U.S. patent application number 10/456875 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for subgrate drain basin filter.
Invention is credited to Page, Ardle E..
Application Number | 20050067338 10/456875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46301558 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050067338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Page, Ardle E. |
March 31, 2005 |
Subgrate drain basin filter
Abstract
The present invention is a filter insert inside a storm water
inlet with a grate cover and including an inlet with a combination
of curb inlet and grate, and holds the insert within the inlet by
means of a support inserted within a sleeve that rests directly
upon the basin covers' support.
Inventors: |
Page, Ardle E.; (Albany,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ardle E. Page
1455 Center St.
Albany
OR
97322
US
|
Family ID: |
46301558 |
Appl. No.: |
10/456875 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10456875 |
Jun 5, 2003 |
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09991733 |
Nov 20, 2001 |
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6666974 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
210/164 ;
404/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 1/00 20130101; E03F
5/0404 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/164 ;
404/004 |
International
Class: |
E03F 005/06 |
Claims
1 I claim in a storm water inlet basin a) with a combination of a
curb inlet and a perforated cover, b) that rests on a cover support
within a storm water inlet basin, c) with a filter basket assembly
located essentially beneath said perforated cover, d) a support
means to hold said filter basket assembly in position within said
inlet basin comprising a combination of support bars, a bar sleeve
and a continuous bar sleeve formed in the upper peripheral edge of
the filter basket assembly wherein said combination rests directly
upon said cover support, and further said support bars hold a
portion of said continuous bar sleeve in place essentially against
the inside outer walls of said curb inlet by means of support arms,
and further the support bars also hold portions of the continuous
bar sleeve in place along cover supports.
2 Said support means of claim 20 further comprising a front and
rear spreader bar that hold the right and left support bars in
position upon the cover support ledges.
3 The support means of claim 20 further comprising a front spreader
bar and a bypass bridge.
4 The filter basket of claim 20 further comprising a semi rigid
perforated reinforcement within the filter basket that resists
deformation during maintenance.
5 I claim in a storm water inlet basin comprising a) a perforated
cover that rests upon b) a cover support within a top opening of a
storm water inlet basin with c) a basin insert located below said
inlet basin's perforated cover and essentially within said inlet
basin, d) a support structure with a filter basket assembly
suspended thereon wherein said support structure consists of
elongated essentially rigid material inserted into one or more
sleeves formed on an upper periphery portion of said filter basket
wherein said ridged material stretches said sleeve along the cover
support and lays the combination of said sleeves and said
essentially rigid material directly upon said cover support holding
the filter basket in place within said inlet basin.
6 The support structure of claim 24 wherein said elongated
essentially rigid material is a discontinuous metal rod that
bending essentially at the corners at the cover supports inside a
rectangular inlet basin or bending at the cover supports in an
essentially circular configuration inside a circular inlet
basin.
7 The said discontinuous rod of claim 25 further comprising two
open ends that overlap.
8 Said support structure of claim 25 wherein the elongated
essentially rigid material is underpropped across gaps in the cover
support by additional reinforcement such as but not limited to
tubing or sheet metal in angle iron form
9 Said filter bag assembly of claim 24 further comprising a semi
rigid perforated reinforcement within the filter basket that
resists bag deformation.
10 The support structure of claim 24 comprising multiple lengths of
the elongated essentially rigid material.
11 The elongated essentially rigid material of claim 24 comprising
sheet metal.
12 The basin insert of claim 24 comprising one or more filter
bypasses and a by pass bridge to channel storm water over the
bypass opening into inside the filter basket.
13 The by passes of claim 32 located essentially in the corners of
the inlet basin.
44 The bridge of claim 32 consisting of a flap extension to said
sleeve of the bag assembly.
Description
[0001] This application in part discloses and claims subject matter
disclosed in my earlier filed pending application, Ser. No.
09/991,733, Filed Nov. 20, 2001
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a filter for use inside storm
water inlet basins, beneath perforated covers such as perforated
manhole receptacles or a catch basins covered with grates.
[0003] Storm water collection systems are located throughout our
city streets and parking lots providing flood control and drainage.
The storm water needs to be as free as possible from pollutants
before it enters our natural water systems such as streams. To
ensure that our water sources are protected our handling of storm
water is becoming more regulated. In order to meet these concerns,
many inventions have been patented that provide an anti pollution
filter insert system for catch basins and manholes. Most of these
inventions are unnecessarily expensive. The present invention
pertains specifically to storm water inlet basins with perforated
top covers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0004] See above primary patent
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, my invention provides a filter with a support
structure and filter basket which is inexpensive to manufacture,
and is easy to install, remove, or service. Further objects and
advantages of my invention will also become apparent from a
consideration of the drawings and ensuing descriptions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Figure IV is an exploded perspective drawing of my in
subgrate basin insert for a combination grate and curb inlet
including a cut away that shows a by pass opening.
