The present invention relates to a structural element in a building comprising a building section and a footing channel adapted to minimise or even prevent moisture ingress into buildings and building parts.

Background of the invention

Traditionally, buildings are constructed so that approximately 150 mm of the footing is above terrain to minimise or even prevent the ingress of moisture through the outer walls by keeping the upper part of the footing dry and to avoid surface water is flowing into the buildings during rainfall.

However, in order to ensure handicap-friendly buildings into which handicapped may enter unhindered, a ramp is often used, as entrance doors with a threshold in same level as the surrounding terrain will increase the risk of moisture ingress to the building, as the transition from the footing to the outer wall is not moisture proof, and as the outer wall may further comprise a moisture absorbent material. Furthermore, entrance doors with a threshold in same level as the surrounding terrain will increase the risk surface water flowing through the doors and into the buildings.

A moat can be arranged around the building. Surface water may flow to the moat where it can soak into the ground via a perimeter drain. The moat may be covered by a bridge like construction at the doors.

Description of the invention

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide an improved structural element in a building comprising a building section and footing channel for minimising the risk of moisture ingress to a building. It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide an improved structural element for buildings having their entrance doorway threshold at the same level as the surrounding terrain.

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ It is an even further object of embodiments of the invention to provide an improved footing channel for drainage of liquid around a building.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a structural element in a building comprising a building section, a base element, a console, and a cover, the base element being two-sided and arranged with a first edge in a longitudinal direction along the building section such that a first side forms a sidewall and a second side forms a bottom of a channel, the console being attachable to the sidewall and the bottom and having suspension means for supporting the cover.

The building section may be a footing or an outer wall of the building, whereby the structural element may be used for draining of liquid, such as surface water. The base element, the console, and the cover may form a footing channel, and liquid may flow into the channel and away from the building. The liquid may flow along the length of the channel and away from the building.

As an example, the building section may be used for draining along a footing or for draining at a roof garden, a roof terrace, a balcony, etc. In case of perforations of in the second side forming the bottom, the liquid may also be drained through these perforations.

The two-sided base element may be formed substantially as an L-shaped element. It should however be understood that the angle between the two sides may be different from 90 degrees thereby providing a base element having two sides being angled relative to each other at an angle being smaller or larger than 90 degrees. The two sides may be of substantially the same size. However, in one embodiment the first side is larger than the second side, and in an alternative embodiment the second side is larger than the first side. As an example, the two sides may both be in the range of 15-30 centimetres, whereas one side in an alternative embodiment may be in the range of 5-25 centimetres, while the other one may be in the range of 15-30 centimetres. The size may depend on the size of the building section. It should be understood, that the mentioned sizes of the base element are given by example only. Other sized base element may also be applicable.

The base element may be formed by folding of a sheet material made from metal, e.g. from steel, aluminium, or zinc, or alloys hereof. As an alternative, the base element may be moulded or extruded plastic or metal. A base element made from steel may be coated to increase the resistance to corrosion. Dependent on the required lifetime of the footing channel, the base element could be also be painted or left corroded.

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ The base element is adapted to be arranged along the building section, e.g. a footing, so that the second side forms a bottom of a channel, and so that the first side forms a sidewall of this channel. This may be achieved by arranging the base element at the bottom adjacent to the footing. By arranging the base element along the footing, drainage of liquid, such as surface water, may be achieved, as the liquid may flow into the channel and away from the building.

The base element may be arranged so that the sidewall faces away from the building section at a distance from this section, thereby providing an open channel along the building section which may be a footing. The distance may be equal to or larger than the width of the bottom as the bottom may be arranged in contact with the building section or at a distance from the building section. By arranging the channel as an open channel having a sidewall at a distance from the building section, ventilation of the building section may be facilitated, whereby at least the upper part of the building section may be dried.

