DRAIN PAN FOR MOUNTED WATER EQUIPMENT

BAC DE RECUPERATION POUR EQUIPEMENT A EAU MONTE

English Abstract

A drain pan and drainage system is herein disclosed. The drain pan includes a
basin with a wall mount connected to the basin. A drain hole is formed in a
bottom
surface of the basin. The drain pan also includes at least one side panel
connecting
the basin and the wall mount. The drainage system includes a wall, drain pan
and
water containing device. The water containing device is mounted to the drain
pan and
both are mounted to the wall. The water containing device and drain pan are
mounted
in such a way that the water containing device is at least partially enclosed
by the drain
pan.

French Abstract

Un bac de vidange et un système dévacuation sont décrits. Le bac de vidange comprend une cuvette avec un support mural raccordé à la cuvette. Un orifice dévacuation est formé dans une surface inférieure de la cuvette. Le bac de vidange comprend également au moins un panneau latéral reliant la cuvette et le support mural. Le système dévacuation comprend une paroi, un bac de vidange et un dispositif contenant de leau. Le dispositif contenant de leau est fixé au bac de vidange et les deux sont fixés au mur. Le dispositif contenant de leau et le bac de vidange sont fixés de manière que le dispositif soit au moins partiellement entouré par le bac.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A drain pan comprising:
a basin;
a mounting plate connected to the basin;
a water containing device at least partially coupled to the mounting plate,
wherein the water containing device is at least one of a tankless water
heater,
condensing boiler, non-condensing boiler or steam generator;
a drain hole in a bottom surface of the basin; and
at least one side panel connected to the basin and the mounting plate,
wherein the at least one side panel is formed in a tapered shape,
wherein the mounting plate is formed in a tapered shape.
2. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein the tapered shape of the at least one
side
panel has the greatest width at a location adjacent to the basin.
3. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein the tapered shape of the mounting
plate has
the narrowest width at a location adjacent to the basin.
4. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein the basin includes four side walls
integral with
the bottom surface, wherein each of the four side walls are formed in a
tapered shape
having the narrowest width at locations adjacent to the bottom surface.

5. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate, the at least one
side wall
and the basin are formed in such a way as to enable nested stacking of
multiple drain
pans.
6. A drainage system comprising:
a wall;
a drain pan; and
a water containing device, wherein the water containing device is at least
one of a tankless water heater, condensing boiler, non-condensing boiler or
steam
generator mounted to the wall and the drain pan is mounted to the wall in such
a way
that the water containing device is at least partially enclosed by the drain
pan.
7. The drainage system of claim 6, wherein the drain pan includes:
a mounting plate, wherein the wall is in direct contact with a first side of
the mounting plate and the water containing device is in direct contact with a
second
side of the mounting plate.
8. The drainage system of claim 6, wherein the drain pan includes:
a basin;
a mounting plate connected to the basin;
a drain hole in a bottom surface of the basin; and
at least one side panel connected to the basin and the mounting plate.
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9. The drain pan of claim 8, wherein the at least one side panel is formed
in a
tapered shape.
10. The drain pan of claim 9, wherein the tapered shape of the at least one
side
panel has the greatest width at a location adjacent to the basin.
11. The drain pan of claim 8, wherein the mounting plate is formed in a
tapered
shape.
12. The drain pan of claim 11, wherein the tapered shape of the mounting
plate has
the narrowest width at a location adjacent to the basin.
13. The drain pan of claim 8, wherein the basin includes four side walls
integral with
the bottom surface, wherein each of the four side walls are formed in a
tapered shape
having the narrowest width at locations adjacent to the bottom surface.
14. The drain pan of claim 8, wherein the mounting plate, the at least one
side wall
and the basin are formed in such a way as to enable nested stacking of
multiple drain
pans.
15. A drainage system comprising:
a wall;
a drain pan; and
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a water containing device, wherein the water containing device is at least
one of a tankless water heater, condensing boiler, non-condensing boiler or
steam
generator mounted to the drain pan and the wall simultaneously in such a way
that the
water containing device is at least partially enclosed by the drain pan.
16. The drainage system of claim 15, wherein the drain pan includes:
a mounting plate, wherein the wall is in direct contact with a first side of
the mounting plate and the water containing device is in direct contact with a
second
side of the mounting plate.
17. The drainage system of claim 15, wherein the drain pan includes:
a basin;
a mounting plate connected to the basin;
a drain hole in a bottom surface of the basin; and
at least one side panel connected to the basin and the mounting plate.
18. The drain pan of claim 17 wherein the at least one side panel is formed
in a
tapered shape.
19. The drain pan of claim 18, wherein the tapered shape of the at least
one side
panel has the greatest width at a location adjacent to the basin.
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20. The drain pan of claim 17, wherein the mounting plate is formed in a
tapered
shape.
21. The drain pan of claim 20, wherein the tapered shape of the mounting
plate has
the narrowest width at a location adjacent to the basin.
22. The drain pan of claim 17, wherein the basin includes four side walls
integral with
the bottom surface, wherein each of the four side walls are formed in a
tapered shape
having the narrowest width at locations adjacent to the bottom surface.
23. The drain pan of claim 17, wherein the mounting plate, the at least one
side wall
and the basin are formed in such a way as to enable nested stacking of
multiple drain
pans.
14

