TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a liquid drainage channel and a liquid drainage system. The disclosure is also concerned with a system and method for coupling a variety of utility elements to the liquid drainage channel.

BACKGROUND ART

References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below: EP3272938; US9995032; US 10604925; DE 102005029933; CN107130676; US4490067. Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

BACKGROUND

EP3272938 discloses a gutter extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a gutter channel, the channel having a channel bottom and a channel wall, a gutter cover, the cover having a cover body extending in a longitudinal direction, with a upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, with at least one opening in the upper surface for receiving at least two lining elements, at least two lining spacer elements, for abutting the at least two lining elements on either side of the at least two spacer elements, wherein the at least two spacer elements are aligned on the upper surface in an alignment direction and are separated by said at least one opening in the alignment direction, and the at least two spacer elements protruding from the upper surface of the cover body, thereby forming with said at least one opening a discharge mouth, characterized in that the alignment direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the cover body as well as to the longitudinal direction of the gutter.

US 10,604,925 discloses a tile drain and method of installing a tile drain is provided. The tile drain includes a drain body and a drain cover. The drain body defines a top opening, top weep apertures, and bottom weep apertures. The top opening receives the drain cover and serves as the primary drain for the tile drain. The top weep apertures are positioned below a top layer, such as a tile layer, of the base so as to receive fluid positioned between the top layer and a top waterproofing layer of the base. The sub weep apertures are positioned below the top waterproofing layer of the base so as to receive fluid positioned between the top waterproofing layer and a bottom waterproofing layer of the base. The drain body is encapsulated within the base, but the drain cover is adjustable relative to, and removable from, the drain body.

US9,995,032 discloses a linear drain assembly includes an elongate drain body including a cover, a slotted inlet formed in the cover, and a drain channel formed below the cover and in fluid communication with the slotted inlet. The drain channel defines at least one closed end extending in both a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction across the drain channel. The closed end is arranged to direct debris moving through the drain channel toward the slotted inlet.

DE 102005029933 discloses a wooden floor, especially for balconies or patios, comprises several long wooden slats which are arranged parallel to each other to form a floor surface. An elongated trough-shaped water-drainage profile is provided in the region between adjacent wooden slats. The under sides of adjacent wooden slats lie on the two upward-protruding profile edges of the water-drainage profile. Preferred Features: The water-drainage profile has a U-shaped cross-section. The wooden floor has a slope.

CN107130676 relates to underground drainage channels of grounds, in particular to a concealed ground drainage structure which comprises a stone cover plate, a frametype base plate and a drainage tank. Long grooves are formed in the edge of the stone cover plate, drainage gaps are formed when two adjacent stone cover plates are spliced, linearly extend and are formed above the drainage tank, the frame-type base plate is arranged between the stone cover plate and the drainage tank, grooves are formed in the opening surface of the drainage tank, the frame-type base plate is arranged on the surface of the drainage tank in a spanning manner, and the grooves of the drainage tank contain the edge of the frame-type base plate. The drainage structure is high in bearing capacity, long in service life, complete in concealment and high in attractiveness, the stone cover plate can be opened and easily cleaned and maintained, and an inspection opening is omitted. The concealed ground drainage structure can be arranged in a camber line manner and is suitable for installation of corner underground drainage channels.

US4490067 discloses a below ground drain and conduit member to receive surface water which also functions as expansion and contraction joint. The member comprises a hollow longitudinal member having an integrally joined upper polygonal portion of a relatively narrower transverse dimension and a cylindrical lower portion which may be anchored to the subsoil or a substrate and accommodates within said lower portion a cylindrical pipe to carry away accumulated water. The structural components are particularly adapted to be soldered or welded to form a watertight drainage system. The drain of the invention is adapted to be aligned and secured by attaching clips which may be secured, such as by stakes driven into the subsoil, to prevent dislocation as concrete is poured around the drain. Water to be drained enters openings in the top side, z.e., the horizontal face of the upper portion and is carried away in the cylindrical lower portion which is in open communication with the upper portion. A channel, or indentation in the outer surface of the drain enhances the attachment, z.e., bonding of the drain in the surrounding concrete. Extensions contiguous to the bottom of the drain, which mate with attachable securing clips afford means to align and hold the drain during installation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A first aspect of the disclosure is concerned with a drainage channel having a closed section shaped body and extending along a longitudinal axis, said drainage channel having a first side wall and a second side wall, both extending between a bottom wall and a top wall of the body; said top wall configured with a middle drain grate disposed between a pair of central tile-bearing ridges, and a side drain grate disposed between one of said tile-bearing ridges and the second side wall.