The console which is attachable to the sidewall and the bottom may be used to carry the base element when arranging the base element along the building section, e.g. a footing. Furthermore, the console has suspension means for supporting the cover, when the footing channel is arranged. It should however be understood, that the console and the cover may be formed in one piece. As the base element may be arranged in a trench along the footing, the cover may be only visible part of the finished footing channel. In order to arrange a footing channel along the entire building section, such as a footing of a building a number of base elements, consoles, and covers may be used. The base elements and the covers may be of the same length. This may, however, not always be the case. By providing the base element by a sheet material or extruded or moulded with a relatively small thickness, the length of the base element may be shortened at the construction site, e.g. by cutting a part of the base element away.

To facilitate drainage of e.g. surface water, the cover may comprise openings to allow liquid to enter the footing channel. The cover may be substantially plane. The cover may be formed as a grid, and may be made from e.g. hot-galvanised steel, cast iron, stainless steel, weathering steel, or plastic. Alternatively, the cover may be a flattened sheet material with perforations, an extruded aluminium element with perforations, a tray with e.g. granite gravel, pea gravel, artificial grass, wood chips, or similar. The type of cover may be different, e.g. at different sides of the building, and may be selected to fit the overall design of the building.

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ In one embodiment, the cover comprises at least a first cover section and a second cover section, the first and second cover sections being inclined relative to each other, whereby the angle between the two cover sections is different from 0 degrees and 180 degrees. The angle may be in the range of 110 to 175 degrees, such as 130 to 170 degrees. The upper edges of the cover may thus be arranged so that one extends along the building section and so that the other one extends along the first side of the base element.

The first and second cover sections may extend along the length of the covers, such that both the first and second cover sections extend along the building section.

The cover may be arranged such that the first cover section is arranged closest to the building section, whereas the second cover section is arranged further away from the building section, but still along the length of the building section.

In one embodiment, openings in the cover allowing liquid to enter the footing channel may only be formed in the second cover section, whereas the first cover section may be without openings. By providing a first cover section without openings and arranging it along the building section, liquid flowing along the building section may be minimised or even avoided, as liquid may instead flow down along the inclined first cover section toward the second cover section. Furthermore, splashing of liquid from the cover towards the building section may be minimised or even avoided.

In an even further alternative embodiment, the cover is curve-shaped with upper edges along the building section and along the first side of the base element.

The second side may have an open structure allowing drainage of a liquid through the second side. This may be achieved by perforations in the second side. The perforations may be uniformly distributed and be by of substantially the same size. However, differently sized through holes may also be provided. Furthermore, the base element may be provided with a non-uniformly distribution of perforations/through holes, as it may be an advantage to provide more opening at areas which e.g. is foreseen to receive more surface water.

The base element may be an oblong element whereby it may be achieved that the work associated with the construction of the footing channel may be reduced, as a single base element may extend along a substantial part of the footing. However, to minimise the workload associated with carrying the base elements into the correct position, the base element may advantageously be of a manageable size, such as 1-3 metres.

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ The base element may be linear to fit the layout of a traditional building section, such as a footing. However, to fit e.g. arc-shaped buildings, the base element may also be arc-shaped. To fit buildings of other shapes, the base element may also be formed with other shapes.

As the footing channel may be arranged around a corner of a building, the base element may comprise a first and a second section being angled relative to each other. The first and second sections may be angled at an arbitrary angle, where an angle of approximately 90 degrees may suffice at a majority of buildings.

The console may be releaseably fixed to the base element by concurrent fixing structures. The base elements may be stacked at the construction site, and at least one console may be attached, when the base element is to be positioned. Dependent on the length of the console, it may be an advantage to use e.g. two consoles per base element when carrying the base element.

As the console supports the cover, a plurality of consoles may be used for each base element, when the base element is in place along the footing. Thus, is may be an advantage if the console is releaseably attached, thereby allowed the console(s) to be re-arranged to facilitate support of the cover. Furthermore, a broken console may easily be replaced, if releaseably attached.

