Flooring element drain path device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device 101 configured to provide a drain path for water away from the top surface of a flooring element such as a tile. The device has a substantially planar main body 110 and a plurality of fingers 120 extending from the main body in an orthogonal direction. When the device is mounted adjacent to the flooring element in use with the main body substantially parallel to the side edge of the flooring element, the fingers 120 extend parallel to and contact the top surface of the flooring element such that a drain path is provided from the top surface of the flooring element, via the fingers, to the main body. In one embodiment, an insert 100 for mounting between two flooring elements is formed from two devices 101 connected by a resilient hinge 102 at their bases. A drainage aperture 103 is provided at the base. Retaining projections 130 may be provided which extend out of the plane of the main body and which are configured to retain the insert in the mounted position between two flooring elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for mounting adjacent to a flooring element, the flooring element having a top surface and a side edge generally perpendicular to the top surface, the device being configured to provide a drain path for water away from the top surface of the flooring element and comprising:
 a substantially planar main body, and   at least one finger extending from the main body in an orthogonal direction,   wherein, when the device is mounted adjacent to the flooring element in use with the main body substantially parallel to the side edge of the flooring element, the finger is configured to extend parallel to and contact the top surface of the flooring element such that a drain path is provided from the top surface of the flooring element, via the finger, to the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of fingers extending from the main body in an orthogonal direction. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of fingers extends in an orthogonal direction to the same side of the main body. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , comprising a first group of at least one finger and a second group of at least one finger, and wherein the at least one finger of the first group extends in an orthogonal direction to a first side of the main body and the at least one finger of the second group extends in an orthogonal direction to a second side of the main body, opposite the first side. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second groups each comprise a plurality of fingers, and the plurality of fingers within each group extend to the same side of the main body. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the finger is wedge-shaped, terminating in a point at the distal end from the main body. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the finger includes upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being configured to contact the top surface of the flooring element in use. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the upper surface of the finger is angled upwards relative to the upper edge of the main body and wherein the lower surface of the finger is angled upwards relative to the upper edge of the main body. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body includes at least one finger extension extending parallel to or in the plane of the main body, and wherein the at least one finger extends from the finger extension. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein a gap is provided between adjacent extensions formed by a V-shaped or U-shaped notch in the main body. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a retaining projection extending out of the plane of the main body which is configured to retain the device in the mounted position. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the retaining projection extends at an angle relative to the main body of between about 1-20 or 1-10 degrees, or about 5-10 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the retaining projection comprises a longitudinally-running projection which extends orthogonally from one side of the main body. 
     
     
         14 . An insert for mounting between at least two flooring elements, comprising two or more devices in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The insert of  claim 14 , wherein the two or more devices are resiliently connected at their bases. 
     
     
         16 . The insert of  claim 14 , wherein the devices are partially connected at their bases to form a drainage aperture where the connection is absent. 
     
     
         17 . The insert of  claim 14 , comprising two devices. 
     
     
         18 . The insert of  claim 17 , wherein the main bodies are hinged at the base to form a V-shape. 
     
     
         19 . The insert of  claim 14  comprising a plurality of devices arranged in a cross configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A flooring system comprising at least one flooring element and the device of  claim 1 .