PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2022902461 titled “A CHANNEL STRIP FOR DRAINS” and filed on 26 August 2022, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a channel strip. In a particular form the present disclosure relates to a channel strip for use as a drain in underground openings such as tunnels, although its application need not be so limited.

BACKGROUND

[0003] When underground openings such as tunnels or caverns are created, ground water invariably enters the opening to various degrees. In all these cases water ingress is undesirable. In many city locations the water is contaminated. In the case of a road tunnel, a wet road is slippery for motorists. Water is also troublesome in rail tunnels for similar reasons. Water in mining tunnels becomes dangerous. Heavy equipment moves on unsealed roads underground, and wet, unsealed roads are dangerous.

[0004] Attached to the roof of tunnels are all sorts of electrical equipment ranging from signs to ventilation fans to name but a few. This equipment runs on high and low voltage. There is a vast array of cable trays, distribution boards and electrical equipment that is at risk of becoming wet if water ingress is not controlled.

[0005] Once a tunnel is commissioned and operating, servicing such electrical equipment is extremely expensive. Repairing or redirecting leaks needs to be done quickly and safely.

[0006] There are various methods used to waterproof tunnels when they are built. Invariably, all ultimately leak. The degree of leaking can be a little or a lot depending on the method of initial waterproofing, ground conditions and the amount of time that has passed since initial commissioning.

[0007] Attempting to inject leaks typically moves the leaks somewhere else, and the new leak location often won’t become evident for some time.

[0008] Using epoxy sheets glued to the tunnel surface is generally messy, time consuming and the joint must be dry, making it unsuitable for active leaks. [0009] Most current waterproofing methods rely on a layer of shotcrete being applied to the waterproofing materials after installation. This makes them compliant with fire department requirements and also acts as a degree of water sealant itself.

[0010] The current popular method of waterproofing involves a plastic drain. The process is:

1. Dig the tunnel using road headers or similar.

2. Spray shotcrete into the inside of the tunnel.

3. Observe areas of water ingress.

4. Drill holes of approximately 40mm to “attract” water in a line at approximate right angles to the direction of tunnelling.

5. Nail Plastic Strip Drain over the 40mm holes (weep holes) to redirect the water to the sides of the tunnel.

6. Spray shotcrete over the plastic strip drains. The shotcrete helps somewhat with sealing and provides a fireproof cover to the strip drain. Plastic strip drain is not fire retardant without shotcrete.

7. As tunnelling progresses, the pavement is laid, and all electrical services begin to be installed.

8. When tunnelling is complete, the waterproofing is inspected. Usually this is months after initial waterproofing has begun and the ground conditions have changed, and the ground has “settled”.

9. This is when the second round of strip drain installation is undertaken repeating steps 5 and 6 above.

[0011] Shotcreting is messy. It needs room for equipment for application. There is overspray on the pavement, electrical assets and any other barriers and screens that may be present during shotcrete application. A lot of time is spent covering the assets to protect them from shotcrete overspray.

[0012] Generally, assets aren’ t protected particularly well and there needs to be a lot of cleaning and sometimes replacement of damaged assets. This is slow and costly.

[0013] These are the same issues faced with new tunnels, but with the added difficulty of traffic. To undertake waterproofing after a tunnel has opened, there needs to be closure that happens during off-peak times. There is a small window of opportunity to make the waterproofing repairs and closing the tunnel is costly.

[0014] It is against this background that the present disclosure has been developed.

SUMMARY

[0015] According to a first aspect, there is provided a channel strip comprising an elongate body comprising at least one bend line, along which the channel strip is adapted to be bent.

[0016] In one form, the or each bend line extends transversely on the body.

[0017] In one form, the channel strip comprises a plurality of the bend lines.

[0018] In one form, the plurality of transversely extending bend lines are spaced apart along the body.

[0019] According to a further aspect there is provided a channel strip comprising an elongate body comprising a lengthwise extending conduit and a plurality of bend lines extending transversely on the body, and spaced apart lengthwise along the body, and wherein the channel strip is adapted to be bent at each bend line.

[0020] In one form, the plurality of the transversely extending bend lines are equispaced lengthwise along the strip.

[00 1] In one form, in an alternative, the transversely extending bend lines are unequally spaced lengthwise along the strip.

[0022] In one form, the plurality of the transversely extending bend lines are parallel to each other, and the channel strip is adapted to be bent longitudinally at each bend line.

[0023] In one form, an entire length of the body comprises bend lines.

[0024] In one form, only a portion of a length of the body comprises bend lines.

[0025] In one form, in an alternative, not all transversely extending bend lines are parallel to each other.

[0026] In one form, the channel strip comprises a central conduit portion and an attachment flange extending to each side of the central conduit portion. [0027] In one form, the central conduit portion comprises a rectilinear cross-sectional shape.

[0028] In one form, the central conduit portion comprises a floor, and a pair of side walls.

[0029] In one form, the or each bend line extends across the floor and down the walls.

[0030] In one form, the central conduit portion comprises a cross-sectional shape of an isosceles trapezoid.

[0031] In one form, in an alternative, the central conduit portion comprises a curved cross-sectional shape.

[0032] In one form, the or each bend line comprises a rib.

[0033] In one form, each of the ribs are inverted, or sunken.

[0034] In one form, in an alternative, each of the ribs are outwardly protruding.

[0035] In one form, the or each inverted rib comprises a pair of angled, converging sides.

[0036] In one form, the or each rib comprises a V-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0037] In one form, the or each rib comprises a U-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0038] In one form, the width of each rib increases as it extends toward each corner formed at the intersection of the floor and the walls.

[0039] In one form, the width of each rib then narrows to its original width as it extends to a notch.

[0040] In one form, there is a bevel to either side of each rib at each end of each rib.

[0041] In one form, each of the attachment flanges comprises a notch aligned with each bend line in the central conduit portion. These notches can be considered to form a part of the bend line.

[0042] In one form, the channel strip is made from a metal.

[0043] In one form, the channel strip is formed using a pressing process.

[0044] In one form, the channel strip is made from a polymer. [0045] In one form, the channel strip is formed using a molding process.

[0046] According to a further aspect, there is provided a channel strip comprising an elongate body comprising a central conduit portion and an attachment flange extending to each side of the central conduit portion, and a plurality of bend lines extending transversely on the body, and spaced apart lengthwise along the body, each of the attachment flanges comprises a notch aligned with each bend line, and wherein the channel strip is adapted to be bent at each bend line.

[0047] According to a further aspect, there is provided a channel strip comprising an elongate body comprising a cross-sectional shape comprising a central conduit portion of rectilinear shape and an attachment flange extending to each side of the central conduit portion, the central conduit portion comprising a plurality of transversely extending bend lines, which are equispaced lengthwise along the strip and parallel to each other, along which bend lines the channel strip can be bent longitudinally.

[0048] For ease of description, a channel strip embodying the present features is described below in its usual in use position as shown in the accompanying drawings and terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal etc., may be used with reference to this usual position. However, the channel strip may be manufactured, transported, sold, or used in orientations other than that described and shown here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0049] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0050] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a channel strip;

[0051] Figure 2 is a top view of the channel strip of Figure 1;

[0052] Figure 3 is an end view of the channel strip of Figure 1;

[0053] Figure 4 is a side view of the channel strip of Figure 1;

[0054] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a strip assembly comprising one channel strip overlapped with another channel strip lengthwise;

[0055] Figure 6 is a top view of the strip assembly of Figure 5;

[0056] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the strip assembly of Figure 6 taken at line B-B; [0057] Figure 8 is an isometric view of a strip assembly comprising one channel strip intersecting with another channel strip at a right angle;

[0058] Figure 9 is a top view of the strip assembly of Figure 8;

[0059] Figure 10 is a side view of the strip assembly of Figure 8;

[0060] Figure 11 is an isometric view of a strip assembly comprising one channel strip overlapped with another channel strip at an angle;

[0061] Figure 12 is a top view of the strip assembly of Figure 11;

[0062] Figure 13 is an end view of the strip assembly of Figure 11 ;

[0063] Figure 14 is an isometric view of a further channel strip;

[0064] Figure 15 a top view of the channel strip of Figure 14;

[0065] Figure 16 is an end view of the channel strip of Figure 14;

[0066] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the channel strip of Figure 14;

[0067] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0068] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a channel strip 1 comprising an elongate body comprising a cross-sectional shape comprising a central conduit portion 2, and an attachment flange 4 extending to each side of the central conduit portion 2.

[0069] The central conduit portion 2 comprises a cross-sectional shape which is substantially constant throughout its length, and which defines a conduit. In the illustrated example the central conduit portion 2 comprises an isosceles trapezoid cross-sectional shape, but other shapes can be employed so long as they can define a conduit.

[0070] The central conduit portion 2 of the channel strip 1 comprises a plurality of transversely extending bend lines 10, along which bend lines 10 the channel strip 1 can be bent longitudinally. In the illustrated example the bend lines 10 are equispaced lengthwise along the strip 1, and parallel to each other. In non-illustrated alternatives, spacing may be varied and/or bend lines non-parallel if this is required by the intended application.

[0071] The central conduit portion 2 comprises a floor 2 A, and a pair of side walls 2B (see Figure 16). Each bend line 10 extends across the floor 2A and down the walls 2B. An open channel conduit is defined, which is closed by a working surface once the channel strip 1 is secured to the working surface.

[0072] Each pair of adjacent bend lines 10 defines a transversely extending, elongate portion 2C (see Figure 9) of the central conduit portion 2 between them.

[0073] Each bend line 10 comprises an inverted rib 11 (see Figure 13). Each inverted rib 11 is sunken as opposed to protruding. Each rib 11 comprises a pair of angled, converging sides 12. The ribs 11 of strip 1 comprise a generally V-shaped cross-section.

[0074] Each of the attachment flanges 4 comprises a notch 20 which is aligned with each bend line 10 in the central conduit portion 2. These notches 20 ensure that the attachment flanges 4 do not impede operation of the bend lines 10. If the attachment flanges 4 are not present, then the notches 20 are not required.

[0075] Each pair of adjacent notches 20 defines an attachment flange tab 4a between them. For each portion 2a of the central conduit portion 2 then there is provided a pair of attachment flanges 4. Each attachment flange tab 4a comprises an attachment hole 6.

[0076] The width of each inverted rib 11 increases as it extends toward each corner formed at the intersection of the floor 2 A and the walls 2B. The width of each inverted rib 11 then narrows to its original width as it extends to a notch 20. There is a bevel 14 to either side of each end of each rib 11.

[0077] A strip of a foam tape 8 is adhered to each of the attachment flange tabs 4a to provide a seal against leaks. This tape 8 may also comprise an adhesive to aid securement of the channel strip 1 to a working surface.

[0078] A metal frame channel strip 1 is illustrated. A metal is preferred to a polymer for its fire resistance. A 316-grade stainless steel is good for corrosion resistance. Nevertheless, other possibilities such as alternate metals, and even polymers or composites can be envisaged.

[0079] The metal channel strip 1 can be formed by one or more pressing operations. A first pressing operation might form the central conduit portion 2 and the attachment flanges 4, and a second might form the ribs 11 and notches 20. [0080] In a typical use, the channel strip 1 is attached to a working surface, such as an inside surface of a tunnel, and in use, it redirects groundwater away from an overhead, horizontal plane to a vertical plane at the walls of the tunnel where standard drainage infrastructure can deal with redirection.

[0081] Advantageously, the channel strip 1 can be bent at one or more of the bend lines 10, as required, to conform it to the shape of the working surface. Bending is affected by plastic deformation in the region of the ribs 11. Bending occurs at the ribs 11 preferentially. Bending at the ribs 11 and notches 20 can be accommodated by compression of one or more of the rib 11 and notch 20 combinations along the length of the channel strip 1, which may result in at least a partial reduction of a cross-sectional area of these. The bevels 14 provide additional clearance for this partial reduction of rib 11 cross-sectional area.

[0082] Suitable fasteners can be driven through as many of the attachment holes 6 as necessary to effect securement of the channel strip 1 to the working surface in an expeditious fashion.

[0083] Referring now to Figures 5 through 7, where there are illustrated two channel strips 1 partially overlapped endwise to form a drain. As many channel strips 1 as is required can be overlapped lengthwise in this fashion to form a drain of the required length. Preferably, any upstream strip 1 overlaps on an outer side of an adjacent downstream strip 1 to reduce likelihood for leaks.

[0084] Referring now to Figures 8 through 10, where there are illustrated two channel strips which intersect at a right angle. This might occur where a vertically extending strip meets a horizontally extending one. One strip la comprises an end which is cut at an angle which is complementary to at an angle at which the end of the other strip lb is cut. In the case of the illustrated example, both strips la and lb are cut at a mirrored 45° angle. The extent of mirroring extends to alignment of the bend lines 10 in each of the channel strips la and lb.

[0085] Referring now to Figures 11 through 13, where there are illustrated two channel strips 1, where one strip 1c converges into another at a 30° angle so as to form ‘a branch’. The converging strip 1c overlaps on an outer side of the through strip 1 to reduce a likelihood for leaks. A plurality of the flange tabs 4a, as well as a corresponding portion of a side wall of the central conduit portion 2 of the outer, converging strip 1c are removed to facilitate this angled overlap.

[0086] Referring now to Figures 14 through 17, where there is illustrated a further form of the channel strip 1A. Those parts of the channel strip 1A which are identical (or near- identical) to corresponding parts shown in channel strip 1 of Figures 1 through 4, will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. [0087] The ribs 11 of strip 1 A are deeper than those of strip 1 and comprise a generally U-shaped cross- sectional shape. The bevels 14 of strip 1A are larger than those of strip 1 also. This modified geometry permits a higher degree of deformation at each bend line 10, because there is a greater area available for closing during bending operations.

[0088] Additional shallow ribs 30 are provided on a flat top of each strip portion 2C to improve stiffness and prevent flexure or ‘oil-canning’ in this region. Oil-canning is defined as moderate deformation or buckling of sheet material, particularly common with flat sheet metal surfaces.

[0089] The present disclosure provides a channel strip which readily conforms to the shape of the working surface, and which is quickly secured to the working surface. Being readily configured into overlapping, intersecting and converging arrangements the channel strip is adapted to form a part of a broader drain system. When formed from stainless steel, the channel strip is also fire and corrosion resistant.

[0090] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0091] It will be understood that the terms “comprise” and “include” and any of their derivatives (e.g. comprises, comprising, includes, including) as used in this specification, and the claims that follow, is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which the term refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

[0092] In some cases, a single embodiment may, for succinctness and/or to assist in understanding the scope of the disclosure, combine multiple features. It is to be understood that in such a case, these multiple features may be provided separately (in separate embodiments), or in any other suitable combination. Alternatively, where separate features are described in separate embodiments, these separate features may be combined into a single embodiment unless otherwise stated or implied. This also applies to the claims which can be recombined in any combination. That is a claim may be amended to include a feature defined in any other claim. Further a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[0093] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure is not restricted in its use to the particular application or applications described. Neither is the present disclosure restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope as set forth and defined by the following claims.