Modular and componential trench drain system

Claim 2

A forming system for in-ground formation of a trench drain for removing water from a surface comprising at least one channel, a plurality of grate frames, and a grating, said trench drain system being adapted to be supported in-ground by a supporting material formed beneath and outwardly about said drain system in conformity thereto, wherein: said channel being a generally V-shaped component comprising a bottom wall integrally connected to a pair of opposing, spaced apart sidewalls, thus forming a trough, and a top opening opposite said bottom wall, said bottom wall and sidewalls defining a fluid carrying space and said top opening defining a fluid entrance, said sidewalls terminating in generally horizontal flanges extending outwardly from and perpendicular to said sidewalls directly above and resting on said supporting material; each of said grate frames being a generally L-shaped component with a bottom horizontal surface of the L being secured to the upper surface of one said flange and a side vertical surface of the L disposed relatively outward from said fluid carrying space; and said grating being placed on and supported by the interior L surfaces of said grate frames for covering said top opening; said grating being formed of a relatively strong material sufficient for support of above-ground loads on the surface against entrance into the trough, said channel being formed of a relatively lightweight thin-walled resin material for ease of handling but generally incapable of load-bearing support of said grating and above-ground loads placed thereon, said outwardly-extending disposition of said flanges locating said grate frames above the supporting material for load bearing support of said grating and loads placed thereon substantially entirely by the supporting material.

Claim 3

The trench drain as described in claim 1 wherein said channels further comprise male and female connector ends on opposite ends of said channels, said male and female connector ends adapted to be interlocked end-to-end, male connector to female connector, to provide a continuous channel of a predetermined length.

Claim 4

The trench drain as described in claim 2 wherein said bottom wall has a slope relative to the upper edge of said sidewalls so as to provide a gravity feed sloping drainage run.

Claim 5

The trench drain as described in claim 2 wherein said sidewalls are of variable and various heights.

Claim 6

The trench drain as described in claim 2 further comprising a grating to be placed over said top opening and between said grate frames.

Claim 7

The trench drain system as described in claim 2 further comprising support anchors integrally attached to said grate frames.

Claim 8

A forming system for in-ground formation of a trench drain for removing water from a surface comprising at least one channel, a plurality of grate frames, a plurality of support anchors integrally attached to said grate frames and a grating, said trench drain system being adapted to be supported in-ground by a supporting material formed beneath and outwardly about said drain system in conformity thereto, wherein: said channel being a generally V-shaped component comprising a bottom wall integrally connected to a pair of opposing, spaced apart sidewalls, thus forming a trough and a top opening opposite said bottom wall, said bottom wall and sidewalls defining a fluid carrying space and said top opening defining a fluid entrance, said sidewalls terminating in generally horizontal flanges extending outwardly from and perpendicular to said sidewalls directly above and resting on said supporting material; each of said grate frames being a generally L-shaped component with a bottom horizontal surface of the L being secured to the upper surface of one said flange and the side vertical surface of the L disposed relatively outwardly from said fluid carrying space; said support anchors being integrally attached to the outside neutral surfaces of the L; said grating being placed on and support by the interior L surfaces of said grate frame for covering said top opening; and said grating being formed of a relatively strong material sufficient for support of above-ground loads on the surface against entrance into the trough, said channel being formed of a relatively lightweight thin-walled resin material for ease of handling but generally incapable of load-bearing support of said grating and above-ground loads placed thereon, said outwardly-extending disposition of said flanges locating said grate frames above the supporting material for load bearing support of said grating and loads placed thereon substantially entirely by the supporting material.