[0007] Figure V is an exploded perspective of my subgrate basin
insert with a discontinuous rod support structure.
[0008] Figure VI is a perspective drawing of my subgrate basin
insert with four support bars.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODMENTS
[0009] Insert for a Grate and Curb Inlet Combination
[0010] In the preferred embodiment of my invention the support
structure comprises the right support bar 44, the left support bar
46, the front bar spreader 58, and the rear bar spreader 56. The
support structure is typically made of eighteen gage galvanized
sheet metal in an angle iron formation with a two inch width on
both the horizontal and vertical angles. The right support bar is
shown inserted in the bar sleeve. The front bar spreader 58 holds
the support bars on their cover support ledges by jamming their
vertical angle between the support bars while the bridge ear 42
holds the spreader in position. The rear spreader is inserted into
the bar sleeve and is also in an angle iron form. It holds the ends
of the support bars in place.
[0011] Both bar spreaders are approximately one inch shorter than
the full width of the basin top opening. The length of the
spreaders exceed the distance between the opposite walls of the
inlet basin by approximately three inches. The rods rest flat on
the cover ledges underneath the perforated cover when the cover is
in place.
[0012] A bag assembly 54 comprises a filter basket 38 and two bar
sleeves 48 and 49. The continuous sleeve 49 is one continuous
length enclosing a right support bar 44 and its bottom right
support arm 62, shown inserted inside the sleeve, and further
suspending across to enclose a left bottom support arm 64 and the
left support bar 46 when assembled. The bag assembly is attached to
the support structure by means of the continuous sleeve 50 and the
bar sleeve 48. These bar sleeves enclose the two support bars and
bottom support arms and the rear bar spreader 56. The filter basket
is made of a porous material with hydraulic openings smaller than
the pollutants intended to be filtered from the storm water. In my
preferred embodiment the bag assembly is made from a polypropylene
geotextile fabric. However this filter may be made of many types of
porous materials for example, cotton, burlap, fiberglass screen,
stainless steel, galvanized steel, or aluminum mesh.
[0013] In my preferred embodiment one or more by pass openings 36
are located in the basin basket walls under a bridge flap 40.
Bridge flap 40 bridges storm water over the bypass openings into
the inside of a filter basket 38. Other bypass means may be
utilized along with this support structure, for example a bypass
looped between the support ledges under a metal bridge as shown in
Figure I bridge 18. Another by pass opening could be added when
necessary by inserting a vertical tubular outlet with the upper lip
rising above the center inside floor of the filter basket.
[0014] In my preferred embodiment, when the apparatus is assembled,
the combination of the right support bar and enwrapping sleeve
rests directly upon the cover support ledge 52 and the left
combination of the same rests directly upon a support ledge (not
shown) essentially on the opposite side of the basin from ledge 52.
There is no intervening support structure between this combination
and the cover support ledge. The support ledges 52 are typically
two inches wide and about two feet long. There are usually only
these two supports in a combination curb and grate inlet basin. The
bottom vertical angle of the support bars' angle iron formed on the
support bars 44 and 46 extends beyond the horizontal length of the
angle iron form to provide a bottom support arm as shown in bottom
right support arm 64. The typical curb and grate inlet has a
permanent basin bar 66 that extends across the basin in front of
the curb inlet parallel with the curb. When my invention is in
place, the support bars are placed so that the extended support
arms are located inside the continuous bar sleeve 50 and extend
under the basin bar 66 into the curb inlet 60. They hold the
continuous bar sleeve along the upper peripheral edge of the filter
basket in place against the outer inside walls of the curb inlet
60. The curb inlet side walls are unique from one inlet to another.
This vertical angle of the lower support bars that extends under
the basin bar 66 is made of flat sheet metal. These are easy to
bend into shape in order to fit the large variety of curb inlet
side walls. This bending is necessary only during an original
installation. During replacement of the bag assembly, there would
be no need to reshape the lower support bars because the entire
support structure can be reused without alteration. A Pillow 67 can
be placed within the filter basket to further remove pollutants by
absorbing hydrocarbons. The extension of the lower support arms
into inside the curb inlet and the holds the peripheral edge of the
filter basket against the curb inlet side walls. This catches the
storm water that flows from the street to behind the basin bar into
the curb inlet and guides the storm water into inside the basin
basket.
[0015] Insert With a Discontinuous Rod Support Structure
[0016] In the single discontinuous rod basin design shown in Figure
V, the support structure consists of a single discontinuous support
rod 80 of elongated material that is essentially rigid. In my
preferred embodiment the support rod comprises one piece of #9
galvanized metal wire. This is essentially resistant to both wear
and corrosion. The discontinuous metal rod bends essentially at the
corners inside a rectangular inlet basin or bending in an
essentially circular configuration inside a circular inlet basin.
