Drainage channels and methods for making drainage channels
AssigneeACO Polymer Products, Inc.
InventorsDerek Humphries, James Allen McConnell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drainage channel includes a first sidewall provided with a first rail member extending along a longitudinal axis of the drainage channel. A second sidewall extends along the longitudinal axis of the drainage channel with the first and second sidewalls at least partially defining an interior area of the drainage channel. A first locking insert is at least partially positioned within a first rail opening of the first rail member, with the first locking insert including a first insert opening. Further examples include methods of making a drainage channel.
Claims20
A drainage channel comprising:
- a first sidewall provided with a first rail member extending along a longitudinal axis of the drainage channel, the first rail member including a first rail opening;
- a second sidewall extending along the longitudinal axis of the drainage channel, wherein the first and second sidewalls at least partially define an interior area of the drainage channel;
- and
- a first locking insert at least partially positioned within the first rail opening of the first rail member, the first locking insert including a first insert opening.
A drainage channel comprising:
- a first sidewall provided with a first rail member extending along a longitudinal axis of the drainage channel;
- a second sidewall provided with a second rail member extending along the longitudinal axis of the drainage channel, wherein the first and second sidewalls at least partially define an interior area of the drainage channel;
- a first locking insert attached to the first rail member and defining a first insert opening;
- a second locking insert attached to the second rail member and defining a second insert opening;
- a locking bar attached to the first and second insert openings of the first and second locking inserts;
- and
- a cover extending across an upper opening of the interior area of the drainage channel and attached to the locking bar.
A method of making a drainage channel comprising the steps of:
- (I) providing a first rail member with a first rail opening;
- (II) attaching a first locking insert to the first rail opening of the first rail member;
- and then
- (III) pouring a material into a channel mold to provide a channel form with a first form sidewall and a second form sidewall with the first rail member and the first locking insert being embedded within the first form sidewall of the channel form;
- and then
- (IV) solidifying the channel form into a solid channel body including the first solid sidewall and a second solid sidewall such that the first rail member and the first locking insert are integrally embedded within the first solid sidewall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.