The concurrent fixing structures may comprise a first structure forming part of the base and extending in the longitudinal direction to enable fixing of the console at different positions, and a second structure forming part of the console.

The first structure may extend continuously along the full length of the base element.

In one embodiment, the first structure comprises a track for receiving the second structure. As an example, the first structure may be formed by folding an edge of the base element along the longitudinal direction, thereby forming an enclosure for the second structure. In one embodiment, the first structure may be formed by folding two edges of the base element, i.e. at the bottom along the footing and at upper edge of the sidewall, thereby allowing for fixing of the console at two positions.

Folding of the upper edge of the sidewall may further increase the strength of the base element, thereby increasing the ability of withstand pressure from the surrounding earth towards the sidewall.

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ The track may be open in at least one of the free ends of the base elements. This may facilitate coupling of two neighbouring base elements, as the second structure of the console may be simultaneously attached to two neighbouring base elements.

The second structure may form a bead which can be at least partly enclosed in the track. Before arranging the base element e.g. in a trench along the footing of a building, the base element may be more elastically deformable than the console thereby enabling attachment of the console by temporary deformation of a part of the base element, whereby the elasticity enables partly enclosure of the second structure.

However, when the base element is positioned in the trench, the pressure from the earth may fixate the base element and thereby provide a more rigid element. To ensure a releaseably fixation of the console to the base element, the second structure of the console may be elastically deformable so that the second structure may be received in and at least partly enclosed in the first structure.

To facilitate positioning of the base element at a distance from the building section, the console may comprise at least one projection arrangeable against the building section. This may improve the use of the footing channel e.g. along an uneven footing. Furthermore, drying of the footing may be improved, as liquid may also be drained along the base element.

To facilitate the use of the footing channel along a door opening, the console may further comprise a panel and at least one groove adapted to receive an edge portion of the panel. The panel may be arranged to minimise the risk of moisture ingress to the building parts, as the transition from the footing to the other building part is not necessarily moisture proof. The groove may face upwards when the console is positioned at the base element so that the edge portion can be arranged in the groove from above the console, thereby facilitating mounting of the panel. To further facilitate mounting of the panel and to facilitate positioning hereof, the groove may be elongated and may extend substantially along the width of console so that the panel may be positioned substantially along the footing channel.

A panel may be received in grooves of a plurality of consoles so as be supported at more than one position.

The cover may fix the panel in the groove when the cover is supported by the suspension means. This may be achieved by arranging the cover so that it covers a part the panel when the panel is arranged in the groove. Thus, in one embodiment the panel may have to be arranged in the groove(s) before positioning the cover at the console(s). In this embodiment,

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ removal of the panel from the groove(s) may be prevented by the cover, when the cover is supported by the suspension means.

To facilitate fixing of the panel, the groove may exert a pressure on the edge portion. This may e.g. be achieve by providing the groove with an opening of a size being smaller than the edge portion, so that the two sides of the groove will have to be pressed away from each other when arranging the edge portion in the groove, i.e. the groove may be deformed by the edge portion. This deformation may result in a pressure on the edge portion and may thus facilitate fixing of the panel.

In one embodiment, the panel forms a first horizontal face and a second horizontal face, where the horizontal faces are on opposite sides of a vertical face. The first horizontal face may form an extension of the cover, and the second horizontal face may be located horizontally below a part of the cover. The first and second horizontal faces may be located at different heights such that the first horizontal face are substantially at the same level as the upper surface of the cover, thus enabling a stepless entrance to the building e.g. to allow entry by a wheel-chair. As the second horizontal face may be located below a part of the cover, the cover enables fixing of the panel. The second horizontal face may form part of the edge portion of the panel.

The second horizontal face may be formed as an extension to the vertical face along the full length of the panel, so that the second horizontal face extends continuously along the edge portion of the panel. This may e.g. be achieved by forming the panel in one piece of a piece of sheet material which may be folded thereby forming the panel.

