U.S. patent application number 12/070645 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for half and half gate.
Invention is credited to Terry A. Flury.
Application Number | 20090208289 12/070645 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40955271 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090208289 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flury; Terry A. |
August 20, 2009 |
Half and half gate
Abstract
The present invention comprises a sewer water gate to be located
at the opening to a subsurface catch basin of a storm drain system
that will exclude trash and debris from the system while still
permitting a flow of water, but which will partially open to allow
full access for water and entrained material when the rate of flow
is sufficiently high while still obstructing the flow of heavier
materials.
Inventors: |
Flury; Terry A.; (Cypress,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DON E. ERICKSON
STE.104 #627, 7668 EL CAMINO REAL
LA COSTA
CA
92009
US
|
Family ID: |
40955271 |
Appl. No.: |
12/070645 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 5/046 20130101;
E03F 5/041 20130101; E03F 5/0401 20130101; E03F 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/94 |
International
Class: |
E02B 7/40 20060101
E02B007/40 |
Claims
1. A gate system to be located at the opening to a subsurface catch
basin of a storm drain system, the opening having a given height
and width, the gate system for blocking leaves, litter and other
debris from entering the catch basin, the gate system comprising:
(a) a gate frame sized to substantially occupy the catch basin
opening, the gate frame consisting of a pair of parallel side
brackets connected to a lower gate bracket and to an upper gate
bracket, the upper and lower gate brackets sized to span the width
of the catch basin opening, wherein; (b) the lower gate bracket is
comprised of a fixed gate to obstruct the passage of debris; and
(c) the upper gate bracket having rotatable means for receiving an
upper gate, the upper gate to obstruct the passage of debris, and
wherein when a specified pressure of overflow water and debris
impacts the upper gate portion, the upper gate portion will rotate
to an open position, permitting water and debris to flow over the
fixed lower gate and into the catch basin.
2. The gate system of claim 1 wherein the fixed lower gate is
perforated to permit the flow of water into the catch basin.
3. The gate system of claim 1 wherein the rotatable upper gate is
perforated to permit the flow of water into the catch basin
4. The gate system of claim 1 wherein the two parallel side
brackets additionally include means for bracing the upper gate
portion in a closed position.
5. The gate system of claim 4 additionally including bias means for
biasing the rotatable upper gate against the bracing means.
6. The gate system of claim 5 wherein the bias means is selected
number of magnets having a selected magnetic strength.
7. The gate system of claim 1 wherein the rotatable means is a
hinge sized to substantially span the width of the catch basin
opening.
8. The gate system of claim 1 additionally including filtration
means extending from the lower gate portion into the subsurface
catch basin.
9. The gate system of claim 8 wherein the filtration means is
constructed of an anti-microbial material.
10. A gate system to be located at the opening to a subsurface
catch basin of a storm drain system, the opening having a given
height and width, the gate system for blocking leaves, litter and
other debris from entering the catch basin, the gate system
comprising: (a) a gate frame sized to substantially occupy the
catch basin opening, the gate frame consisting of a pair of
parallel side brackets connected to a lower gate bracket and to an
upper gate bracket, the upper and lower gate brackets sized to span
the width of the catch basin opening, the parallel side brackets
including means for bracing the upper gate portion in a closed
position, wherein; (b) the lower gate bracket is comprised of a
fixed perforated gate to permit the flow of groundwater while
obstructing the passage of debris; and (c) the upper gate bracket
having rotatable means for receiving an upper gate, the upper gate
having perforations to permit the flow of groundwater while
obstructing the passage of debris, and wherein when a specified
pressure of overflow water and debris impacts the upper gate, the
upper gate will rotate to an open position, permitting water and
debris to flow over the fixed lower gate and into the catch
basin.
11. The gate system of claim 10 including bias means for biasing
the rotatable upper gate against the bracing means.
12. The gate system of claim 11 wherein the bias means is a
selected number of magnets having a selected magnetic strength.
13. The gate system of claim 10 wherein the rotatable means is a
hinge sized to substantially span the width of the catch basin
opening,.
