U.S. patent application number 13/965598 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-20 for environmental barrier device for a storm grate.
This patent application is currently assigned to M&D Environmental Barriers, LLP. The applicant listed for this patent is M&D Environmental Barriers, LLP. Invention is credited to Mark D'Andreta, Stephen Mini.
Application Number | 20140048465 13/965598 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50099317 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140048465 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
D'Andreta; Mark ; et
al. |
February 20, 2014 |
ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIER DEVICE FOR A STORM GRATE
Abstract
An environmental barrier device for use with a storm grate
includes a substantially rectangular filter member a first
fastening portion, a second fastening portion, a third fastening
portion, a fourth fastening portion, a fifth fastening portion, and
a sixth fastening portion. The first fastening portion is
selectively secured to the third fastening portion and the fourth
fastening portion. The second fastening portion is selectively
secured to the fifth fastening portion and the sixth fastening
portion. The first edge, the second edge, the third edge and the
fourth edge define an opening therebetween.
Inventors: |
D'Andreta; Mark;
(Ortonville, MI) ; Mini; Stephen; (Richmond,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
M&D Environmental Barriers, LLP |
Sterling Heights |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
M&D Environmental Barriers,
LLP
Sterling Heights
MI
|
Family ID: |
50099317 |
Appl. No.: |
13/965598 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61682978 |
Aug 14, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/163 ;
29/505 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03F 5/06 20130101; Y10T
29/49908 20150115; E03F 5/0404 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/163 ;
29/505 |
International
Class: |
E03F 5/06 20060101
E03F005/06 |
Claims
1. An environmental barrier device for a storm grate, the
environmental barrier device comprising: a substantially
rectangular filter member; a first fastening portion disposed
adjacent to a first edge of the filter member; and a second
fastening portion disposed adjacent to a second edge of the filter
member; a third fastening portion disposed adjacent to a first
corner of the filter member; a fourth fastening portion disposed
adjacent to a second corner of the filter member; a fifth fastening
portion disposed adjacent to a third corner of the filter member;
and a sixth fastening portion disposed adjacent to a fourth corner
of the filter member; wherein the first fastening portion is
selectively secured to the third fastening portion and the fourth
fastening portion, the second fastening portion is selectively
secured to the fifth fastening portion and the sixth fastening
portion, and the first edge, the second edge, the third edge and
the fourth edge define an opening therebetween.
2. The environmental barrier device of claim 1, in combination with
the storm grate.
3. The environmental barrier device of claim 2, wherein a first
side of the storm grate is completely covered by the environmental
barrier device and a second side of the storm grate is open.
4. An environmental barrier device for a storm grate, the
environmental barrier device comprising: a filter member, a first
side of the filter member including a first edge having a first
fastening portion and a second fastening portion; and a second edge
having a third fastening portion and a fourth fastening portion;
wherein the first edge defines a first fold in the filter member,
the second edge defines a second fold in the filter member, and
wherein the first fastening portion is secured to the second
fastening portion, and the third fastening portion is secured to
the fourth fastening portion.
5. The environmental barrier device of claim 4, wherein a first
side of the storm grate and a portion of a second side of the storm
grate are disposed on a second side of the filter member.
6. The environmental barrier device of claim 4, wherein the first
edge further includes a fifth fastening portion secured to the
second fastening portion, and the second edge further includes a
sixth fastening portion secured to the fourth fastening
portion.
7. The environmental barrier device of claim 4, wherein the first,
second, third and fourth fastening portions are hook and loop
fastening portions.
8. The environmental barrier device of claim 4, in combination with
the storm grate.
9. The environmental barrier device of claim 8, wherein a first
side of the storm grate is completely covered by the filter member
and a second side of the storm grate is open.