In an alternative embodiment, the second horizontal face may extend discontinuously along the edge portion of the panel, e.g. by providing the second horizontal face by a plurality of fixing elements protruding from the vertical face. Thus, the plurality of fixing elements may be located below a part of the cover, when the cover is supported by the suspension means, thereby enabling fixing of the panel by the cover.

The panel may be made from a cutable anti-corrosive material, such as aluminium or plastic. Other materials may however also be used. By anti-corrosive should be understood, that the material itself may be anti-corrosive, or that the panel is coated or painted or in other ways treated to avoid corrosion of the panel.

When providing the panel of a cutable material, sizing of the panel at the construction site is facilitated, as the panel may be cut to fit the size of a door opening or entrance during mounting of the footing channel.

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ In one embodiment, the panel may be made of a material which itself is not anti-corrosive. Subsequently, the material may have been coated with a component which ensures coating of an end part of the panel if the panel has to be cut to fit it to the size of the entrance, as the coating may extend over the cutting line during cutting of the panel. The console may comprise a first attachment structure enabling attachment of the cover to the console. The first attachment structure may as an example by a threaded hole adapted to receive a screw through the cover. Other attachment structures may also be used.

The console may comprise a second attachment structure enabling attachment of an end element. The end element may e.g. be attached to a console to close the footing channel at one end of the channel. In one embodiment, the second attachment structure comprises through holes in the end element through which corresponding protrusions may extend.

To facilitate cleaning of the footing channel, the console and the base element may contact each other at at least one contact point, so that the console and the base element does not contact each other adjacent to said at least one contact point. Due to the areas where the console and the base element are not in contact with each other, the channel may be hosed and thereby cleaned. In case of only one contact point, this point may e.g. be positioned approximately in middle of the console, or at one of the sides, e.g. towards the footing or towards the sidewall of the base element, i.e. in the transition between the sidewall and the bottom. In case of two contact points, they may be positioned in two of the three example point mentioned for a console and a base element with only one contact point.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a footing channel comprising a base element, a console, and a cover, the base element being two-sided and arrangeable with a first edge in a longitudinal direction along a footing such that a first side forms a sidewall and a second side forms a bottom of a channel, the console being attachable to the sidewall and the bottom and having suspension means for supporting the cover.

It should be understood, that a skilled person would readily recognise that any feature described in combination with the first aspect of the invention could also be combined with the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides method for drainage along a building section, the method comprising the following steps: providing a base element being two- sided, providing a console, and providing a cover; arranging a first edge of the base element in a longitudinal direction along the building section such that a first side forms a sidewall and

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ a second side forms a bottom of a channel; attaching the console to the sidewall and the bottom; and arranging the cover at the console at suspension means.

It should be understood, that the method for drainage along a building section may be used in connection with the structural element according to the above-described first aspect of the invention and may be used in connection with the footing channel according to the above- described second aspect. Thus, the features of the first and second aspects of the invention may be applicable in relation to the method for drainage according to the third aspect of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings Embodiments of the invention will not be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a base element, a console, and a cover of a footing channel,

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a console,

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of an embodiment of footing channel, Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a footing channel with an end element,

Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate an alternative embodiment of a footing channel at a corner of a building,

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a footing channel,

Fig. 8a illustrates an alternative embodiment of a footing channel comprising a cover with a first and a second cover section,

Fig. 8b schematically illustrates the angle between the first and second cover sections,

Fig. 9 illustrates a footing channel with a cutaway section,

Fig. 10 illustrates a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of a panel,

Fig. 11 illustrates a footing channel with a panel as schematically illustrated in Fig. 10, and

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ Figs. 12a and 12b illustrate different embodiments of a cover. Detailed description of the drawings

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Fig. 1 illustrates an unassembled footing channel 1 comprising a base element 2, a console 3, and a cover 4. The base element 2 is two-sided and arrangeable with a first edge 5 in a longitudinal direction (indicated by the arrow 6) along a building section (not shown) such that a first side 7 forms a sidewall and a second side 8 forms a bottom of a channel. The console 3 is attachable to the sidewall 7 and the bottom 8 and has suspension means 9 for supporting the cover 4.