Claim 9

A forming system for in-ground formation of a trench drain for removing water from a surface comprising at least one channel, a plurality of grate frames, a plurality of support anchors integrally attached to said grate frames and a grating, said trench drain system being adapted to be supported in-ground by a supporting material formed beneath and outwardly about said drain system in conformity thereto, wherein: said channel being a generally V-shaped component comprising a bottom wall integrally connected to a pair of opposing, spaced apart sidewalls, thus forming a trough and a top opening opposite said bottom wall, said bottom wall and sidewalls defining a fluid carrying space and said top opening defining a fluid entrance, said sidewalls terminating in generally horizontal flanges extending outwardly from and perpendicular to said sidewalls directly above and resting on said supporting material; each of said grate frames being a generally L-shaped component with a bottom horizontal surface of the L being secured to the upper surface of one said flange and the side vertical surface of the L disposed relatively outwardly from said fluid carrying space; said support anchors being integrally attached to the outside neutral surfaces of the L; said grating being placed on and support by the interior L surfaces of said grate frame for covering said top opening; and said grating being formed of a relatively strong material sufficient for support of above-ground loads on the surface against entrance into the trough, said channel being formed of a relatively lightweight thin-walled resin material for ease of handling but generally incapable of load-bearing support of said grating and above-ground loads placed thereon, said outwardly-extending disposition of said flanges locating said grate frames above the supporting material for load bearing support of said grating and loads placed thereon substantially entirely by the supporting material.

Claim 10

The trench drain as described in claim 7 wherein said bottom wall has a slope providing a gravity fed channel for the disposal of water in the trough and said sidewalls being of various and variable heights such that as said trough slopes downward, said sidewalls remain parallel with and flush to the surface to be drained.

Claim 11

The trench drain as described in claim 8, further comprising a spacer bar located between anchors attached to opposite flanges of said channel, wherein said spacer bars provide for the proper spacing of said liquid opening.

Claim 12

The trench drain system as described in claim 3 or 8 wherein said channel is formed from a fibrous reinforced material impregnated with a thermoset resin.

Claim 13

The trench drain system as described in claim 10 wherein said fibrous reinforcing material is a fiberglass.

Claim 14

The trench drain system as described in claim 10 wherein said thermoset resin is selected from the group consisting of polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy and acrylic.

Claim 15

A forming system for in-ground formation of a trench drain for removing water from a surface comprising at least one channel, a plurality of frame members, and a plurality of support anchors integrally attached to said frame members, said trench drain system being adapted to be supported in-ground by a supporting material formed beneath and outwardly about said drain system in conformity thereto, wherein: said channel being a generally V-shaped component comprising a bottom wall integrally connected to a pair of opposing, spaced apart sidewalls, thus forming a trough, and a top opening opposite said bottom wall, said bottom wall and sidewalls defining a fluid carrying space and said top opening defining a fluid entrance, said sidewalls terminating in generally horizontal flanges extending outwardly from and perpendicular to said sidewalls directly above and resting on said supporting material; and each of said frame members having a horizontal portion secured to the upper surface of one said flange; said support anchors being integrally attached to said horizontal portion for securement to the supporting material; said channel being formed of a relatively lightweight thin-walled resin material for ease of handling but generally incapable of load-bearing support of above-ground loads placed on said frame members, said outwardly-extending disposition of said flanges locating said frame members above the supporting material for load bearing support of loads placed thereon substantially entirely by the supporting material.

Claim 16

A forming system for in-ground formation of a trench drain for removing water from a surface comprising at least one channel, a plurality of frame members, and a plurality of support anchors integrally attached to said frame members, said trench drain system being adapted to be supported in-ground by a supporting material formed beneath and outwardly about said drain system in conformity thereto, wherein: said channel being a generally V-shaped component comprising a bottom wall integrally connected to a pair of opposing, spaced apart sidewalls, thus forming a trough, and a top opening opposite said bottom wall, said bottom wall and sidewalls defining a fluid carrying space and said top opening defining a fluid entrance, said sidewalls terminating in generally horizontal flanges extending outwardly from and perpendicular to said sidewalls directly above and resting on said supporting material; and each of said frame members having a horizontal portion secured to the upper surface of one said flange; said support anchors being integrally attached to said horizontal portion for securement to the supporting material; said channel being formed of a relatively lightweight thin-walled resin material for ease of handling but generally incapable of load-bearing support of above-ground loads placed on said frame members, said outwardly-extending disposition of said flanges locating said frame members above the supporting material for load bearing support of loads placed thereon substantially entirely by the supporting material.