Drain system for use with a tile floor

Abstract

A drain system comprises a frame configured for placement over a drain opening of a drain body. A tray is removably positionable on the frame. The tray includes a plurality of supports distributed and spaced around an underside of the tray. The plurality of supports extend downwardly from the underside of the tray. The plurality of supports can be configured to interface with at least part of the frame such that a plurality of fluid paths are defined between the tray and frame when the tray is positioned on the frame. At least some of the plurality of fluid paths can extend around and under the tray and are in fluid communication with the drain opening.

1 . A drain system comprising:
 a frame configured for placement over a drain opening of a drain body; and   a tray removably positionable on the frame, the tray comprising a plurality of supports distributed and spaced around an underside of the tray, the plurality of supports extending downwardly from the underside of the tray,   wherein the plurality of supports configured to interface with at least part of the frame such that a plurality of fluid paths are defined between the tray and the frame when the tray is positioned on the frame, at least some of the plurality of fluid paths extend around and under the tray and are in fluid communication with the drain opening.   
     
     
         2 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluid paths comprise a peripheral inlet defined around a periphery of the tray and below the underside of the tray. 
     
     
         3 . The drain system of  claim 2 , wherein an area of the peripheral inlet is at least as great as an area of the drain opening. 
     
     
         4 . The drain system of  claim 3 , wherein the area of the peripheral inlet is substantially the same as the area of the drain opening. 
     
     
         5 . The drain system of  claim 2 , wherein the peripheral inlet is defined at least in part between a wall portion of the frame and an outer wall of the tray. 
     
     
         6 . The drain system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the wall portion and the outer wall have a curved surface configured to improve fluid flow through the peripheral inlet. 
     
     
         7 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fluid paths are defined at least in part between the plurality of supports. 
     
     
         8 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supports extend radially outward from a wall portion of the tray. 
     
     
         9 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of supports includes a body having an upper surface sloping downwardly away from a middle of the tray. 
     
     
         10 . The drain system of  claim 7 , wherein the body includes a lower surface having a concave shape configured to interface with and fit on a base portion of the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the supports are configured to both support and locate the tray on the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the tray has a varying cross-sectional thickness that is thinner toward an outer portion of the tray and increases from the outer portion toward a middle of the tray. 
     
     
         13 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the tray defines a recess configured to receive and carry one or more tiles. 
     
     
         14 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein each fluid path of the plurality of fluid paths is defined by a surface of the frame, a surface of the tray, and surfaces of adjacently arranged supports of the plurality of supports. 
     
     
         15 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supports are configured to interface with a base portion defined on the tray. 
     
     
         16 . A drain system comprising:
 a drain body having a drain opening and being configured for installation in a tile floor;   a frame configured for placement over the drain opening in the tile floor; and   a tray removably positionable on the frame, the tray comprising a plurality of supports distributed and spaced around an underside of the tray, the plurality of supports extending at least downwardly from an underside of the tray,   wherein the plurality of supports are configured to interface with at least part of the frame such that a plurality of fluid paths are defined between the tray and the frame when the tray is positioned on the frame, the plurality of fluid paths being in fluid communication with the drain opening and the tile floor.   
     
     
         17 . The drain system of  claim 16 , wherein the tray defines a recess configured to receive and carry one or more tiles in the tile floor. 
     
     
         18 . The drain system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fluid paths comprise a peripheral inlet defined around a periphery of the tray and below an underside of the tray. 
     
     
         19 . The drain system of  claim 16 , wherein the tray has a varying cross-sectional thickness that is thinnest toward an outer edge of the tray and increases from an outer edge toward a middle of the tray. 
     
     
         20 . A drain system comprising:
 a frame configured for placement over a drain opening of a drain body in a tile floor; and   a tray removably positioned on the frame, the tray comprising a plurality of supports distributed and spaced around an underside of the tray, the plurality of supports extending downwardly from an underside of the tray and radially outward from the tray,   wherein the plurality of supports are configured to interface with at least part of the frame such that a plurality of fluid paths are defined between the tray and the frame when the tray is positioned on the frame, the plurality of fluid paths being in fluid communication with the drain opening and the tile floor.