Device for flushing decks in an enclosed area

Abstract

This device is presented as a bulkhead doorway attached to a wall structure, such as a sunroom or an enclosed pool; this device connects the interior space to the outside; and with this device a user can completely clean, rinse and clear the floor surface of the enclosure.

Claims

1. A doorway device is an assembly of components located between the inside space and the outside space of an enclosed area, and located at the bottom of the walls of the enclosed area, having installation details that are minimally destructive for installation and robustly secured; wherein the assembly is open on both ends and hollow to accommodate flow.

2. The doorway of claim 1 wherein the assembly of components replaces cut and removed sections of the enclosed area walls and includes a base to replace a removed section of a wall base rail, internal and external clamping details to replace any necessarily removed section of wall screen, a doorway allowing material and liquid to flow one way directed out of the enclosure; and attachment details such as fasteners and interference fits to secure the components to the remaining enclosed area wall.

3. The doorway of claim 1 wherein the assembly of components is installed over an enclosed area wall existing baserail, and replaces a removed section of the wall screening; the assembly including a baserail with ramping details and vertical sides along the ramp to channel a flow of water and debris from inside the enclosure, up and over the baserail, and out through a one way door; and having internal and external clamping details to replace any necessarily removed section of the wall screen.

4. The doorway of claim 1 wherein the assembly of components includes a rotating blade mechanism as the doorway.

5. The doorway of claim 1 wherein the assembly of components includes a ramped housing to route the flow of water and debris from inside to outside of the enclosed space, having at least one flexible internal vane, the vane being attached to the inside ceiling of the housing to allow the one way flow from inside to outside, and having details or a biased mounting to restrict back flow.

6. The doorway of claim 1 wherein the assembly of components also comprises both fixed components and a removable catch pan and handle, with attachment details to secure the removable components to the fixed components to define a portable unit with at least one docking station.

7. The doorway of claim 1 wherein the installation details have channels to receive loose screen edges and an appropriate length of screen spline that mates with and secures loose screen edges around the components of the doorway assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a nonlimiting example of a deck wash doorway.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a nonlimiting example of a deck wash doorway.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a nonlimiting example of a ramped deck wash doorway.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a nonlimiting example of a rotating blade deck wash doorway.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a nonlimiting example of a multiple vaned back flow preventing deck wash doorway.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a nonlimiting example of a portable catch pan deck wash doorway.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a nonlimiting example of a deck wash doorway. A 110 angled interior bracket, a 120 exterior clamping plate (hidden behind interior bracket frame), two 130 “angle iron” frame clamps, and a 140 pivoting door. A representative location of the existing structural wall frame or screen is shown at 160, clamped between 110 and 120. The 110 bracket is installed by cutting and removing a section of the 170 structural wall frame, along its lower rail. Dimensions shown are typical, but understood to be variable based on the dimensions of the structural wall frame.

[0030] A snap fit, or interference fit means of securing is also contemplated in these embodiments.

[0031] The 110 interior bracket is attached to the 120 exterior clamping plate using at least two 125 fasteners, shown typical in eleven locations. The 110 interior bracket is secured to the two 130 angle iron frame clamps and the 170 lower rail using 245 fasteners in at least two locations. All components and fasteners are made of similar, compatible structural materials. Exemplary materials include aluminum, plastic, steel, stainless.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a nonlimiting example of a deck wash doorway is comprised of four main components. A 210 angled interior bracket, a 220 exterior clamping plate, two 230 “angle iron” frame clamps, and a 240 pivoting door. A representative location of the existing structural wall frame or screen is shown at 250, clamped between 210 and 220. The 210 bracket is installed by cutting and removing a section of the structural wall frame, along its lower rail. Dimensions shown are typical, but understood to be variable based on the dimensions of the structural wall frame.

[0033] A snap fit, or interference fit means of securing is also contemplated in these embodiments The 210 interior bracket (having 215 integrated upper portion) is attached to the 220 exterior clamping plate using 225 fastener, typical in at least four locations. The 210 interior bracket is secured to the two 230 angle iron frame clamps using 245 fasteners in at least two locations. All components and fasteners are made of similar, compatible structural materials. Exemplary materials include aluminum, plastic, steel, stainless.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a nonlimiting example of a ramped deck wash doorway installed to an exterior wall of a screened enclosure. 310 demonstrates the doorway ramp structure. The housing is shown with a hollow path that is open to the outside and inside, having 370 air, water and debris flow directions from inside, up the ramp and to the outside (arrows shown in 3 places); the arrow labels indicate the direction of airflow. Two 315 side plates attach to the 310 ramp assembly in 2 places. Here, one 315 side plate is shown for clarity. The 315 side plates are attached at either side of the 310 ramp to contain a flow of debris and water within a horizontal space.

[0035] The 310 ramp sits on and adjacent to the 305 base rail of the wall of the enclosed structure. 310 and 305 are secured together using at least one vertical fastener, not shown. This attachment strategy is intended to avoid cutting the wall frame base rail.

[0036] The ramp is secured by 320 threaded holes and fasteners to the 330 exterior screen frame plate, An opening at 350 in the screen must be cut, and a self closing door is installed (not shown for clarity). A snap fit, or interference fit means of securing is also contemplated in these embodiments. The original loose edge of the screen is secured at the 305 baserail in a 370 channel using typical screen spline installation hardware. A similar channel is present in the 330 exterior screen plate around the 350 opening to secure the new screen edges.

[0037] The 370 channel is shown in FIG. 3 but is applicable to all embodiments as a means to secure a screen edge.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a nonlimiting example a rotating-blade deck-wash doorway assembly. The doorway assembly is installed to an enclosure wall similar to other embodiments. In 400 demonstration, the doorway assembly is installed over the base rail. In addition, the screen of the enclosure wall is cut to allow an opening that is framed by the doorway and blocked by the 410 rotating blade. 405 demonstrates two arrows showing the direction of the flow of water and debris from inside of an enclosed structure to the outside, through the deck wash doorway assembly.

[0039] The 410 rotating blade is made of durable materials that are lightweight such as plastic or aluminum. The 410 blade is secured to the 420 inner faceplate, the 425 exterior faceplate having the 450 retension detail, and a channel in the 430 base ramp. At 440, the 430 base ramp fits over a lower rail of the enclosure wall. 460 demonstrates fastening holes and an attachment means in a nonlimiting arrangement of bolts, nuts and/or snap fit attachments in at least (2) locations. 460 attachments secure the inner plate to the outer plate and capture the edges of an opening that is cut into the screen of an enclosed space.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a nonlimiting example of a multiple-vaned, backflow-preventing deck wash doorway. 510 demonstrates the deck wash doorway housing. The housing is shown with a hollow path that is open to the outside and inside, having 570 air flow directions from inside, up the ramp and outside; the arrow labels indicate airflow. Debris travels into the housing from the inside and out to a yard, sidewalk or other exterior environment. The 510 housing is secured to the 505 base rail of the enclosure wall. The 510 housing is attached to a 530 exterior mounting plate, clamping and securing the 520 enclosure screen, while requiring a small 540 rectangular cut in the 520 screen. The 530 frame secures the 510 ramp outlet opening to the 540 frame opening using fasteners at multiple locations such as 550. At 340 a one way door can be installed. A snap fit, or interference fit means of securing is also contemplated in these embodiments.

[0041] Inside the 510 housing are at least one 530 flexible vane structure. The vanes are attached along their top edges to the ceiling of the 510 housing. The lower edges of the vanes move freely, but are motion limited to restrict backflow of water, debris, bugs, etc. from the outside to the inside of the enclosed structure walls.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a nonlimiting example of a portable catch pan deck wash doorway. This portable assembly is used with at least one “docking station”. 610 demonstrates a handle and shaft that are attached to a doorway housing or ramp assembly as shown in other figures, such an assembly is also known as a “docking station”. The 620 catch pan removably attaches to at least one baserail and deck wash doorway exterior plate using at least one interference fit detail and mating detail. For example, a peg and mating hole. The handle and shaft are used to remove the catch pan, and then return it to at least one baserail attachment point. The catch pan is designed for use with a broom, hose or pressure washer and can have a perforated rear doorway to capture debris while allowing water to flow through. When the catch pan is secured to the wall at the opening, the pressure washer, hose, or other forcing means will blow the debris to the outside of the enclosure through the doorway. The direction of flow is demonstrated with the “out” arrow in the figure.