In a possible embodiment the drainage channel comprises a closed section shaped body extending along a longitudinal axis of the drainage channel, the closed section shaped body having a first side wall and a second side wall, both extending between a bottom wall and a top wall of the body, a middle drain grate disposed in a depressed portion extending along the top wall between a pair of central tile -bearing ridges, and a side drain grate disposed in a depressed portion extending along the top wall between one of the tile-bearing ridges and the second side wall.

The drainage channel according to the present disclosure can be configured for underground installation. The term 'underground installation' as used herein the specification and claims indicates that at least a major portion of a cross section of the drainage channel is configured for under surface installation, and according to a particular example, in use, the entire drainage channel is disposed underground surface. The central tile -bearing ridges are spaced apart, rendering the drainage channel for positioning such that the middle drain grate is disposed between or under neighboring floor tiles.

The side drain grate can extend between one of the central tile-bearing ridges and a side tile-bearing ridge extending from the second side wall, rendering it suitable for positioning juxtapose a vertical wall portion.

A second aspect of the disclosure is concerned with a liquid drain system comprising a drainage channel having a closed section shaped body and extending along a longitudinal axis, said drainage channel having a first side wall and a second side wall, both extending between a bottom wall and a top wall of the body; said top wall configured with a middle drain grate disposed between a pair of central tile-bearing ridges, and a side drain grate disposed between one of said tile -bearing ridges and the second side wall; an outside surface of any one or more of the side walls and the bottom wall and the top wall of the body of the drainage channel is configured with articulating arrangements for securely coupling thereto a variety of utility elements; and one or more utility elements; wherein the utility elements are configured with a polygonal body having a at least one detachable coupling plate, couplable to an end of the body of the drainage channel by a plurality of fasteners secured to the articulating arrangements through an inside face of the coupling plate, and wherein a body portion of the utility element is articulated to the coupling plate from an outside face of the coupling plate.

In possible embodiments the liquid drain system comprises the drainage channel of any of the embodiments disclosed herein and one or more utility elements, wherein the utility elements are configured with a body having at least one detachable coupling plate couplable to an end of the body of the drainage channel by a plurality of fasteners secured to the articulating arrangements through an inside face of the coupling plate, and wherein a body portion of the utility element is articulated to the coupling plate from an outside face of the coupling plate.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configuration can be applied to any one or more of the aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof:

• The middle drain grate can be a depressed portion between the central tilebearing ridges; • The side drain grate can be a depressed portion between the respective central tile-bearing ridge and a topmost portion of the second wall;

• The central tile -bearing ridges can be level with one another;

• The side tile-bearing ridge can be level with one or both of the central tilebearing ridges;

• The central tile -bearing ridges, and the side tile-bearing ridge can be configured with at least a top flat top tile bearing surface;

• The second side wall can be configured with a negative inclination, wherein a top portion of said side wall extends outwards of a bottom portion of said wall, top portion of the second side wall can project outwards beyond any other portion of said second side wall;

• The first side wall can be configured with a portion projecting outwards beyond a top portion thereof;

• Any one of the central tile -bearing ridges and the side tile -bearing ridge can be configured with a laterally extending lip, coplanar with a top surface of the ridge;

• A bottom face of the lip can facilitate as a drip inducer;

• One or both of the tile-bearing ridges can be configured with adhering agent receiving space. According to a particular example the adhering agent receiving space is a longitudinal groove;

• One or both of the middle drain grate and the side drain grate can extend substantially along the entire body of the drainage channel;

• The bottom wall can have a concave shape, with a nadir at extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body;

• The drainage channel can be configured with support legs for supporting the body stable;

• The support legs can support the nadir of the body above a bottom end of the support legs;

• The body of the drainage channel can be configured with one or more articulating arrangements for securely coupling thereto a variety of utility elements; • The utility elements can be any one of an inspection box, distribution box end pieces and coupling elements, for articulating a coextending drainage channel, etc.;

• The articulating arrangements can be configured at either or both an inside surface and an outside surface of the drainage channel;

• The articulating arrangements can be configured at any one or more of the side walls and the bottom wall and the top wall of the body of the drainage channel;

• The articulating arrangement can be a screw port; the screw port can be a screw-groove, a screw-tube and a screw-boss;

• The utility elements can be a channel-coupler unit configured for articulating two coextending drainage channels to one another, said channelcoupler unit comprising a body configured for coaxially articulating, at either side thereof, with a drainage channel, wherein said channel-coupler is configured for snugly embracing at least the first side wall and the second side wall and the bottom wall of an articulated drainage channel;

• A top wall of the channel-coupler unit can be configured for co-extending with a top wall of an articulated drainage channel;

• A top surface and a bottom surface of a top wall of the channel-coupler unit can extend flush with respective top surface and a bottom surface of the top wall of an articulated drainage channel;

• The channel-coupler unit can be configured with a closed central segment having a cross section similar to a cross section of a drainage channel articulable thereby, and two coupling segments coaxially extending from either side of the central segment and configured for coaxially articulating, at either side thereof, a drainage channel, wherein said coupling segments are configured for snugly embracing at least the first side wall and the second side wall and the bottom wall of an articulated drainage channel;

• At an articulated position, a fore end of drainage channel bears flush against a side wall of the central segment of the drainage channel;

• The channel-coupler unit can be configured with a plurality of screw port coupling pins, snugly engageable within the screw ports configured at outside surface walls of an articulable drainage channel; • An outside surface of the drainage channel can be configured with concrete/soil interaction protrusions/ribs

• The drainage channel is a longitudinal element extending a long its longitudinal axis, wherein it can be shortened to any desired length, so suit installation requirements;

• The drainage channel can be manufactured by extrusion;

• The drainage channel can be made of a variety of materials. For example, the drainage channel can be made of metal, plastic material, composite materials, recycled material, etc.;

• The utility element can be a modular, multipurpose coupling unit, couplable at least at once face thereof to an end of the drainage channel;

• The utility element can be coupled to the drainage channel from an outside face of the utility element;

• The utility element can comprise a detachable coupling plate, couplable to an end of the body of the drainage channel by a plurality of fasteners secured to the articulating arrangements through an inside face of the coupling plate, and wherein a body portion of the utility element is articulated to the coupling plate from an outside face of the coupling plate;

• The utility element can be couplable with the body of the drainage channel at any one or more of its faces, wherein each face can be configured for coupling with a coupling plate, which in turn is couplable with an end of body of the drainage channel;

• The coupling plate can be screw coupled with an end of body of the drainage channel by threaded fasteners engageable with screw ports configured at the body of the drainage channel, from an inside face of the coupling plate;

• The body portion of the utility element can be screw coupled with the coupling plate by threaded fasteners engageable from an outside face of the coupling plate;

• A top cover of the utility element can be configured with a first face and a second face, and wherein the top cover can be applied over the utility element with either the first face or the second face facing up; • The body portion of the multipurpose coupling unit can have a polygonal shape;

• The body portion of the utility element can be configured with open faces, each couplable with a utility element or with an end plate for sealing said open face;

• The top cover can be configured for applying a decorative/concealing tile element over the top cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A is a right-side perspective view of a drainage channel according to an example of the disclosure;

Fig. IB is an enlarged left side perspective view of an end portion of the drainage channel of Fig. 1A;

Fig. 1C is a planar view of the drainage channel of Fig. 2A, sectioned along line 1C - 1C in Fig. IB;

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of two coaxially disposed drainage channels according to Fig. 1A, coupled to one another by a modular coupler element;

Fig. 2B is a partially exploded view of the portion marked II in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3A is an enlarged perspective view of the modular coupler element marked III in Fig, 2B;

Fig. 3B is an exploded view of the modular coupler element of Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3C is a body member of the modular coupler element of Fig. 3B;

Figs. 4A to 4E are consecutive steps of coupling two drainage channels using a modular coupler element according to the disclosure;

Fig. 5 A illustrates an elbow pipe segment couplable with the modular coupler element interconnecting between two coextending drainage channels;