The two-sided base element 2 is formed substantially as an L-shaped element. In the illustrated embodiment, the two sides are of substantially the same size. The base element 2 is formed by folding of at sheet material made from metal.

In Fig. 1 only one console 3 is shown. However, a plurality of consoles 3 may be used to support the cover 4. Furthermore, to arrange a footing channel 1 along the entire footing of a building a number of base elements 2, consoles 3, and covers 4 may be used. The base elements 2 and the covers 4 may be of the same length as in the illustrated embodiment. To facilitate drainage of e.g. surface water, the cover 4 may comprise openings 10 to allow liquid to enter the footing channel. The cover illustrated in Fig. 1 is formed as a grid made from hot-galvanised steel.

The second side 8 has an open structure allowing drainage of a liquid through this side. The open structure is achieved by perforations 11. The perforations are substantially uniformly distributed of substantially the same size.

Fig. 2 illustrates a console 3 in greater detail.

The console 3 can be releaseably fixed to the base element 2 by concurrent fixing structures 12, 13, 14, 15. The concurrent fixing structures comprise a first structure 12, 13 forming part of the base element 2 and a second structure 14, 15 forming part of the console 3. The first

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ structure 12, 13 extends in the longitudinal direction to enable fixing of the console 3 at different positions. The first structure 12, 13 extends continuously along the full length of the base element 2.

The first structure 12, 13 comprises a track for receiving the second structure 14, 15. As illustrated, the first structure 12, 13 is formed by folding two edges of the base element 2 along the longitudinal direction, thereby forming an enclosure for the second structure 14, 15. As illustrated in the cross-section in Fig. 3, the section structure 14, 15 is partly received in and partly enclosed in the tracks 12, 13. The second structure 14, 15 forms a bead which can be at least partly enclosed in the tracks 12, 13. The second structure 14, 15 is elastically deformable so that the second structure 14, 15 can be received in and at least partly enclosed in the first structure 12, 13 by bending the second structure 14, 15 relative to the main part of the console 3, thereby ensuring a releaseably fixation of the console 3 to the base element 2.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the tracks 12, 13 are open in the free end 16 of the base element 2 to facilitate coupling of two neighbouring base elements 2, as the second structure 14, 15 of the console 3 can simultaneously be attached to two neighbouring base element 2 (see Fig. 6a) .

The console 3 comprises two projections 17 (see Fig. 3) arrangeable against the building section, e.g. a footing (not shown) to facilitate positioning of the base element 2 at a distance from the footing. This may improve the use of the footing channel 1 along an uneven footing, as tolerances can be taken by these projections 17. Furthermore, drying of the footing can be improved, as liquid may also be drained along the base element 2 and not only through the openings 11 arranged in the bottom 8.

As also illustrated in Fig. 3, the console 3 comprises a groove 18 adapted to receive an edge portion of a panel 19 to facilitate the use of the footing channel 1 along a door opening in order facilitate entry into the building by wheel-chair. The panel 19 may further avoid moisture ingress into adjacent building parts.

The console 3 comprises a first attachment structure 20 in the form of a threaded hole 20 (see Fig. 2) enabling attachment of the cover 4 to the console 3. A screw may be mounted through the cover 4 and into the threaded hole 20. To facilitate cleaning of the footing channel 1, the console 3 and the base element 2 contact each other at two contact points 21, so that the console 3 and the base element 2 do not contact each other between said contact points 21. Due to the area 22 where the console 3

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ and the base element 2 are not in contact with each other, the channel 1 may be hosed and thereby cleaned.