Description

CA 02697153 2016-08-02
DRAIN PAN FOR MOUNTED WATER EQUIPMENT
BACKGROUND
Water containing devices are often used within buildings or dwellings.
These buildings may encompass both residential and commercial buildings. These
water containing devices can include any type of tankless water heater, wall
mounted condensing or non-condensing boilers, steam generators or any other
wall
mounted equipment or devices that contain or transfer water or liquid that may
require leak protection or drainage.
Traditionally there have not been drain pans available or used in
conjunction with tankless water heaters or with other wall mounted equipment
requiring them. Most plumbing codes require the use of a drain pan for water
heaters when they are installed in a structure where a leak from the water
heater or
its piping could cause damage to the wall or surrounding structure.
Common practice among installers of these water containing products
often results in the omitting of a drain pan altogether or use of a floor
mounted drain
pan designed for different equipment and is not designed for or compatible
with the
installed water containing product, especially to the extent required to
satisfy
plumbing and building codes or a code official.
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CA 02697153 2010-03-17
SUMMARY
In at least one embodiment, a drain pan apparatus is disclosed. The
drain pan can include a basin with a wall mount connected to the basin. A
drain hole
can be formed in a bottom surface of the basin. The drain pan can also include
at
least one side panel connecting the basin and the wall mount.
In another embodiment, a drain pan apparatus is disclosed. The
drainage system can include a wall, drain pan and water containing device. The
water containing device can be mounted to the drain pan and both can be
mounted
to the wall. The water containing device and drain pan may be mounted in such
a
way that the water containing device is at least partially enclosed by the
drain pan.
In another embodiment, a drain pan apparatus is disclosed. The
drainage system can include a wall, drain pan and water containing device. The
water containing device can be mounted to the wall and the drain pan can be
mounted to the wall. The water containing device and drain pan may be mounted
in
such a way that the water containing device is at least partially enclosed by
the drain
pan.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent
from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof,
which
description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in
which:
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CA 02697153 2010-03-17
Fig. la is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
drainage system.
Fig. lb is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
a drainage system.
Fig. 2a is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a drain pan.
Fig. 2b is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a drain pan.
Fig. 2c is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of a drain pan.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a
drainage system.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a
drainage system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Aspects of the drainage system are disclosed in the following
description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the
drainage
system. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit
or
the scope of the drainage system. Additionally, well-known elements of
exemplary
embodiments of the drainage system will not be described in detail or will be
omitted
so as not to obscure the relevant details of the drainage system. Further, to
facilitate
an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein
follows.
The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example,
instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is
not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other
embodiments.
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CA 02697153 2010-03-17
Likewise, the terms "embodiments of the drainage system" or "embodiments" do
not
require that all embodiments of the drainage system include the discussed
feature,
advantage or mode of operation.
As generally shown in Figs. la-4, an exemplary drainage system can
include a drain pan 10. The drain pan 10 can be used with a water or liquid
containing device 20. The water containing device 20 may be, for example, any
type
of tankless water heater, wall mounted condensing or non-condensing boilers,
steam generators or any other wall mounted equipment or device that contains,
heats or transfers water or liquid that may require leak protection or
drainage. Many
water containing devices 20 are physically attached to interior or exterior
walls of
buildings, both commercial and residential.
In an exemplary embodiment the drain pan 10 can be formed, for
example, to protect the structure of a building from potential water damage
resulting
from potential leaks of a water containing device 20, a tankless water heater
for
example, or from the piping 22a and 22b serving as the water intake and
outlet. The
drain pan 10 can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes. In an exemplary
embodiment, as shown in Figs. la-4, the drain pan 10 can be formed to provide
protection from splashing and spraying water by partially enclosing the water
containing device 20 or piping 22a and 22b.
In another exemplary embodiment the drain pan 10 can be mounted to
the same mounting structure or wall 30 as the water containing device 20 and
thereby provide water protection to surrounding areas of the wall 30 or other
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CA 02697153 2010-03-17
surrounding structure. The drain pan 10 can be shaped to have a low profile so
as
to decrease the required surrounding space.
As shown in Figs. la and 1 b, water containing device 20 can be
mounted to the drain pan 10 and the wall 30 simultaneously. This configuration
can
provide various mounting configurations, for example, the drain pan 10 can be
mounted to the wall 30 either below the water containing device 20 or in such
a way
that the water containing device 20 is at least partially within or enclosed
by the drain
pan 10. The drain pan 10 can be mounted to a wall 30 or alternate structure
via
bolts, screws or other desired fastening device through the mounting holes 14
on a
mounting plate 12. The water containing device 20 can also be mounted to the
wall
30 via bolts, screws or other desired fastening device through the mounting
holes 21
on the mounting plate 12, which can ultimately connect or mount the water
containing device 20 to both the wall 30 and the drain pan 10.
In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, water containing
device 20 can be mounted to the wall 30 and the drain pan 10 can be mounted to
the wall 30 at different mounting points. This configuration can provide
various
mounting configurations, for example, the drain pan 10 can be mounted to the
wall
30 either below the water containing device 20 or in such a way that the water
containing device 20 is at least partially within or enclosed by the drain pan
10 or in
such a way that piping 22a and 22b are at least partially within or enclosed
by the
drain pan 10. .The drain pan 10 can be mounted to a wall 30 or alternate
structure
via bolts, screws or other desired fastening device through the mounting holes
14 on
a mounting plate 12. The water containing device 20 can also be mounted to the
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CA 02697153 2016-08-02
,
,
wall 30 via bolts, screws or other desired fastening device through mounting
holes
24 on the water containing device 20, such that the water containing device 20
and
drain pan 10 are independently connected or mounted to wall 30.
In an exemplary embodiment, the drain pan 10 can include basin 11
which can act as a drainage conduit or funnel for water or other fluid that
may leak
from the water containing device 20. The basin 11 can include four side walls,
each
tapered and narrowing in width toward the bottom surface of the basin 11. For
example, the top edge of one of the sidewalls can have a width of about 10" at
a top
edge and a width of about 9.5" on the bottom edge. The size and shape of the
side
walls may vary according to the specific application or any other desired
configuration. The connection of the side walls and the bottom surface can be
formed as edged corners or they can be rounded as shown in Figs. 2a-2c.
The mounting plate 12 can be integrally formed with basin 11 and may
also be formed with a tapered shape or any other desired shape. For example,
mounting plate 12 can have a top edge with a width of about 19" and a width of
about 18" on a bottom edge. The size and shape of the mounting plate may vary
according to the specific application or any other desired configuration. The
basin
11 may also include a drain hole 15 that may be formed to incorporate a
standard
drain fitting 15.1, for example about 1", typical with and compatible with
other drain
pans potentially on the market and in common use in the plumbing and heating
industries.
In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, drain pan 10
may have a low-profile configuration. For example, mounting plate 12 can have
a top
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CA 02697153 2016-08-02
edge with a width of about 19" and a height of about 5", while the basin 11
can have
a front wall with a height of about 2". The size and shape of the side walls
may vary
according to the specific application or any other desired configuration. The
connection of the side walls and the bottom surface can be formed as edged
corners
or they can be rounded. The size and shape of the mounting plate may vary
according to the specific application or any other desired configuration. The
basin 11
may also include a drain hole 15 that may be formed to incorporate a standard
drain
fitting 15.1, for example about 1", typical with and compatible with other
drain pans
potentially on the market and in common use in the plumbing and heating
industries.
The drain pan may also include side panels 13. These side panels 13
can be tapered from their top edge to basin 11 in such a way as to add
structural
strength between the mounting plate 12 and the basin 11. The side panels 13
may
also increase splash/spray protection for wall 30 or surrounding structure
from the
water containing device 30 or piping 22a and 22b.
The drain pan 10 can be formed or manufactured of polymer material
by thermoform process or any other process deemed appropriate to provide a
proper finished product. The drain pan 10 may also be formed or manufactured
of
metal material or any other desired material capable of funneling or
channeling
water and retaining a rigid shape. The drain pan 10 material can also have
significant strength to enable a water containing device to be mounted thereto
by
bolts, screws, other fasteners or connecting material.
The drain pan 10 may also be manufactured in alternative sizes and
shapes as requested by other equipment manufacturers not limited to tankless
water
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CA 02697153 2010-03-17
heaters, boilers or other water containing devices mentioned above, to meet
their
specific size needs. The size and shape of the drain pan 10 can also enable
"nesting" in boxes of multiple pans to facilitate easier and more economical
shipping
and storage.
This drain pan 10 can also protect against the potential leaking from
water containing devices without taking up floor space which is one of the
positive
attributes of using devices such as tankless water heaters or wall mounted
boilers.
Furthermore, the drain pan 10 can also be manufactured to size and shape
specifications to serve other pieces of wall mounted equipment requiring
protective
drain pans.
This drain pan 10 can save consumers and insurance companies
exorbitant costs in water damage repairs from failures of above mentioned
water
retaining equipment and related piping as well as potentially provide for a
safe and
efficient system for drain protection of other equipment such as relief
valves,
condensate drains, backflow preventers, etc. without compromising valuable
floor
space.
The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the
principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention.
However, the drain pan and drainage system should not be construed as being
limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations
of the
embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as
illustrative rather than restrictive.
Accordingly, it should be appreciated that
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CA 02697153 2010-03-17
variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art
without
departing from the scope of the drain pan and drainage system as defined by
the
following claims.
9

Representative Drawing