10. A method for covering a storm grate, the method comprising:
providing a filter member; folding a first edge of the filter
member in a first direction, the first edge including a first
fastening portion and a second fastening portion; folding a second
edge of the filter member in a second direction parallel to the
first direction, the second edge including a third fastening
portion and a fourth fastening portion; folding a third edge of the
filter member in a third direction perpendicular to the first
direction such that the first fastening portion is secured to the
second fastening portion; and folding a fourth edge of the filter
member in a fourth direction parallel to the third direction such
that the third fastening portion is secured to the fourth fastening
portion, wherein the first edge, the second edge, the third edge
and the fourth edge substantially define an opening
therebetween.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising covering a first
side of a storm grate with the filter member.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first edge includes a fifth
fastening portion and the second edge includes a sixth fastening
portion, and folding the third edge includes securing the fifth
fastening portion to the second fastening portion and folding the
fourth edge includes securing the sixth fastening portion to the
fourth fastening portion.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein covering the first side of the
storm grate includes completely covering the first of the storm
grate.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising having a second side
of the storm grate substantially uncovered by the filter member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/682,978 filed 14 Aug. 2012, which application is
herein expressly incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present teachings generally relate to environmental
barrier devices. More particularly, the present teachings relate to
an environmental barrier device for filtering water that passes
through a storm grate of soil, sediment and debris.
INTRODUCTION
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Exposed soil areas are subject to water erosion and sediment
movement during and after storm water events. Materials and methods
are required to eliminate soil loss or movement across construction
sites from such events. A silt fence may be used as a temporary
barrier used to intercept sediment-laden runoff from small areas.
Silt fences are effective in trapping sediment from all activities
that involve soil disturbance. They can be used on adjacent
properties, adjacent bodies of water, large sloping areas, near
streams and waterways, near surface drainage ways and other areas
to prevent water erosion and sediment movement.
[0005] A conventional silt fence includes a fabric portion and a
plurality of stakes. The fabric portion extends between the stakes.
The stakes serve to anchor and support the fabric portion. The
fabric functions to prevent unwanted erosion and sediment movement
while permitting the passage of rainwater.
[0006] It is also known to protect a storm sewer from soil,
sediment and debris by filtering the water that normally passes
through a storm grate. One such example for filtering water passing
through a storm grate is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,010,622. In this example, an envelope is provided for completely
surrounding (i.e., enveloping) a storm grate. The envelope
necessarily includes an upper layer of filtering material and a
lower layer of filtering material.
[0007] While conventional environmental barrier devices have proven
to be satisfactory for their intended, they are all associated with
drawbacks and limitations. Accordingly, a continuous need for
improvement remains in the relevant art.
SUMMARY
[0008] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0009] According to one particular aspect, the present disclosure
provides an environmental barrier device for use with a storm
grate. The environmental barrier device includes a substantially
rectangular filter member a first fastening portion, a second
fastening portion, a third fastening portion, a fourth fastening
portion, a fifth fastening portion, and a sixth fastening portion.
The first fastening portion is disposed adjacent to a first edge of
the filter member. The second fastening portion is disposed
adjacent to a second edge of the filter member. The third fastening
portion is disposed adjacent to a first corner of the filter
member. The fourth fastening portion is disposed adjacent to a
second corner of the filter member. The fifth fastening portion is
disposed adjacent to a third corner of the filter member. The sixth
fastening portion is disposed adjacent to a fourth corner of the
filter member. The first fastening portion is selectively secured
to the third fastening portion and the fourth fastening portion.
The second fastening portion is selectively secured to the fifth
fastening portion and the sixth fastening portion. The first edge,
the second edge, the third edge and the fourth edge define an
opening therebetween.
[0010] According to another particular aspect, the present
disclosure provides an environmental barrier device for use with a
storm grate. The environmental barrier device includes a filter
member. A first side of the filter member includes a first edge
having a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion,
and a second edge having a third fastening portion and a fourth
fastening portion. The first edge defines a first fold in the
filter member. The second edge defines a second fold in the filter
member. The first fastening portion is secured to the second
fastening portion, and the third fastening portion is secured to
the fourth fastening portion.
[0011] According to yet another particular aspect, the present
disclosure provides a method for covering a storm grate. The method
includes folding a first edge of a filter member in a first
direction. The first edge includes a first fastening portion and a
second fastening portion. The method also includes folding a second
edge of the filter member in a second direction parallel to the
first direction. The second edge includes a third fastening portion
and a fourth fastening portion. The method further includes folding
a third edge of the filter member in a third direction
perpendicular to the first direction and securing the first
fastening portion to the second fastening portion. In addition, the
method includes folding a fourth edge of the filter member in a
fourth direction parallel to the third direction and securing the
third fastening portion to the fourth fastening portion. The first
edge, the second edge, the third edge and the fourth edge
substantially define an opening therebetween.