As illustrated in Figs. 4a and 4b, the console 3 comprises a second attachment structure 23 enabling attachment of an end element 24 which closes the footing channel 1 at one end. In the present embodiment, the second attachment structure 23 comprises four through holes in the end element 24 through which protrusions extend.

In Fig. 4a, the footing channel 1 is illustrated without the cover 4, and in Fig. 4b the cover 4 is arranged at a plurality of consoles 3.

Figs. 5a and 5b are illustrations of a footing channel 1 which is arranged around a corner 25 of a building. The footing channel 1 comprises two oblong base elements 2 and a base element 2' comprising a first and a second section 2a, 2b being angled relative to each other.

In Fig. 5a, the footing channel 1 is illustrated without the cover 4, and in Fig. 5b a cover 4 is arranged at a plurality of consoles 3.

Fig. 6 illustrates a footing channel 1 comprising a base element 2, a console 3, and a cover 4. The console 3 is positioned so that it extends out from the base element 2 to enable coupling of the base element 2 to a neighbouring base element 2.

Fig. 7 illustrates a footing channel 1 having an edge portion of a panel 19 received in the groove 18 to facilitate the use of the footing channel 1 along a door opening.

Fig. 8a illustrates an alternative embodiment of a footing channel 1 comprising a cover 4 with a first cover section 4A and a second cover section 4B, the first and second cover sections 4A, 4B being inclined relative to each other to form a cover comprising two plane surface being inclined relative to each other. Openings 10 are only formed in the second cover section 4B.

Fig. 8b schematically illustrates the angle A between the first and second cover sections 4A, 4B, which angle in the illustrated embodiment is approximately 150 degrees.

Fig. 9 illustrates a footing channel 1 with a cutaway section. When liquid is drained through the openings 11 in the bottom 8, the liquid is drained into a layer 26 of gravel from where it flows into a filter layer 27 and further into the drain 28.

Inspicos/23/08/2013/ Fig. 10 illustrates a schematic cross-section of panel 19 to be arranged in the groove 18 (see Fig. 3 and 7) of the console 3. The groove 18 is adapted to receive an edge portion 19a of the panel 19. The panel 19 may be arranged to minimise the risk of moisture ingress to the building parts, and to facilitate entry into the building by wheel-chairs. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel 19 forms a first horizontal face 29 and a second horizontal face 30, the horizontal faces being on opposite sides of a vertical face 31. The first horizontal face 29 forms an extension of 4 the cover (see Fig. 11), and the second horizontal face 30 is to be located horizontally below a part of the cover 4, when the panel 19 is arranged in the groove 18 (see Fig. 11). The first and second horizontal faces 29, 30 are located at different heights such that the first horizontal face 29 are substantially at the same level as the upper surface of the cover 4, and such that the cover 4 enables fixing of the panel 19. The second horizontal face 30 forms part of the edge portion 19a of the panel.

The illustrated panel 19 is formed in one piece by folding a piece of sheet material.

Fig. 11 illustrates a footing channel 1 with a panel 19 as schematically illustrated in Fig. 10. The panel 19 is arranged in a groove 18 of the console 3. The cover 4 fixes the panel 19 in the groove, as the cover 4 is arranged so that it covers a part the panel 19. This further ensures that removal of the panel 19 from the groove 18 is prevented by the cover 4. In the present embodiment, the cover 4 is formed as a grating made from hot-galvanised steel, which grating 4 comprises a leg 4C to support the cover 4 and adapted to fix the panel 19 in the groove 18.

Figs. 12a and 12b illustrate different embodiments of a cover 4. The cover 4' illustrated in Fig. 12a is formed as a tray 32 in which granite gravel 33 is arranged. The tray 32 comprises through holes in the lower part to allow liquid to flow through the tray and into the footing channel (not shown). The cover 4" illustrated in Fig. 12b is curve-shaped with upper edges 34 to be arranged along the building section and along the first side of the base element, respectively. The square-shaped openings 10 allow liquid to flow into the footing channel (not shown).

Inspicos/23/08/2013/