Fig. 5B is another example of articulating an elbow pipe with a modular coupler element;

Fig. 6A is directed to a drainage channel end piece, fitted with an elbow pipe; Fig. 6B is an exploded view of Fig. 6A;

Fig. 6C is a perspective view of Fig. 6A, with the end piece detached from the drainage channel;

Fig. 7 A is a T-shaped coupling arrangement of an underground liquid drain system according to an example of the disclosure, configured as a center- surface drain system, with tiles laid thereover;

Fig. 7B is a planar view in direction of arrow 7B in Fig. 7A;

Fig. 7C is a planar view in direction of arrow 7C in Fig. 7A;

Fig. 7D is the same as Fig. 7A, however with the tiles removed and an inspection cover of the modular coupler element at an exploded position with a cover tile;

Fig. 8A is a T-shaped coupling arrangement of an underground liquid drain system according to an example of the disclosure, configured as a wall-adjoining drain system, with tiles laid thereover;

Fig. 8B is a planar view in direction of arrow 8B in Fig. 8A;

Fig. 8C is a planar view in direction of arrow 8C in Fig. 8A;

Fig. 8D is the same as Fig. 8A, however with an inspection cover at an open position;

Fig. 9A is a comer coupling configuration, of two drainage channels, for applying adjoining an external corner wall;

Fig. 9B is a corner coupling configuration, of two drainage channels, for applying adjoining an internal corner wall;

Fig. 10A is a liquid drain system comprising two coextending drainage channels, interconnected by a channel-coupler unit;

Fig. 10B is an enlargement of the portion marked 10B in Fig. 10A;

Fig. 10C is an exploded view of portion shown in Fig. 10B;

Fig. 10D is a vertical section along line 10D - 10D in Fig. 10B;

Fig. 10E is a horizontal section along line 10E - 10E in Fig. 10B;

Fig. 10F is a vertical section along line 10F - 10F in Fig. 10B;

Figs. 11A and 11B are a right-side perspective view and a left-side perspective view, respectively, of the channel-coupler unit seen in Fig. 10C;

Fig. 12 is a modification of a drainage channel at a wall drainage configuration; and Fig. 13 is a modification of positioning the drainage channel according to the present disclosure, with a topmost face thereof extending flush with surface tiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With attention first made to Figs. 1A to 1C there is illustrated a drainage channel unit generally designated 10, being an elongate rigid body, having a longitudinal axis X. The drainage channel 10 has a closed section shaped body 12 configured with a first side wall 14 and a second side wall 16, both extending between a bottom wall 18 and a top wall 20 of the body 12. The top wall 20 is configured with a middle drain grate 26 being a depressed portion disposed between a pair of central tile-bearing ridges 28 and 30 and a side drain grate 40 disposed between tile -bearing ridge 30 and the second side wall 16.

The drainage channel can be made of a variety of materials e.g., metal, plastic material, composite materials, recycled material, etc., typically made by extrusion. The drainage channel 10 is a longitudinal element rendering it suitable for shortening to any desired length, so as to suit installation requirements, and extendible by modular articulation to neighboring drainage channels, as will be discussed herein after.

The side drain grate 40 is a depressed portion extending between the central tilebearing ridge 30 and a side tile -bearing ridge 46 extending from the second side wall 16, rendering it suitable for positioning juxtapose a vertical wall portion, as will be discussed hereinafter.

The body 12 of drainage channel 10 has a closed section, though the middle drain grate 26 and the side drain grate 40 are configured with a plurality of drainage openings 43 and 45, respectively.

Further noted, the central tile-bearing ridges 28 and 30 are level with one another as well as with the side tile-bearing ridge 46, defining together a planar tile bearing surface S (Fig. 1C). Each of the tile-bearing ridges 28, 30 and 46 is configured with a top flat top tile bearing surfaces 50, and wherein central tile-bearing ridges 28 and 30 are configured with a longitudinal adhering agent receiving groove 52. The middle drain grate 26 and the side drain grate 40 extend substantially along the entire body of the drainage channel.

The central tile-bearing ridges 28, 30 and the side tile-bearing ridge 46 are each configured with a laterally extending lip portion 56, coplanar with a top surface of the respective ridge, wherein said lip enhancer tile support surface S and wherein a bottom face of the lip can facilitate as a drip inducer.

The second side wall 16 defines a negative inclination a° with respect to the vertical (Fig. 1C), wherein a top edge of said side wall 16 extends outwards of a bottom portion of said wall, the top portion of the second side wall projects outwards beyond any other portion of said second side wall. The first side wall 14 is designed with a portion 15 projecting outwards beyond a top portion of said side wall.

The bottom wall 18 of the drainage channel 10 has a concave shape, with a nadir N extending parallel with the longitudinal axis X of the body 12. Further, the drainage channel 10 is configured with support legs 60 for supporting the body 12 stable with a bottom most portion of the body elevated from a ground surface G (Fig. 1C). An outside surface of the drainage channel 10 is configured with several concrete/soil interaction protrusions/ribs 64 extending along the length of the body 12.

The drainage channel 10 is further configured, at an outside surface thereof, with articulating arrangements by way of screw ports 66 extending the entire length of the body 12, for securely coupling thereto a variety of utility elements. In the illustrated example the articulating arrangements are configured at an outside surface of the body 12. However, it is appreciated that these can be configured at any wall and also at an inside surface of the body, and wherein the screw ports can be any one or combination of screw-grooves (as in the illustrated examples), screw-tubes and a screw-bosses.

Further attention is now directed to Figs. 2A and 2B, illustrating an example of a liquid drain system generally designated 70, comprising a pair of coaxially extending drainage channels 10a and 10b, similar with the drainage channel 10 as disclosed hereinabove, and a utility element, namely a modular, multipurpose coupling unit, generally designated 72, interconnecting the drainage channels 10a and 10b in flow communication with one another.

With further attention to Figs. 3A to 3C, the multipurpose coupling unit 72 has a polygonal body 76 (square in the present example) with all six faces thereof configured with a large opening 77 and an open top face 78. Two detachable coupling plates 79 are disposed at opposite faces of the body 76 and two detachable end plates 80 at other opposite faces of body 76. A bottom end plate 82 is detachably secured to a bottom face of the body 76 and a top plate 86 is placed at the top face 78, resting over tabs 88 inwardly projecting from coupling plates 79 and end plates 80, an L-shaped ground support plate 89 is disposed intermediate the body 76 and one of end plates 82, and wherein said coupling plates 79, end plates 80, bottom end plate 82 and ground support plate 89 are secured to the body 76 by screws 90.

Further attention is now directed to Figs. 4A to 4E illustrating consecutive steps of coupling the liquid drain system generally designated 70 of Fig. 2A, and however wherein said coupling arrangement applies to other configurations, as will be exemplified hereinafter. More specifically, the steps illustrated in Figs. 4A to 4E explain also the articulation of the modular multipurpose coupling unit 72 to a drainage channel 10.

At a first step (Figs. 4A and 4B) a coupling plate 79a is applied and secured to an end of drainage channel 10a, and coupling plate 79b is applied and secured to a respective, facing end of drainage channel 10b, wherein said coupling plates 79a and 79b are secured to the respective drainage channel 10a and 10b by screws 90 fastened into screw ports 66. It is noted that the coupling plates 79a and 79b are positioned such that the tabs 88 face each other.

Next, the partially assembled drainage channel 10a and 10b of the previous step are secured to the body 76 by a plurality of screws 92 applied from an outside face of the respective coupling plate 79a and 79b (and external of said drainage channels 10a and 10b), whereby the drainage channels 10a and 10b are now disposed at a coaxial, coextensive position, with a flow path extending though the assembly.

Finally, as illustrated in Fig. 4E, walls of the modular multipurpose coupling unit 72 are applied and secured thereto by screws 90, namely two end plates 80, bottom end plate 82 and ground support plate 89 are secured to the body 76. Top plate 86 is laid over tabs 88, rendering it readily removable, thus facilitating the coupling unit 72 as an inspection box.

Whilst in the example of Figs. 2 and 4 two side walls of the modular multipurpose coupling unit 72 are sealed by end plates 80, the examples of Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate other examples. Fig. 5A illustrates a portion of a liquid drain system generally designated 100, configured with three drainage channels 10a, 10b and 10c disposed at a T - like arrangement and being articulated with a modular multipurpose coupling unit 72' in flow communication. An elbow pipe 102 is fitted to side plate 104 of the modular multipurpose coupling unit 72', wherein said side plate 102 is configured with a tubular projection 106 for securely receiving said elbow pipe 102. A modification of this arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 5B illustrating a portion of a liquid drain system generally designated 110, configured with two, coaxially extending drainage channels 10a and 10b, articulated to a modular multipurpose coupling unit 72" as explained hereinabove, and however wherein the side wall 114 is configured with a round opening 116 fitted for snap arresting an annular rim 118 of the elbow pipe 102. It is appreciated that the liquid drain systems illustrated above are mere examples wherein a wide diversity of configurations of coupling drainage channels with one another and with different utility elements is possible, e.g., offering an inspection box, distribution box, end pieces and coupling elements, for articulating a drainage channel, etc.

Yet an example of articulating a utility element to a drainage channel 10 is illustrated in Figs. 6A to 6C. In this example an end plate 124 is attached to an end of the drainage channel 10 with an elbow pipe 102 attached thereto. Accordingly, the end plate 124 has an inside face 126 (namely a face facing the end of the drainage channel 10) configured with a depression 128 (Fig. 6C) following the contour of the drainage channel 10 whereby when applied thereto it sealingly bears thereover. End plate 124 is secured to the drainage channel 10 by a plurality of screws 130 screwed into screw ports 66. End plate 124 has an L-shape section. With a support and anchoring leg portion 134, and a cylindrical projection 136 for snugly securing thereto said elbow pipe 102.

As mentioned herein, the drainage channel according to the disclosure, and a system comprising same, are configured for underground installation, suitable for positioning at any location, either at an open area location and/or adjoining a wall portion.

In the example illustrated in Figs. 7A to 7D, there is demonstrated how a liquid drain system 150 is used at an open space under tiles. The illustrated example comprises a T-shaped draining assembly comprising three drainage channels 10a, 10b and 10c (Fig. 7D) positioned under floor tiles 152A to 152D, wherein the tiles are slightly spaced apert from one another, leaving a gap 158A and 158B therebetween. The tiles 152A to 152D are laid such that a bottom surfaces 151A - 151C, respectively, are disposed above the tile bearing surfaces 50 of the tile -bearing ridges 28, 30 and 46 and secured thereto by an adhesive agent applied into grooves 52. The arrangement is such that when assembled, the gaps 158A and 158B are positioned above the middle drain grate 26 of the respective drainage channels 10a, 10b and 10c, such that liquid can drain easily through the gaps into the drain system, flowing as indicated by flow path F. As can be seen in Fig. 7D, tile piece 152D extends over the top plate 86 of the modular multipurpose coupling unit 72, however wherein the top plate is positioned upside down (as opposed to the position seen for example in Figs. 3A, 4E, 5A) with for side flaps 87 (Fig. 7D) facing upwards for snugly accommodating the tile piece 152D, such that it can be easily removed for admitting access to the coupling unit/inspection box 72. When positioned in place the top plate 86 rests over the flaps 88 of the multipurpose coupling unit 72.

The example of Figs. 8A to 8D illustrates a liquid drain system 170 mounted at the vicinity of a wall 174. In this example too three darning channels 10a, 10b and 10c are articulated at T-shaped configuration, via a modular multipurpose coupling unit 72, as explained herein above. The system is positioned under floor tiles 176A and 176B spaced apert from one another, leaving a gap 178 therebetween, and extending in close proximity with the wall 174, however with a gap 180 therebetween (best seen in Fig. 8B).

As explained in connection with the previous example, the tiles 176A to 176C are laid such that bottom surfaces 178A and 178B, respectively, have neighboring portions thereof are disposed above the tile bearing surfaces 50 of the tile-bearing ridges 28, 30 and 46 (of drainage channels 10a) and however with portions of the tiles 176A to 176C disposed only over central tile -bearing ridges 28, 30 of drainage channels 10a and 10b, with the top tile bearing surfaces 50 bearing against the wall 174. Tiles 176A - 176C are secured to the respective drainage channels by an adhesive agent applied into grooves 52.

The arrangement is such that when assembled, the gap 178 is positioned above the middle drain grate 26 of the drainage channel 10c, and the gap 180 is disposed over the side drain grate 40 such that liquid can drain easily through the gaps into the drain system, flowing as indicated by flow path F.

