Systems and methods for a modular drainage system

Abstract

A modular drainage system is disclosed. The system comprises a central channel body having a trough, an outlet within the trough, and a flanged portion defining an open end. The central channel body further includes a first side wall and a second side wall extending upwardly from the trough, and coupling elements on each side wall. An extension channel body, also having a trough and coupling elements, is operatively coupled to the central channel body via a snap and press fit, creating a contiguous flow surface between the upper channel surfaces. The system may include an adjustable footer for leveling and an end cap for closure. Additional joiner channel bodies and non-linear channel sections can be incorporated to expand or adapt the system layout. The modular configuration allows for easy assembly, customization, and connection to existing drainage conduits.

1 . A modular drainage system comprising:
 a central channel body comprising:
 a first trough; 
 an outlet in the first trough; 
 a flanged portion defining an open end of the first trough; 
 a first side wall and a second side wall each extending upwardly from the first trough; and 
 a first snap and press fit coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the central channel body proximate to the flanged portion; 
   an adjacent channel body comprising:
 a second trough; 
 a first side wall and a second side wall each extending upwardly from the second trough; and 
 a second snap and press fit coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the adjacent channel body that spans a substantial portion from a first end of the adjacent channel body to a second end of the adjacent channel body; 
   a footer removably attachable to at least one of the first snap and press fit coupling element and the second snap and press fit coupling element.   
     
     
         2 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1 , wherein the central channel body further comprises a step defined by a riser between the flanged portion and an upper channel surface of the trough. 
     
     
         3 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1 , wherein the central channel body further comprises a first inner channel width between the first side wall and the second side wall of the flanged portion that is greater than a second inner channel width between the first side wall and the second side wall of an upper channel surface of the trough. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a contiguous flow surface defined by an upper channel surface of the trough of the central channel body proximate to an upper channel surface of the second trough of the adjacent channel body. 
 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent channel body further comprising a closed end portion defining. 
     
     
         8 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent channel body comprises a flanged portion at an open end of the second trough. 
     
     
         9 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent channel body comprises the second coupling element on an outer facing surface of each of the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     
     
         10 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent channel body comprises a bend defining a non-linear shaped trough. 
     
     
         11 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1  further comprising adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the flanged portion of the central channel body adhering it to and an abutting the adjacent channel body in an assembled configuration. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The modular drainage system of  claim 1 , wherein the first snap and press fit coupling element and the second snap and press fit coupling element collectively define (i) a male component having an upper elongated ridge disposed above a lower elongated ridge and a groove disposed between the first elongated ridge and the second elongated ridge, and (ii) a female component having an upper groove disposed above a lower groove and an elongated ridge between the upper groove and the lower groove. 
     
     
         14 . A modular drainage system comprising:
 a central channel body comprising a first trough; an outlet in the first trough; a flanged portion defining an open end of the first trough; a first side wall and a second side wall each extending upwardly from the first trough; a first coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the central channel body proximate to the flanged portion of the central channel body;   an extension channel body comprising a second trough; a first side wall and a second side wall each extending upwardly from the second trough; and a second coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the extension channel body;   an end cap having a third trough with an open end, a terminating end wall, a first wall and a second wall extending upwardly from the third trough, and a third coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the end cap;   an assembled configuration comprising the first coupling element of the central channel body operatively coupled to the second coupling element of the extension channel body at a first end of the extension channel body, and the third coupling element of the end cap operatively coupled to the second coupling element of the extension channel body at a second end of the extension channel body;   wherein each of the first coupling element, the second coupling element, and the third coupling element is an elongated snap and press fit coupling element and comprises at least one ridge and at least one groove;   wherein the second coupling element of the extension channel body spans substantially all of the length of the extension channel body from the first end of the extension channel body to the second end of the extension channel body.   
     
     
         15 . The modular drainage system of  claim 14  further comprising an adjustable footer comprising a support beam; a first side wall and a second side wall extending upwardly from the support beam; a fourth coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the adjustable footer; a vertically adjustable side support; and a base pivotably coupled to the vertically adjustable side support. 
     
     
         16 . The modular drainage system of  claim 15  further comprising a joiner channel body comprising a fourth trough with open ends, a first side wall and a second side wall each extending upwardly from the fourth trough; a flanged portion at each open end of the fourth trough; and a fourth coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the joiner channel body at each flanged portion of the third trough, wherein the fourth coupling element is a snap and press fit coupling element that is elongated and comprises at least one ridge and at least one groove. 
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling a modular linear drainage system, comprising:
 coupling a first channel body to an adjacent channel body;
 wherein the first channel body comprises a first trough, a flanged portion defining an open end of the first trough, a first side wall and a second side wall each extending upwardly from the first trough, and a first snap and press fit coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the first channel body, wherein the first snap and press fit coupling element is proximate to the flanged portion of the first channel body; wherein the adjacent channel body comprises a second trough, a first side wall and a second side wall each extending upwardly from the second trough, and a second snap and press fit coupling element on each of the first side wall and the second side wall of the adjacent channel body; 
 wherein the first snap and press fit coupling element and the second snap and press fit coupling element collectively define (i) a male component having an upper elongated ridge disposed above a lower elongated ridge and a groove disposed between the first elongated ridge and the second elongated ridge, and (ii) a female component having an upper groove disposed above a lower groove and an elongated ridge between the upper groove and the lower groove; 
   wherein the first channel body is coupled to the adjacent channel body by applying a force to each of the first side wall and the second side wall of each of the first channel body and the adjacent channel body causing the first snap and press fit coupling element to mate with the second snap and press fit coupling element.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  comprising coupling at least one of the first channel body and the adjacent channel body to a shower drain conduit such that at least one of the first channel body further comprises an outlet in the first trough and the adjacent channel body comprises an outlet in the second trough. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  comprising, before coupling the first channel body and the adjacent channel body, applying an adhesive to at least one of the flanged portion of the first channel body and an end portion of the adjacent channel body. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)