that may be connected (e.g., attached) to gutter  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . For example, cover  260  may be attached to gutter  110  adjacent to the opening to the open channel  410 . 
     Cover  260  may extend from where it is attached to gutter  110  to a bottom of water-receiving structure  102  so as to contact the bottom of the water-receiving structure  102 . Cover  260  covers an opening between gutter  110  and the bottom of the water-receiving structure  102  for substantially preventing (e.g., preventing) animals (e.g., mice, birds, etc.) access to gutter  110  and/or access to the interior of deck drainage system  100 . 
     Cover  260  may be formed from aluminum sheet (e.g., about 0.032 of an inch thick). Cover  260  may extend from one of the end caps  500  to the other of end caps  500 . 
     Cover  260  may include portions  262  and  264  that form an angle d with each other that may be about 75 degrees. Portion  262  is attached to gutter  110  adjacent to the opening to the open channel  410  and may be substantially vertical (e.g., vertical) when attached to gutter  110 . 
     For some embodiments, angle d is such that when portion  262  is substantially vertical (e.g., vertical), portion  264  is substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) with the bottom of the water-receiving structure  102 . That is, portion  262  and water-receiving structure  102  may incline downward by substantially the same (e.g., the same) angle from horizontal. For example, when angle d is about 75 degrees and portion  262  is substantially vertical (e.g., vertical), portion  264  may angle downward from horizontal by about 15 degrees. 
     A conduit  170 , such as a downspout, may be connected (e.g., attached) to a support post  175  of deck  101  and to gutter  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , so that a flow passage  180  within conduit  170  is fluidly coupled to the open channel  410  of gutter  110 . 
     In some embodiments, an example method of forming a drainage system, such as drainage system  100 , under a deck, such as deck  101 , includes forming a water-receiving structure, such as water-receiving structure  102 , under the deck and connecting a gutter, such as gutter  110 , to the deck, such as to support beam  112 , adjacent to an end, such as distal end  103   1 , of the water-receiving structure. Forming the water-receiving structure under the deck may include interconnecting a plurality troughs, such as troughs  710 , of the water-receiving structure by receiving a tab, such as tab  720 , of a first sidewall, such as sidewall  714 , of a first trough of the plurality troughs in a channel, such as channel  722 , of a second sidewall, such as sidewall  716 , of a successively adjacent second trough of the plurality of troughs. 
     The end of the of the water-receiving structure may be a first end of the water-receiving structure, and the method may further include connecting a plurality of water deflectors, such as water deflectors  115 , to a surface, such as surface  118 , to which ends of joists of the deck, such as joists  114  and joists  514 , are connected and that is adjacent to a second end, such as proximal end  103   2 , of the water-receiving structure opposite the first end so that respective ones of the plurality of water deflectors are respectively located between successively adjacent joists of the deck, where each water deflector of the plurality of water deflectors angles downwardly away from the surface toward the water-receiving structure. For some embodiments, the water deflectors may be connected to the surface before forming the water-receiving structure and before connecting the gutter. 
     The method may further include connecting a connector, such as connector  125 , to bottom edges of the joists and receiving the second end of the water-receiving structure into a channel, such as channel  128 , of the connector, where a clearance gap, such as clearance gap  129 , is located between a top of the channel and a top of the water-receiving structure. For some embodiments, connecting the connector to the bottom edges of the joists may occur after connecting the water deflectors and before forming the water-receiving structure and before connecting the gutter. 
     The method may further include interposing a spacer, such as spacer  130   1  and/or spacer  130   2 , between the bottom edges of joists and a portion of the second sidewall of the successively adjacent second trough that forms a portion of a boundary of the channel of the second sidewall, and attaching the portion of the second sidewall of the successively adjacent second trough to the spacer, e.g., using a screw  709 , where the spacer causes the water-receiving structure to incline downward toward the gutter. For some embodiments, the spacers may be connected to the joists after connecting the connector to the joists and before forming the water-receiving structure and before connecting the gutter. 
     The method may further include respectively connecting first and second caps, such as end caps  500 , to the joists, such as joists  514   1  and  514   2 , that respectively form opposing sides, such as opposing sides  140   1  and  140   2 , of the deck, where the first and second caps each extend under a bottom of the water-receiving structure so that opposing sides, such as sides  530 , of the water-receiving structure respectively align with open channels, such as open channels  510 , of the first and second caps, where the first and second caps incline downward toward the gutter. For some embodiments, the first cap, such as the end cap  500  at the left of  FIG. 5 , may be connected to a respective joist after connecting the spacers to the joists and before forming the water-receiving structure and before connecting the gutter. For other embodiments, the water-receiving structure may be formed after connecting the first cap to its respective joist and before connecting the gutter. The second cap, e.g., the end cap  500  at the right in  FIG. 5 , may then be connected to its respective joist after forming the water-receiving structure and before connecting the gutter. 
     The method may further include connecting another deflector, such as deflector  250 , to the deck, such as to support beam  112 , adjacent to the gutter, where the other deflector has a portion, such as portion  254 , that extends into the gutter. For some embodiments, the other deflector may be connected to the deck after connecting the second cap to its respective joist and before connecting the gutter. For other embodiments, the gutter may then be connected to the deck after connecting the second deflector to the deck. 
     For one embodiment, the method may include, connecting a conduit, such as conduit  170 , to the gutter and to the deck, such as to support post  175 , after the gutter is connected to the deck. 
     The method may further include connecting a cover, such as cover  260 , to the gutter so that the cover extends from the gutter into contact with a bottom of the water-receiving structure so that the cover covers an opening between the gutter and the bottom of the water-receiving structure. For some embodiments, the cover may be connected to the gutter after connecting the conduit to the gutter. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it is manifestly intended that these embodiments not be taken in a limiting sense.