Trench drain channel

Abstract

A U-shaped trench drain channel and system. The drain channel includes a body having an elongated length between opposing ends. The body further has two side walls, a bottom wall connecting the two side walls and an open top configured to receive a grate. Provided on an exterior surface of the body is at least one U-shaped reinforcing rib with a groove formed therein.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A U-shaped trench drain channel comprising:
 a body having an elongated length between opposing ends, the body further having two side walls, a bottom wall connecting the two side walls and an open top configured to receive a grate, at least one U-shaped reinforcing rib provided on an exterior surface of the body, the reinforcing rib further including a groove formed in the reinforcing rib.   
     
     
         2 . The U-shaped trench drain according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing rib extends at least partially about the two side walls and the bottom wall. 
     
     
         3 . The U-shaped trench drain according to  claim 1 , wherein the groove extends at least partially about the two side walls and the bottom wall in the reinforcing rib. 
     
     
         4 . The U-shaped trench drain according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing rib defines a plane generally perpendicular to a central axis defined along the length of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The U-shaped trench drain according to  claim 1 , wherein the groove is provided in the middle of the reinforcing rib. 
     
     
         6 . The U-shaped trench drain according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least two reinforcing ribs provided on an exterior surface of the body, each of the reinforcing rib including a groove formed in the reinforcing rib. 
     
     
         7 . The U-shaped trench drain according to  claim 1 , wherein one end of the drain channel includes a male connector with a pin extending therefrom, and the other end of the drain channel includes a female connector with an aperture formed therein. 
     
     
         8 . A trench drain system comprising a plurality of interlocked channels, each of the channels being generally U-shaped in cross-section and having an elongated length between opposing ends, the channels having a bottom wall and two upright side walls extending upward from the bottom wall, each channel also including a U-shaped reinforcing rib provided on an exterior surface of the channel, the reinforcing rib further being provided with a groove therein. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing rib extends at least partially about the two side walls and the bottom wall. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the groove extends at least partially about the two side walls and the bottom wall in the reinforcing rib. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing rib defines a plane generally perpendicular to a central axis defined along the length of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the groove is provided in the middle of the reinforcing rib. The system according to  claim 8 , further comprising at least two reinforcing ribs provided on the exterior surface of the channel, each of the reinforcing rib including a groove formed in the reinforcing rib. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein one end of the channel includes a male connector with a pin extending therefrom, and the other end of the channel includes a female connector with an aperture formed therein.