14. The gate system of claim 10 wherein the rotatable means is a
selected number of hinges spaced along the upper bracket.
15. The gate system of claim 10 wherein the rotatable means is
spring loaded.
16. The gate system of claim 1 additionally including filtration
means extending from the lower gate portion into the subsurface
catch basin.
17. The gate system of claim 8 wherein the filtration means is
constructed of an anti-microbial material.
18. The gate system of claim 8 wherein the filtration means is
constructed of a hydrocarbon absorption material.
19. A gate system to be located at the opening to a subsurface
catch basin of a storm drain system, the opening having a given
height and width, the gate system for blocking leaves, litter and
other debris from entering the catch basin, the gate system
comprising: (a) a gate frame sized to substantially occupy the
catch basin opening, the gate frame consisting of a pair of
parallel side brackets connected to a lower gate bracket and to an
upper gate bracket, the upper and lower gate brackets sized to span
the width of the catch basin opening, the parallel side brackets
including means for bracing the upper gate portion in a closed
position, wherein; (b) the lower gate bracket comprised of a fixed
perforated gate to permit the flow of groundwater while obstructing
the passage of debris; (c) the upper gate bracket having rotatable
means for receiving an upper gate, the upper gate having
perforations to permit the flow of groundwater while obstructing
the passage of debris; (d) the lower bracket additionally including
filtration means extending from the lower gate bracket into the
subsurface catch basin; (e) the gate system including bias means
for biasing the rotatable upper gate against the bracing means; and
wherein when a specified pressure of overflow water and debris
impacts the upper gate, the upper gate will rotate to an open
position, permitting water and debris to flow over the fixed lower
gate and into the catch basin.
20. The gate system of claim 19 wherein the bias means is a
selected number of magnets having a selected magnetic strength.
21. The gate system of claim 19 wherein the rotatable means is a
hinge sized to substantially span the width of the catch basin
opening,.
22. The gate system of claim 19 wherein the rotatable means is a
selected number of hinges spaced along the upper bracket.
23. The gate system of claim 19 wherein the rotatable means is
spring loaded.
24. The gate system of claim 19 wherein the filtration means is
constructed of an anti-microbial material.
25. The gate system of claim 19 wherein the filtration means is
constructed of a hydrocarbon absorption material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A rotatable drain grate in an opening into a sewer system
which when closed retains trash and debris upstream from the
opening while permitting slow flow of water, and which pivotally
opens when confronted with high rates of water flow to allow
overflow water into the sewer while restraining the heavier
debris.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Storm drains such as are found in gutters and drainage
channels, receive trash, cuttings, trimmings and other debris
constantly throughout the year and are subject to clogging. Despite
regular sweeping upstream from the opening, considerable amounts of
trash will enter the drain system, while still permitting the slow
flow of water. Ground water run-off frequently carries petroleum
products with it. Such pollutants include oil, gasoline, greases,
etc. that originate in streets, parking lots, service garages, etc.
Pollution and contamination of waterways is damaging to human
health and the environment. It is important to try to eliminate
these pollutants from the water run-off before it reaches the water
table. One physical property of these pollutants that can be
exploited in trying to separate them from the water run-off is that
most of them float (i.e., they are less dense than water). Prior
efforts to remove such petroleum pollutants from water run-off have
been less than completely successful. To maintain freshwater
systems, most cities and counties have regulations that require the
removal of some of the pollutants from the storm-water runoff
before entering their storm sewer systems. In order to meet these
regulations, facilities typically install on-site pollution traps
to filter the storm-water runoff. These pollution traps are
sometimes referred to as "oil/grit separators."
[0003] Serious trouble arises when later storms or other
circumstances present water to these systems at high rates of flow
while they are congested with the accumulated trash. Clogging of
this system can result in upstream flooding, or the washing
downstream of the accumulated material. To avoid this situation,
throughout the year maintenance crews are sent to clear out trash
and debris that has entered the system through the openings. This
is a considerable expense, and in the event that a storm strikes
before the system is cleared, serious damage can occur despite
those earlier efforts.