[0012] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the top of an
environmental barrier device for a storm grate in a first
configuration in accordance with the present teachings;
[0015] FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the bottom of the
environmental barrier device for a storm grate of FIG. 1A in a
second configuration;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the environmental barrier device
for a storm grate of FIG. 1A in a third configuration;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the environmental barrier device
for a storm grate of FIG. 1A in a fourth configuration;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the environmental barrier device
for a storm grate of FIG. 1A in a fifth configuration; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the environmental
barrier device for a storm grate of FIG. 1A, taken through line 5-5
of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS
[0020] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments,
well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0022] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the
particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically
identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood
that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
[0023] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0024] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0025] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"
"beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be
used herein for ease of description to describe one element or
feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as
illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be
intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use
or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the
spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0026] With general reference to the drawings, an environmental
barrier device 10 for a storm grate 12 in accordance with the
present teachings is illustrated. As will be described below, the
environmental barrier device 10 utilizes a design that functions to
capture the lateral edges or sides of the storm grate 12, thereby
not requiring material to cover both the top and the bottom of the
storm grate 12.
[0027] In certain of the drawings, the environmental barrier device
10 is shown operatively associated with a storm grate 12. It will
be appreciated that the storm grate 12 is conventional in
construction insofar as the present invention is concerned. In this
regard, the present teachings may be utilized with any storm grate
12 within the scope of the present invention.
[0028] The environmental barrier device 10 may be constructed of
any material suitable for filtering soil, sediment and other debris
from run-off water. For example, material commonly used to
construct silt fences may be utilized. The environmental barrier
device 10 may also include fastening portions for securing the
material to itself and thereby retaining the environmental barrier
device 10 to the storm grate 12. In one application, the fastening
portions may be comprised of hook and loop material commonly sold
under the trademark Velcro.RTM..
[0029] The fabric for the environmental barrier device 10 is
generally planar and rectangular in shape. As generally shown in
FIGS. 1A-1B, the fabric can be folded over at a top edge 16 and a
bottom edge 18. These folds may be maintained by stitching the
fabric to itself or otherwise suitably securing the fabric to
itself.
[0030] A height of the storm grate 12 may be approximately equal to
the distance between the top edge 16 and the bottom edge 18. The
storm grate 12 may be placed upon the environmental barrier device
10 with upper and lower edges of the storm grate 12 disposed in
pockets 20 defined by the folded over portions of the fabric (FIG.
5).
[0031] First fastening portions 14a, such as Velcro material, may
be secured to a first side of the fabric adjacent to the top and
bottom edges 16, 18 in any well-known manner such as stitching.
Similarly, second fastening portions 14b may be positioned on the
first side of the fabric at the corners thereof. In the embodiment
illustrated, a looped portion of Velcro material extends across a
portion of the fabric adjacent to the top and bottom edges 16, 18
while a cooperating hooked portion of Velcro material is positioned
at each of the four corners. Alternatively, a hooked portion of
Velcro material may extend across the portion of the fabric
adjacent to the top and bottom edges 16, 18 while a cooperating
looped portion of Velcro material may be positioned at each of the
four corners.
[0032] Lateral sides 24 of the fabric may be folded in toward the
center of the environmental barrier device 10 such that first and
second lateral sides 26a, 26b of the storm grate 12 are positioned
adjacent a first and a second fold 28, 30, respectively (as shown
in the drawings). Approximately two or three inches of fabric may
overlap a rear surface 32 of the storm grate 12, such that the
lateral sides 24 and the top and bottom edges 16, 18 define an
opening therebetween, and the rear side or surface 32 of the storm
grate 12 otherwise remains open and exposed.
[0033] The second fastening portions 14b at the corners of the
material are then secured to the cooperating first fastening
portions 14a at the top and bottom edges 16, 18 such that the first
and second fastening portions 14a, 14b overlap. In this manner, the
environmental barrier device 10 is secured to itself and the
environmental barrier device 10 is retained to the storm grate
12.
[0034] The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of any
particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular
embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be
used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or
described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such
variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *