Roof drain

Abstract

A roof drain including a flange defining an opening having a central axis, and a throat extending axially from the flange to define a channel having an inner surface therethrough. Where the throat includes a first end generally corresponding with the flange, and a second end opposite the first end, and where the second end is configured to be coupled to a drain outlet. The inner surface of the channel includes a cross-sectional shape taken normal to the central axis, and where the cross-sectional shape continuously and smoothly decreases or remains the same from the first end to the second end.

1 ) A roof drain comprising:
 a flange defining an opening having a central axis; and   a throat extending axially from the flange to define a channel having an inner surface therethrough, wherein the throat includes a first end generally corresponding with the flange, and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the second end is configured to be coupled to a drain outlet, and   wherein the inner surface of the channel includes a cross-sectional shape taken normal to the central axis, and wherein the cross-sectional shape continuously and smoothly decreases or remains the same from the first end to the second end.   
     
     
         2 ) The roof drain of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface is circular in shape. 
     
     
         3 ) The roof drain of  claim 1 , further comprising a dome coupled to the flange and at least partially enclosing the first end of the throat. 
     
     
         4 ) The roof drain of  claim 1 , wherein the flange defines a plurality of threaded apertures therein. 
     
     
         5 ) The roof drain of  claim 1 , further comprising an annular groove formed into the flange or the throat at a first radial distance from the axis. 
     
     
         6 ) The roof drain of  claim 5 , wherein the groove is configured to receive and direct a cutting blade. 
     
     
         7 ) The roof drain of  claim 1 , wherein the flange defines a top plane, wherein the second end is sized for attachment to a 4 inch downspout, and wherein the roof drain is configured to flow between 225 and 400 GPM at 2 inches of head pressure above the top plane. 
     
     
         8 ) The roof drain of  claim 1 , wherein the flange defines a top plane, wherein the roof drain defines a maximum flow rate, and wherein the roof drain is configured to reach at least 90% maximum flow rate at 2 inches of head pressure above the top plane. 
     
     
         9 ) A roof drain comprising:
 a body defining a central axis and a channel having an inner surface, wherein the channel includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is configured to be coupled to a drain outlet; and   wherein the inner surface of the channel defines a cross-sectional shape taken parallel to the axis, and wherein the cross-sectional shape is at least partially convex.   
     
     
         10 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , wherein the cross-sectional shape is not concave over the entire axial length of the channel between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         11 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , wherein the majority of the cross-sectional shape is convex. 
     
     
         12 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , wherein the body defines a flange and a throat extending axially from the flange, and wherein the channel is defined by the throat. 
     
     
         13 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , wherein the channel defines a second cross-sectional shape taken normal to the axis, and wherein the second cross-sectional shape is circular. 
     
     
         14 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , further comprising a dome coupled to the body and configured to at least partially enclose the first end of the channel. 
     
     
         15 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , wherein the channel defines a frusto-conical datum surface generally defined as a frusto-conically shaped surface that is co-axial with the central axis and extends from the first end of the channel inner surface to the second end of the channel inner surface, and wherein the entire inner surface is positioned inside the frusto-conically shaped datum surface. 
     
     
         16 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , further comprising an annular groove formed into the body spaced at a first radial distance from the central axis, and wherein the first end of the channel is adjacent the annular groove. 
     
     
         17 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , wherein the body defines a top plane, wherein the second end is sized for attachment to a 4 inch downspout, and wherein the roof drain is configured to flow between 225 and 400 GPM at 2 inches of head pressure above the top plane. 
     
     
         18 ) The roof drain of  claim 9 , wherein the body defines a top plane, wherein the roof drain defines a maximum flow rate, and wherein the roof drain is configured to reach at least 90% maximum flow rate at 2 inches of head pressure above the top plane. 
     
     
         19 ) A roof drain comprising:
 a body defining a central axis and a channel having an inner surface, wherein the channel includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is configured to be coupled to a drain outlet; and   wherein the inner surface of the channel defines a first surface angle relative to the central axis at the first end and a second surface angle relative to the central axis at the second end, and wherein the first surface angle is greater than the second surface angle.   
     
     
         20 ) The roof drain of  claim 19 , wherein the first surface angle is between 40 and 70 degrees. 
     
     
         21 ) The roof drain of  claim 19 , wherein the second surface angle is between 0 and 5 degrees. 
     
     
         22 ) The roof drain of  claim 19 , wherein the inner surface further defines an intermediate surface angle at each location between the first surface angle and the second surface angle, and wherein the intermediate surface angle smoothly transitions from the first surface angle to the second surface angle while always decreasing or remaining constant in value. 
     
     
         23 ) The roof drain of  claim 19 , wherein the channel defines a cross-sectional shape taken normal to the central axis, and wherein the cross-sectional shape is circular. 
     
     
         24 ) The roof drain of  claim 19 , wherein the body defines a top plane, wherein the second end is sized for attachment to a 4 inch downspout, and wherein the roof drain is configured to flow between 225 and 400 GPM at 2 inches of head pressure above the top plane. 
     
     
         25 ) The roof drain of  claim 17 , wherein the body defines a top plane, wherein the roof drain defines a maximum flow rate, and wherein the roof drain is configured to reach at least 90% maximum flow rate at 2 inches of head pressure above the top plane. 
     
     
         26 ) A roof drain comprising:
 a body defining a central axis and a channel having an inner surface, wherein the channel includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is configured to be coupled to the drain outlet; and   wherein the inner surface of the channel defines a surface angle relative to the central axis at each location between the first end and the second end, and wherein the surface angle smoothly transitions from the first end to the second end while always decreasing or staying the same in value.   
     
     
         27 ) The roof drain of  claim 26 , wherein the body defines a flange and a throat extending axially from the flange portion, and wherein the channel is defined by the throat portion. 
     
     
         28 ) The roof drain of  claim 26 , wherein the body defines a top plane, wherein the second end is sized for attachment to a 4 inch downspout, and wherein the roof drain is configured to flow between 225 and 400 GPM at 2 inches of head pressure above the top plane. 
     
     
         29 ) The roof drain of  claim 26 , wherein the body defines a top plane, wherein the roof drain defines a maximum flow rate, and wherein the roof drain is configured to reach at least 90% maximum flow rate at 2 inches of head pressure above the top plane.