[0004] Most conventional pollution traps provide only "first flush"
filtration during the typical local storm event, but permit
bypassing the filtration stage for larger storms. In fact, many
jurisdictions require bypassing, some even at typical storm water
flows. Bypassing filtration is a problem because most pollutants
are more easily picked up and transported by storm water during
higher flow periods. Unfortunately, just when the traps are needed
most, a lot of pollutants bypass them and are delivered into the
storm sewer systems. And most pollution traps that do not provide
for bypassing accommodate the larger flows because they are
oversized, which adds significantly to the cost to build, install,
and maintain them.
[0005] In addition, most filter systems included in the catch basin
of storm sewer systems which, under low flow conditions, often act
as biological incubators that add to the microbial contamination of
storm water runoff. Such bacterial pollutants, unlike chemical
ones, are dynamic, continue to grow exponentially, and may quickly
reach dangerous level. Some filter systems use chemicals, which can
be damaging to the environment.
[0006] Therefore, what is needed is a means to be installed in the
drain opening of a catch basin of a typical storm drain system to
trap, block or reduce the entry of unwanted leaves, litter and
similar debris without interfering with the flow of rainwater
through filtration system and into the storm sewer system. Also
needed is a filtration system that will powerful, cost effective
and durable system for water filtration with antimicrobial
action.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a
sewer water gate to be located at the opening to a subsurface catch
basin of a storm drain system that will exclude trash and debris
from the system while still permitting a flow of water, but which
will partially open to allow full access for water (and entrained
material) when the rate of flow is sufficiently high while still
obstructing the flow of heavier materials. When fully closed, the
gate will permit the trash upstream from it to be removed by
routine collection sweeping, so as to remove trash that otherwise
would later be driven into the system by storm runoff. Another
object of this invention is to provide a sewer water gate system
that includes a filter system that reduces the buildup of microbial
contamination from storm water runoff.
DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view disclosing the water gate
of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of the water gate of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is rear perspective view of the water gate of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is rear perspective view of the water gate of the
invention disclosing a filtration system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the gate system 100 of the
invention comprises two side brackets 120 and 140, which when
attached to a lower fixed screen 160 and upper screen section 180
comprise a frame to which upper gate 200 and rotatable means 230
are affixed. Side brackets 120 and 140 are 11/4'' angle iron braces
of sufficient length to span the vertical distance between the
street gutter and the top of the standard sewer drain opening. In
this preferred embodiment side brackets 120 and 140 are constructed
of 0.125'' 304 stainless steel.
[0013] Side brackets 120 and 140 are opposingly affixed to lower
gate screen 160 by means of standard cap screws 165. Lower gate
screen 160 is sized to span the horizontal distance between the
left and right sides of a sewer drain opening, such that when gate
system 100 is installed, lower gate 160 effectively blocks debris
and other solid matter entering the sewer drain opening at the
gutter level. In this preferred embodiment, lower gate 160 is
constructed of 10-gauge, 0.75 inch expanded metal stainless steel.
Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are anchor plates 145, affixed to both
side brackets 120 and 140, and which are used to anchor gate system
100 the opening to the subsurface catch basin. Positioned above
lower gate screen 160 and spanning between side brackets 120 and
140 is upper bracket 180, comprised of a 1.times.1.times.0.125 inch
stainless steel angle iron. Upper bracket 180 is affixed to side
brackets 120 and 140 by standard stainless steel nuts and bolts, as
would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. The
combination of side brackets 120 and 140 with upper bracket 180
form an upper frame for receiving upper gate 200 and rotatable
means 230.