When formed to fit a basin, the rod has two ends that bend around
and form an overlap 72 at each end.
[0017] The support rod is inserted into the rod sleeves 82 located
on the upper peripheral lip of the bag assembly 78. The bag
assembly comprises the rod sleeves 82 and the filter basket 74
suspended thereon. This combination of rod and sleeve rests
directly upon the cover support ledge 84 and under the perforated
basin cover 70 holding the apparatus in position on the cover
supports. A basin support may consist of other support structures
other than a ledge. For example the perforated basin cover might
rest on bolts that extend out from the sides of the inlet basin
walls. Across gaps in the cover support 86 additional reinforcement
such as tubing or angle iron 76 may underprop the rod. A Pillow 67
may be placed within the filter basket to further remove pollutants
by absorbing hydrocarbons.5
[0018] The Subgrate Basin Insert With Four Bars
[0019] The preferred embodiment of the subgrate basin insert with
four bars comprises a support structure and a bag assembly 94
suspended thereon. The support structure consists multiple lengths
of elongated essentially rigid material or in my preferred
embodiment four support bars 100. The bag assembly comprises a
filter basket 94 and four bar sleeves 102. The bars stretch the
sleeves across a portion of the inlet cover support ledge 104. The
four bar sleeves enclose four support bars 100. The combination of
support bars and sleeves rest directly upon the cover support
ledges 104 without any intervening structure. Frequently there are
only two cover support ledges in the basin leaving gaps in the
cover ledge 86 on the opposite sides of the rectangle. When there
are gaps in the support angle, angle iron shaped support bars
replace the essentially flat support bars 100, giving additional
strength in order to span inlet basin sides. Each bar extends onto
each of the two opposite ledges. Where the bars require extra
strength to expand across the basin between gaps in the cover ledge
86 the support bars are made of 18 gage galvanized sheet metal in
angle iron form as in support angle iron 76. The ends are then
placed on the ledges and in a corner of the basin in order to hold
the opposite bars in position. The support ledges are typically
about two inches wide. In my preferred embodiment, the support rods
are made of eighteen gage galvanized sheet metal two inches wide
and about inch shorter than the length of the expansion across the
basin, The filter basket is made of a porous material with
hydraulic openings smaller than the pollutants intended to be
filtered from the storm water. In my preferred embodiment, the bag
assembly is made from a polypropylene geotextile fabric. However
this filter may be made of many types of porous materials for
example, cotton, burlap, or stainless steel, galvanized steel,
fiberglass, and aluminum mesh. A Pillow 67 may be placed within the
filter basket to further remove pollutants by absorbing
hydrocarbons.
[0020] Bypass 92 is located in the insides of the filter basket
under the bridge flap allowing storm water to flow easily out
unhindered between the basket and the inlet basin walls. In my
preferred embodiment the bridge is a flap extension of the bar
sleeve. The bridge flap 96 conveys the storm water over the bypass
opening and into the inside of the filter basket 94. The bridge
flap 96 can comprise any suitable metal or fabric. In my preferred
embodiment it is comprised of geotextile material and is an
extension of the filter basket. A Pillow 67 may be placed within
the filter basket to further remove pollutants by absorbing
hydrocarbons.
[0021] Operation of my Invention
[0022] My invention removes and retains storm water pollutants
within a storm water inlet basin 32, 68 and 88. Storm water flows
from the street through the perforated basin cover 34, 70 and 90.
Then it flows across a support structure inserted in its bar
sleeves 48, 76, or rod sleeve 48. The storm water then flows into
the filter basket 38, 74, and 94. The baskets' filter material
permits storm water to flow through the filter basket and into the
basin chamber while retaining pollutants within the filter basket.
The filter's support structure comprises essentially rigid
elongated material for support bars 44,46, 80, and 100 inserted
inside the sleeves that hold the apparatus in position upon the
cover support ledge 52, 84, and 104. The support bars inserted
inside the sleeves rest below the perforated cover 34, 70, 90 and
directly upon the basin cover support ledges. The sleeves also
convey water from the adjacent opening rim of the inlet basin
32.68, and 88 onto the bridge flap 40, 71, and 96 into the interior
of the filter basket 38,74, and 94. The support structure is
connected to the bag assembly by inserting the rod or support bars
into sleeves on the upper peripheral lip of the bag assembly. The
bars place the weight of the filter basket upon the cover support,
while preventing the deformation of the bag assembly. The support
rods or bars form a rectangular or a circular pattern that is
essentially as long as the length and width of the perforated basin
cover. The ends of the support bars extend onto the opposite two
ledges of the basin and prevent the bars from slipping past the
cover support ledge into the basins' lower chamber. In the event of
filter failure, or during high water flows, it is necessary for
water to escape from the filter basket unhindered through a bypass
channel. When the filter basket is made of flexible material it
tends to hang in a circular formation and pulls away from the inlet
basin at the basin corners. When the openings are located in the
corners of the inlet basin the storm water has the maximum space to
flow out of the filter basket into the inlet basin's lower chamber.
