Modular trench drain

Abstract

A modular trench drain system including a plurality of drain segments composed of a base and a pair of spaced apart side members attached to edges of the base. Adjacent bases are connected together by overlapping a stepped-down portion at the end of one base with an end of an adjoining base. Adjacent side members are connected together via interlocking structures at their ends. The system may be used with bases and side members of various dimensions to accommodate particular installation requirements.

1 . A modular trench drain comprising a plurality of drain segments, each said drain segment comprising: 
 a base; and    a pair of spaced apart side members configured to connect to said base, said side members together with said base defining a channel for fluid flow,    wherein one end of each said base includes a portion for connecting with an end of a base of an adjoining drain segment and one end of each of said side member connects with an end of a side member of said adjoining drain segment.    
   
   
       2 . The trench drain of  claim 1  wherein each said side member comprises a main wall and said base defines longitudinal slots for receiving said main walls.  
   
   
       3 . The trench drain of  claim 2  wherein said longitudinal slots are located at longitudinal edges of said base.  
   
   
       4 . The trench drain of  claim 3  wherein said main walls each include one side facing said channel and an opposing ribbed side having ribs, wherein ends of said ribs are received in notches defined in said longitudinal edges of said base.  
   
   
       5 . The trench drain of  claim 4  wherein said sides of said main walls facing said channel are smooth.  
   
   
       6 . The trench drain of  claim 1  wherein said base portion for connecting with an end of a base of an adjoining drain segment comprises a stepped portion that receives an end of said adjoining drain segment.  
   
   
       7 . The trench drain of  claim 1  wherein each said side member comprises an end wall having a tab, said tabs of said end walls of adjoining drain segments being engageable with each other to connect one end of each said end wall with an end wall of a side member of said adjoining drain segment.  
   
   
       8 . The trench drain of  claim 1  wherein a lower surface of said base comprises reinforcing ribs.  
   
   
       9 . The trench drain of  claim 1  wherein said base and said side members comprise a polymeric material.  
   
   
       10 . The trench drain of  claim 9  wherein said polymeric material comprises high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       11 . The trench drain of  claim 10  wherein said side members are adhered to said base by a process selected from the group consisting of vibratory fusion, mechanical joining, adhesive pinning and channel welding.  
   
   
       12 . The trench drain of  claim 1  wherein an upper surface of said base is curved.  
   
   
       13 . The trench drain of  claim 1  wherein an upper surface of said base is flat.  
   
   
       14 . The trench drain of  claim 1  further comprising a frame received by said side members, said frame being configured to receive a grate.  
   
   
       15 . The trench drain of  claim 14  wherein each said side member comprises an upper wall for receiving said frame.  
   
   
       16 . A trench drain segment comprising: 
 a base; and    a pair of spaced apart side members configured to connect to said base, said side members together with said base defining a channel for fluid flow,    wherein one end of said base includes a portion for connecting with an end of another base of an adjoining drain segment and one end of each of said side member being connectable with an end of another side member of an adjoining drain segment.    
   
   
       17 . The trench drain segment of  claim 16  wherein each said side member comprises a main wall and said base defines longitudinal slots for receiving said main walls.  
   
   
       18 . The trench drain segment of  claim 17  wherein said longitudinal slots are located at longitudinal edges of said base.  
   
   
       19 . The trench drain segment of  claim 17  wherein said main walls each include one side facing said channel and an opposing ribbed side having ribs, wherein ends of said ribs are received in notches defined in said longitudinal edges of said base.  
   
   
       20 . The trench drain segment of  claim 19  wherein said sides of said main walls facing said channel are smooth.  
   
   
       21 . The trench drain of  claim 16  wherein said base portion for connecting with an end of a base of an adjoining drain segment comprises a stepped portion for receiving an end of an adjoining drain segment.  
   
   
       22 . The trench drain of  claim 16  wherein each said side member comprises an end wall having a tab, said tabs of said end walls being engageable with an end wall of a side member of an adjoining drain segment.  
   
   
       23 . The trench drain of  claim 16  wherein a lower surface of said base comprises reinforcing ribs.  
   
   
       24 . The trench drain of  claim 16  wherein said base and said side members comprise a polymeric material.  
   
   
       25 . The trench drain of  claim 24  wherein said polymeric material comprises high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       26 . The trench drain of  claim 25  wherein said side members are adhered to said base by a process selected from the group consisting of vibratory fusion, mechanical joining, adhesive pinning and channel welding.  
   
   
       27 . The trench drain of  claim 16  wherein an upper surface of said base is curved.  
   
   
       28 . The trench drain of  claim 16  wherein an upper surface of said base is flat.  
   
   
       29 . A method of installing a trench drain comprising the steps of: 
 providing components of a modular trench drain comprising at least one base and a pair of spaced apart side members configured to connect to the base, the side members together with the base defining a channel for fluid flow;    selecting a base sized to accommodate a desired width of the trench drain;    selecting a pair of side members sized to accommodate a desired height of the trench drain; and    connecting each of the side members to the base.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  comprising: 
 selecting a plurality of bases sized to accommodate a desired width for the trench drain and selecting a plurality of pairs of side members sized to accommodate a desired height of the trench drain;    connecting each pair of side members to one of the bases;    connecting an end of one side member to an end of an adjoining side member; and    connecting an end of one base with an end of an adjoining base.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein said step of connecting the bases comprises overlapping end portions of adjoining bases.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein said step of connecting the side members comprises engaging tabs on the ends of the side members with each other.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the base and side members are made of a polymeric material.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the step of connecting the side members to the base comprises a process selected from the group consisting of vibratory fusion, mechanical joining, adhesive pinning and channel welding.