[0014] Upper gate 200 and rotatable means 230 form the rotatable
gate portions of the water gate of the invention. In this preferred
embodiment, rotatable means 230 is comprised on a standard hinge
commonly known as a piano hinge, which is sized to substantially
span the distance between side bracket 120 and side bracket 140
while permitting the hinge action to freely move without contacting
either side bracket 120 or side bracket 140. Rotatable means 230 is
also constructed of 1.times.1 inch stainless steel. Although
rotatable means 230 is comprised of a piano hinge in this
embodiment, such hinge is not a limitation of the invention, other
types of rotatable means may be used, including other types of
hinges, springs, or other devices. The only requirement is that the
rotatable means be adaptable to being affixed to upper bracket 180
and to rotatably support upper gate 200. However, a hinge has
certain advantages over a spring, that being that the hinge need
not be manually reset. Upper gate 200 is comprised of 0.375 inch
lexan-polycarbonite screen, having openings for the passage of
water. As shown in FIG. 1, upper gate 200 has been formed with
various sized openings, consisting of slots and pour holes.
Although a lexan-polycarbonate material was used in this preferred
embodiment, any material for upper gate 200 may be employed as long
as the resulting gate is not so heavy that the gate does not rotate
when a specified amount of water pressure and debris applies
pressure upper gate 200. Such other material could be a 16-gauge,
0.25 thick stainless steel, or equivalent material.
[0015] Gate system 100 additionally includes bias means 240 for
biasing rotatable upper gate 200 in a closed position. In this
preferred embodiment, bias means 240 comprises a pair of magnets
selected with sufficient magnetic strength to cause upper gate 200
to rotate to a closed position when the pressure of the water and
debris drops below a selected level. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3,
limit brackets 210 and 215 are opposingly affixed to side brackets
120 and 140, respectively, and spaced intermediate to fixed lower
gate 160 and upper bracket 180. Limit brackets 210 and 215 form a
stop to restrain upper gate 200 from swinging street ward so that
there would not be a potential for upper gate 200 to be blocked in
an open position. In this preferred embodiment, permanent magnets
240 are mounted on opposing ends of upper gate 200, adjacent the
left and right sides of upper gate 200. Permanent magnets 240 are
vertically positioned such that they will oppose limit brackets 210
and 215, and such that limit brackets 210 and 215 also function as
magnet stops. Limit brackets 210 and 215 are made from a
galvanized, ferromagnetic material. In this preferred embodiment
permanent magnets 240 are 1 inch diameter, 0.25 inches thick, with
a coating of molybdenum epoxy, with a center hole of 3/8 inches,
and affixed to upper gate 200 by means of magnet cap screw 245.
Alternatively, magnets 240 could be mounted on limit brackets 210
and 215, and opposing paramagnetic metals affixed to upper gate 200
that would be attracted to magnets 240. Once water/debris pressure
is removed from upper gate 200, gravity will bias upper gate 200
toward the closed position, and magnetic attraction will induce
upper gate to seat against limit brackets 210 and 215. Bias means
240 is not limited to ferromagnetic devices such as magnets. Other
means of biasing upper gate 200 in a closed position would be well
know to ones of ordinary skill in the art, such as coil springs,
leaf springs, etc. Alternatively, the piano hinge of the preferred
embodiment could be spring loaded to bias upper gate 200 against
limit brackets 210 and 215.
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and. 4, filter bracket 270 is
attached to the upper edge of fixed lower gate 160 by standard
stainless steel nuts and bolts, as would be obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art. Suspended from filter bracket 270 is
filter means 280. In this embodiment, filter means 280 is comprised
of a plurality of filter strips 285 fabricated from membranes.
Filter strips 285 are fabricated form X-Tex anti-microbial filter
media that kills or inhibits the growth of microbes such as
bacteria, fungi, or viruses so that such microbes will not enter
the sewer system. Membrane filters are constructed in very thin
layers from polymers and other advanced synthetic materials.
Membrane filter thickness varies from 100 to 300 micro-meters, and
are usually designed and manufactured with approximately 70 to 90
percent porosity. Membrane filters are commonly manufactured from
MCE (nitrocellulose), Cellulose Acetate, Coated PTFE (Teflon),
Hydrophobic PTFE, Nylon, polycarbonate, or glass. The invention is
not restricted to any particular anti-microbial material, and any
other anti-microbial material may be employed.
[0017] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described herein in detail, it will be understood that those
skilled in the art can make modifications thereto without departing
from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended
claims. For example, filter means 280 could also be comprised of a
material that absorbs hydrobarbons.
* * * * *