Tileable drain systems and related methods

• US 10,106,970 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2012
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schluter Systems LP
• Original Assignee: Schluter Systems LP
• Inventors: Plank, Reinhard H., Gerolimatos, Sean P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deery, Erin
• Application Number:
  US13/681,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20130318705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,164 Days
• Field of Search: 4612, 4613
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/0407 Floor drains for indoor use
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/0408 specially adapted for showers
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/0409 Devices for preventing seepage around the floor drain
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A tile installation comprises a plurality of surface tiles installed upon a surface, the plurality of surface tiles defining a perimeter area that at least partially circumscribes a drain area. A drain fitting is installed within the drain area. A frame is in fluid communication with the drain fitting, the frame including: i) an at least partially horizontal support surface; and ii) installation block receiving structure, with which an installation block can be mated. A drain tile support is removably fittable within the frame, the drain tile support including an upper surface to which a drain tile can be attached, and at least one support feature extending away from the upper surface and restable upon the support surface of the frame.

Claims

1. A tile installation, comprising:

a plurality of surface tiles installed upon a surface, the plurality of surface tiles defining a perimeter area that at least partially circumscribes a drain area;

a drain fitting, installed within the drain area;

a frame, in fluid communication with the drain fitting and being laterally adjustable relative to the drain fitting when seated on the drain fitting, the frame including;

i) an at least partially horizontal support surface;

ii) an installation block receiving structure, with which an installation block can be mated; and

iii) a plurality of vertical spacers extending upwardly from the frame, the plurality of vertical spacers providing a template for vertically spacing surface tiles relative to the frame;

an adhesive extending beneath one or more surface tiles and above the at least partially horizontal support surface of the frame, the adhesive coupling the one or more surface tiles to the at least partially horizontal support surface of the frame, each of the one or more surface tiles resting upon one or more of the plurality of vertical spacers; and

a drain tile support, removably fittable within the frame, the drain tile support including an upper surface, the upper surface operable to receive and support a drain tile, and at least one support feature extending away from the upper surface and restable upon the at least partially horizontal support surface of the frame.

2. The tile installation of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of some of the surface tiles abut a plane extending upwardly from a portion of the installation block receiving structure.

3. The tile installation of claim 1, wherein all structure of the frame and the drain tile support is positioned at least the distance of a tile thickness away from an upper surface of the tile installation, so as to be substantially hidden from view when a drain tile is supported by the upper surface of the drain tile support.

4. The tile installation of claim 1, further comprising an opening defined between the upper surface of drain tile support and the drain fitting, the opening providing an area for drainage of liquid into the drain fitting.

5. The tile installation of claim 1, further comprising a drain tile attached to the upper surface of the drain tile support, and wherein an opening is defined between edges of the drain tile and surface tiles adjacent to the drain tile to allow drainage of liquid through the opening and into the drain fitting.

6. The tile installation of claim 5, wherein the upper surface of the drain tile support is substantially covered by the drain tile.

7. The tile installation of claim 5, wherein a measureable, vertical distance is defined between a bottom of the support feature and a top of the upper surface of the drain tile support, so as to elevate an upper surface of the drain tile substantially level with an upper surface of the surface tiles adjacent to the drain tile.

8. The tile installation of claim 5, wherein the drain tile is substantially centered within, and circumscribed by, the plurality of surface tiles.

9. The tile installation of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the drain tile support includes a bondable interface attached thereto.

10. The tile installation of claim 1, wherein the at least one support feature includes a pliant material attached thereto, the pliant material providing a pliable interface between the support feature and the at least partially horizontal support surface of the frame.

11. The tile installation of claim 10, wherein the pliant material substantially encases a foot of the at least one support feature and provides a pliable interface between the foot of the support feature and a support feature receiving notch formed in the frame.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the one or more of the plurality of vertical spacers are encompassed by the adhesive extending between the one or more surface tiles and the frame.

13. A tileable drain assembly, comprising:

a frame seated on and laterally adjustable relative to a drain fitting installed within a drain area, the frame including;

i) an at least partially horizontal support surface;

ii) installation block receiving structure with which an installation block can be removably mated; and

iii) a plurality of vertical spacers extending upwardly from the frame,

an adhesive extending beneath one or more surface tiles and above the at least partially horizontal support surface of the frame, the adhesive coupling the one or more surface tiles to the at least partially horizontal support surface of the frame, each of the one or more surface tiles resting upon one or more of the plurality of vertical spacers; and

a drain tile support, removably mateable with the frame, the drain tile support including an upper surface, the upper surface operable to receive and support a drain tile, and at least one support feature extending away from the upper surface and restable upon the at least partially horizontal support surface of the frame.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising an opening defined between the support feature and the drain fitting, the opening providing an area for drainage of liquid into the drain fitting.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the upper surface of the drain tile support includes a bondable interface attached thereto.

16. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one support feature includes a pliant material attached thereto, the pliant material providing a pliable interface between the support feature and the frame.

17. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising an installation block, removably fittable within the installation block receiving structure, the installation block providing a template that allows adjacent surface tiles to be installed while creating an opening between the adjacent tiles and a drain tile supported by the upper surface.

18. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a bondable interface attached to an underside of the frame, the bondable interface providing an improved bonding interface between the frame and underlying support structure.

19. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the one or more of the plurality of vertical spacers are encompassed by the adhesive extending between the one or more attached surface tiles and the frame.