A reliable by pass is needed so that the water does not back up
into the street or parking lot and cause a traffic hazard. A Pillow
67 may be placed within the filter basket to further remove
pollutants such as hydrocarbons by absorbing the pollutants.
[0023] The bridge flap 40, 71 and 96 is shown cut away to expose
the bypass openings as shown in 36 and 92. The bridge flap conveys
water from the sleeves over the by pass into inside the filter
basket. This prevents the storm water from prematurely dropping
through the by pass without first passing through the filter
basket.
[0024] The present invention is convenient to install. In the
insert for a grate and curb inlet combination as shown in Figure
IV, first remove the perforated basin cover 34 from the basin
inlet. Next bend the left support arm 62 on the end of the left
support bar 46 until it follows snugly against the left inside of
the curb inlet 60 when the support bar is laid on the left cover
support ledge not shown but opposite cover support 52 and the left
support bar is extended under the basin bar 66. The front of the
bar should extend out of the sleeve about 11/2 inches. Do the same
on the right support bar 44 on the right cover support ledge 52.
Insert the right and left support bars 44 and 62 with the bottom
support arms 62 and 64 going first into the continuous bar sleeve
50. Insert the rear bar spreader 56 into the bar sleeve 48. Lay the
partially assembled apparatus onto the cover support ledges with
both of the bottom support arms extending inside the continuous bar
sleeve under the basin bar 66 into the curb inlet 60. The upper lip
of the filter basket loops between the right and left bottom
support arms. The upper lip of the filter basket needs to be firm
against only the sides of the curb inlet because this is where
essentially all the storm water enters through the curb inlet
opening. Lay the rear bar spreader between the rear ends of the
support bars to keep them positioned upon the support ledges. Lay
the front bar spreader 58 with the shorter side of the angle iron
form down between the right and left support bars 44 and 46 forcing
the support bars to stay in place in the sleeve upon the support
ledges. A Pillow 67 can be placed within the filter basket to
further remove pollutants by absorbing hydrocarbons. With the
apparatus in position replace the perforated basin cover 34. To
remove the apparatus reverse the order of the above procedure.
[0025] Installing a single rod design shown in Figure V, is also
convenient. The rod 80 can be cut from a continuous inexpensive
wire roll and custom fit on site. Bend the rod into a rectangular
pattern so that it fits snugly into the four corners of the basin
inlet 68. Beginning with one side, insert the rod 22 into the bar
sleeves 48 until all four sleeves on all sides of the bag assembly
78 are inserted and slid around onto the full length of the rod.
The last extension of the rod will be double within the sleeve
because it includes the rod overlap 72. Once formed, the rod can be
conveniently reused when renewing the bag assembly without
rebending the rod. Next, insert the assembled apparatus inside the
inlet basin 68 on the cover support ledge 84. Where the support
ledges are on only two sides of the inlet basin, the sides with the
gap in the cover ledge 86 may require additional support for the
support rod. For this, cradle the support rod on angle iron 76 with
the angle iron laying like an "L" so that the top of the "L"
extends between the perforated basin cover and the basin inlets'
opening. With the apparatus installed replace the perforated basin
cover 90. To remove the apparatus reverse the order of the above
procedure.
[0026] To install the rectangle design for the insert with corner
bypasses as shown in Figure VI, first remove the perforated basin
cover 90. Insert the four support bars 100 into the sleeves of the
bag assembly 98. Then lay each inserted bar upon the four cover
support ledges 104 in the inlet basin 88. Where there are only two
parallel cover ledges use sheet metal formed into angle iron 76 to
extend across support gap 86. Place the angle iron support bars
resting the ends of the support bars upon the ledges in the basin
corners so that the remaining two support bars are held in position
upon the cover support ledges. With the apparatus in position
replace the basin cover. To remove the apparatus reverse the order
of the above procedure.
[0027] Servicing the filter insert is convenient. They can be
either vacuumed out or the entire apparatus pulled out by hand and
emptied. If the apparatus is vacuumed the bag assembly needs to be
rigid to resist the suction of the vacuum. The filter basket may
include a semi rigid perforated reinforcement within the filter
basket that resists deformation especially during maintenance. The
bag assembly can be made more rigid with reinforcement such as a
wire screen either built into the bag assembly or laid within the
filter basket.
[0028] Accordingly the reader will see that this invention can be
used to remove pollutants from storm water within an inlet basin
before the water is released down stream from the basin. One can
also see that it is economical to manufacture, install and service.
Although the description above contains many specifications, these
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but
as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently
preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the
invention should be determined by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *