ROOF DRAIN

Abstract

A roof drain system. The roof drain system includes a roof system, the roof system including a structural deck and a water impermeable membrane in a spaced apart relationship and together defining a drain opening. The upper drain member can be joined to the water impermeable membrane, the upper member having a lower portion disposed in the drain opening. The lower drain member can be joined to the structural deck, the lower drain member being disposed in the drain opening and having an upper portion disposed inside the lower portion of the upper drain member in a spaced apart relationship to define a drain gap.

Claims

1. A roof drain system, comprising, a roof system, the roof system including a structural deck and a water impermeable membrane in a spaced apart relationship and together defining a drain opening; an upper drain member joined to the water impermeable membrane, the upper drain member having a lower portion disposed in the drain opening; and a lower drain member joined to the structural deck, the lower drain member being disposed in the drain opening and having an upper portion disposed inside the lower portion of the upper drain member in a spaced apart relationship to define a drain gap.

2. The roof drain system of claim 1, wherein the roof system further comprises an insulation layer adjacent to the water impermeable membrane, and wherein the upper drain member is joined to both the water impermeable membrane and the insulation layer.

3. The roof drain system of claim 1, wherein the upper drain member is joined to the water impermeable membrane by an upper flanged connection member.

4. The roof drain system of claim 1, wherein the lower drain member is joined to the structural deck by a lower flanged connection member.

5. The roof drain system of claim 1, wherein the roof system further comprises an insulation layer adjacent to the water impermeable membrane, and wherein the upper drain member is joined to both the water impermeable membrane and the insulation layer and wherein the insulation layer comprises a drain-facing surface, and the drain-facing surface is water permeable.

6. The roof drain system of claim 1, wherein a portion of both the upper drain member and the lower drain member is cylindrical in shape with a central longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axis of each being co-axial with a roof drain longitudinal axis.

7. The roof drain system of claim 1, wherein the roof system further comprises an insulation layer adjacent to the water impermeable membrane, and the drain gap permits unobstructed fluid flow from the insulation layer to the lower drain member.

8. The roof drain system of claim 1, further comprising a drainpipe, and wherein the lower drain member is joined to the drainpipe.

9. The roof drain system of claim 1, wherein the roof drain system includes a drain cap joined to the upper drain member.

10. A roof drain system, comprising, a roof system, the roof system including a structural deck and a water impermeable membrane in a spaced apart relationship and together defining a drain opening; an upper drain member joined to the water impermeable membrane, the upper drain member having a lower portion disposed in the drain opening; a lower drain member joined to the structural deck, the lower drain member being disposed in the drain opening and having an upper portion disposed inside the lower portion of the upper drain member in a spaced apart relationship to define a drain gap; a floating member disposed inside the lower drain portion, the floating member being freely moveable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A, and a signal member joined to the floating member.

11. The roof drain system of claim 10, wherein the roof system further comprises an insulation layer adjacent to the water impermeable membrane, and wherein the upper drain member is joined to both the water impermeable membrane and the insulation layer.

12. The roof drain system of claim 10, wherein the upper drain member is joined to the water impermeable membrane by an upper flanged connection member.

13. The roof drain system of claim 10, wherein the lower drain member is joined to the structural deck by a lower flanged connection member.

14. The roof drain system of claim 10, wherein the insulation layer comprises a drain-facing surface, and the drain-facing surface is water permeable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure can be best understood when read in conjunction with the drawings enclosed herewith:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art roof drain system;

[0006] FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of Section 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a roof drain system of the disclosure; and

[0008] FIG. 4 is partial cross-sectional view of a roof drain system of the disclosure.

[0009] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and not intended to be limiting. Moreover, individual features of the drawings and the disclosure will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the apparatuses, systems, methods, and processes disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] Reference throughout the specification to various embodiments, some embodiments, one embodiment, some example embodiments, one example embodiment, or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases in various embodiments, in some embodiments, in one embodiment, some example embodiments, one example embodiment, or in an embodiment in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0012] The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems, and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems, or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific FIG. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an example prior art roof drain 100 that illustrates the design flaw addressed by embodiments of the present disclosure. The roof drain 100 is installed on a flat roof system 110. The flat roof system 110 includes typical roof components, including a structural deck 112, a vapor barrier layer 114, an insulation layer 116, and an upper membrane 118, and a layer of chippings, or aggregate stone 120. In general, each of these components can be described as being layered, with components being in a spaced apart relationship. In an embodiment, a roof system can minimally have a structural deck and a water permeable membrane being in a spaced apart relationship. In an embodiment, the structural deck and a water permeable membrane being in a spaced apart relationship with an insulating layer being the separation medium. The roof system components define a drain opening in which an upper drain member 130 and a lower drain member 132 can be mounted to facilitate drainage through the roof system into a drainpipe 134.

[0014] In the roof drain system 100, water on the roof is never intended to penetrate the upper membrane 118, which can be joined in a sealing relationship between flanges of an upper flanged connection member 124 on an upper drain member 130. The upper drain member 130 is joined in a fluid tight manner to the lower drain member 120 which can be joined to the structural deck 112 and/or a lower drain member 122 by flanged connection member 122. A drainpipe 132 can be joined in sealing relationship to the lower drain member 122. Thus, water on the roof can be prevented from contacting the structural deck 112 by being conducted by gravity along the upper membrane 118, through drain cap 128, into the upper drain member, the lower drain member 120, and into the drainpipe 132.