Tile piece 176C extends over the top plate 86 of the modular multipurpose coupling unit 72, however wherein the top plate is positioned upside down with for side flaps 87 (Fig. 7D) facing upwards for snugly accommodating the tile piece, such that it can be easily removed for admitting access to the coupling unit/inspection box 72.

As can be appreciated from Figs. 9A and 9B, a corner drainage system according to the present disclosure can be used for a so-called extemal/outside corner (Fig. 9A) and for a so-called internal/inside corner (Fig. 9B).

In the example of Fig. 9A the liquid drain system 190 is disposed at an inside corner defined between two vertical wall segments 192a and 192b, wherein the drainage channels 10a and 10b are disposed such that the side drain grate 40 of each of the drainage channels 10a and 10b extends near the respective wall segment 192a and 192b, with lip portion 56 of the side tile -bearing ridge 46 bearing against the wall segment 192a and 192b.

Fig. 9B illustrates a liquid drain system 200 disposed at an outside corner defined between two vertical wall segments 210a and 210b, wherein the drainage channels 10a and 10b are disposed invertedly with respect to the example of Fig. 9A, such that the side drain grate 40 of each of the drainage channels 10a and 10b extends near the respective wall segment 210a and 210b, with lip portion 56 of the side tile-bearing ridge 46 bearing against the wall segment 210a and 210b.

With attention made to Figs. 10A to 10F and 11A and 11B of the drawings, there is illustrated a different drainage channel coupling arrangement, using a utility element being a channel-coupler unit 220 (seen isolated in Figs. 11A and 11B).

In the example a coextensive drainage system 225 is displayed, comprising two drainage channels 10a and 10b interconnected by the channel-coupler unit 220, in a manner substantially not interfering with the flow regime between the drainage channels 10a and 10b.

The channel-coupler unit 220 comprises a body 228 configured for coaxially articulating, at either side thereof, with a drainage channel, wherein said channel-coupler is configured for snugly embracing at least the first side wall 14, the second side wall 16 and the bottom wall 18 of the articulated drainage channels 10a and 10b. A top wall 230 of the channel-coupler unit 220 mimics the top wall 20 of the mating drainage channels 10a and 10b, such that at the assembled position said top wall 230 co-extends flush with the top wall 20a and 20b of the articulated drainage channels 10a and 10b, respectively (both a top surface and a bottom surface of the top walls 20a, 20b and 230 are flush).

It is seen that the channel-coupler unit 220 is configured with a closed central segment having a cross section similar to a cross section of the drainage channels 10a and 10b articulable thereby, wherein two coupling segments coaxially extending from either side of the central segment are configured for coaxially articulating, at either side thereof, a drainage channel, snugly embracing at least side walls and the bottom wall.

At the articulated position, a fore end 234 of the drainage channels bear flush against a respective side wall 238 of a central rib 240. In addition, the channel-coupler unit 220 comprises a pair of support legs 246, which at the assembled position coextend between support legs 60 of the articulated drainage channels 10a and 10b. The channel-coupler unit 220 is configured with several screw port coupling pins 244, snugly engageable within the screw ports 66 configured at outside surface walls of the articulable drainage channels 10a and 10b.

The utility element 220 illustrated in the drawings is a coupler unit. However, according to another example (not shown) said element can be modified to serve as an end unit or as a T-coupler, etc.

In Fig. 12 of the drawings there is illustrated a portion of a drainage channel 10' according to a modification of the disclosure, the difference residing in that the second side wall 16' ends lower, in proximity with the surface of side drain grate 40', there is no side tile-bearing ridge 46, and however comprises laterally extending lip portion 56'. The drainage channel 10' can be used in the same manner as explained in connection with the drainage channel 10.

Whilst the drainage channel and drainage channel system according to the disclosure, are configured for underground installation, in the example of Fig. 13 the drainage channel 10 is disposed with almost the entire body underground, however with the tile bearing surfaces 50 of the tile-bearing ridges 28, 30 and 46 extending level with a top surface 300S of tiles 300, i.e. planar tile bearing surface S (see also Fig. 1C) coextends with the top surface 300S of tiles 300.