Shower Pan and Drain Systems

Abstract

Shower pan and drain systems are disclosed which accommodate all users. The system includes a removable trench cover which serves to both provide an easy ramp into the shower area, but also covers an internal channel system designed to direct water to a primary drain portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drain system for a shower, the system comprising:
 a shower pan having a substantially flat upper surface;   a primary drain formed into the substantially flat upper surface; and   a plurality of directional drain channels formed into the substantially flat upper surface for directing a fluid towards the primary drain.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a trench positioned towards a front threshold of the shower pan. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of trench relief channels formed into the substantially flat upper surface for directing a fluid towards the primary drain. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the trench has a depth that is less than a depth of the plurality of trench relief channels. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a trench cover for covering the trench. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the trench cover is removable and attached to the trench. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the trench cover is removable and attached to the trench via any combination of magnets and interlocking support braces. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a top surface of the trench cover is the same height as the substantially flat upper surface, thereby providing a smooth and flat surface for a motion assist device entering the shower area via the front threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shower pan is manufactured from an acrylic-based solid surface material that is non-porous and impervious to microbial and fungal growth. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of directional drain channels are sloped in a direction towards the primary drain, with a depth of a distal end of each directional drain channel being less than a depth of the primary drain. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the primary drain may be formed anywhere into the substantially flat upper surface, and wherein the plurality of directional drain channels may be formed into the substantially flat surface in any configuration that allows for the fluid to be directed towards the primary drain. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid is directed to within a minimal distance of a perimeter of the primary drain. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a filler material may be inserted underneath a bottom surface of the shower pan to fit into a particular shower area while maintaining a flow of the fluid towards a primary drain of the shower area. 
     
     
         14 . A shower pan, comprising:
 a substantially flat rectangular base having a primary drain and a plurality of directional drain channels radiating outwardly from the primary drain;   three vertical walls extending at perpendicular angles to a corresponding three sides of the rectangular base; and   a trench positioned at a fourth side of the rectangular base having no adjacent vertical walls;   wherein the trench extends the entire length of the fourth side, and   wherein one or more of the directional channels direct fluid away from the trench and towards the primary drain.   
     
     
         15 . The shower pan of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of directional drain channels has a depth that is graded to direct fluid from an outward end of the channel towards the primary drain. 
     
     
         16 . The shower pan of  claim 14 , wherein the trench is adapted to accommodate a cover. 
     
     
         17 . The shower pan of  claim 16 , wherein a top surface of the cover is of the same height as a threshold of the substantially flat rectangular base. 
     
     
         18 . The shower pan of  claim 16 , wherein the trench and the cover reversibly engage via one or more magnets. 
     
     
         19 . A drainage system, comprising:
 a substantially flat shower pan adapted to be placed in a shower area, the substantially flat shower pan having a primary drain;   a plurality of directional drain channels formed into the substantially flat shower pan, wherein each of the plurality of directional drain channels radiates outwardly from the primary drain; and   a trench positioned towards a front end of the substantially flat shower pan;   wherein one or more of the directional drain channels directs fluid away from the trench and towards the primary drain.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a vertical wall extending from a portion of the outer edge of the flat shower pan, the vertical wall including a lip configured to mate with an edge of the shower area.