[0015] As indicated in FIG. 2, in the prior art roof drain system 100, when working properly, water flows into the drain through the drain cap 128 and down the drainpipe 132, as indicated by arrows 138. However, if there is a rupture of the upper membrane, water can pass as indicated by dashed arrow 140 under the upper membrane 118. Water trapped under the upper membrane 118 can travel to other components and eventually be accumulated water 142 that can cause undesired upward bulging of the roof system 110. Further, as indicated at 144, in the event of a rupture of the vapor barrier layer 114, the accumulated water 142 can penetrate to the structural deck 112, causing structural damage.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown in comparative cross section an embodiment of a roof drain system 200 that avoids the problems of prior art roof drain system 100, and adds additional benefits. Like the roof drain system 100, the roof drain system 200 can be installed on a flat roof system 210. The roof drain system 200 can include typical roof components, including a structural deck 212, a vapor barrier layer 214, an insulation layer 216, and an upper membrane 218, and a layer of chippings, or aggregate stone 220. One or more of the components can be substantially water impermeable. The insulation layer can be ISO board, such as a closed cell foam board, such as polyisocyanurate, and can be from about 0.5 inch to 3.5 inches thick. In an embodiment, a flat roof system 210 can minimally have a structural deck and a water impermeable membrane being in a spaced apart relationship. In an embodiment, the structural deck and upper membrane as a water impermeable membrane are in a spaced apart relationship with an insulating layer being adjacent the deck member or the water impermeable membrane as the separation medium. The flat roof system 210 components define a drain opening in which an upper drain member 230 and a lower drain member 232 can be mounted to facilitate drainage to a drainpipe 234.

[0017] In the roof drain system 200, the upper drain member 230 can be joined in a water-impermeable attachment to the upper membrane 218. In an embodiment the upper drain member can be secured to the flanges of an upper flanged connection member 224 connected to one or more components of the flat roof system in a water-impermeable attachment, such as by bolting through the upper membrane 218 and to the insulation layer 216. The lower drain member 232 can be joined to the structural deck 212 or other roof components by, for example a lower flanged connection member 222. A drainpipe 234 can be joined in sealing relationship to the lower drain member 232 by a flexible coupling 254. In an embodiment of the roof drain system 200, the drain-facing surface 254 of the insulation layer 216 can be water permeable to permit water to pass through. In an embodiment, the drain-facing surface 254 of the insulation layer 216 can include a screen, porous film, or the like.

[0018] The upper drain member 230 and the lower drain member 232 are configured and joined to the roof drain system 200 such that the lower portion of the upper drain member 230 and the upper portion of the lower drain member 232 overlap, with the lower portion of the upper drain member 230 being disposed inside the upper portion of the lower drain member 232. In between the upper drain member 230 and the lower drain member 232 in the overlapping portion there is defined a drain gap 250 that can permit unobstructed water flow into the lower drain member. In an embodiment, there is no physical contact between the upper drain member 230 and the lower drain member 232. In an embodiment, there is partial physical contact between the upper drain member 230 and the lower drain member 232. In an embodiment the upper drain member 230 and the lower drain member 232 each have portions that are generally cylindrical with generally circular cross section, and the outside diameter of the upper drain member 230 is less than the inside diameter of the lower drain member 232 by a suitable amount to define the drain gap 250. When mounted such that the central longitudinal axes of both the upper drain member 230 and the lower drain member 232 their longitudinal axes are co-axial with roof drain longitudinal axis A. The drain gap 250 can have a gap width defined as the distance between the inside surface of the lower drain member 232 and the outside surface of the upper drain member 230 at the overlap. In an embodiment, the drain gap 250 has a minimum gap width of between 0.1 inch to about 0.25 inch.

[0019] Water runoff can enter the roof drain system 200 through the drain cap 228 and drain to the drainpipe 234 in similar manner as described for the roof drain system 100. However, unlike the roof drain system 100, in the roof drain system 200 water on the roof that penetrates the upper membrane 118, or otherwise enters an access path to other roof system components, such as the roof deck 212, rather than being trapped can flow as indicated by dashed arow 240 through the gap 250 between overlapping spaced apart portions of the upper drain member 230 and the lower drain member 232. As indicated by dashed arrow 240, if water penetrates the upper membrane 218, rather than being trapped in the roof system, the water can flow through porous surface 254 of the insulation layer 216, through the drain gap 250 and into the lower drain member 232, and ultimately to drainpipe 234.

[0020] The roof drain system 200 can also incorporate a signal to indicate a blocked drain. As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a floating member 252 can be disposed in the lower drain member 232. The floating member 252 can be include a buoyant material 258, such as a foamed rigid material that floats with rising water levels. The floating member 252 can be constrained by suitable slidable mating parts on the lower drain member such that the floating member is freely moveable in a direction generally parallel to axis A. Attached to the floating member 252 is a signal member 242, which can be a relatively stiff rod-shaped member attached to the floating member 252 and extending to and/or through the drain cap 228. As indicated in FIG. 4, upon floating up in the direction indicated by arrow 244, the signal member 242 is raised to be more visible to a viewer on the rooftop, indicating to an outside observer that the drain is blocked. The signal member can be made more visible by color, shape, and additional components such as a flag, lighting, or other visible sign of the signal member 242 being raised.

[0021] It is noted that terms like specifically, generally, preferably, commonly, and typically are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed disclosure or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed disclosure. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. It is also noted that terms like substantially and about are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation.

[0022] Having described the disclosure in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the disclosure.

[0023] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Disclosure are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present disclosure. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.

[0024] While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.