Patent ID: 6869523
Filing Date: 2005-03-22
Classification: E03F

Abstract:
1. A barrier system which closes to exclude trash and debris from passing through an opening when accompanied by water flowing at an acceptably slow or slower rate of flow, and which opens to permit passage of such material and water when the flow rate of the water is at a faster rate which equals or exceeds said acceptable rate, said opening formed in rigid structure where it will receive said water, said system comprising: a barrier hingedly mounted to said structure having a closed position across said opening and an open position rotatable to a position where it does not substantially occlude said opening, said system forming gaps at said opening permitting flow of water past said barrier while the flow rate is acceptable and barrier is therefore in its closed position; a receptacle having side walls, a closed bottom, an open top, and end walls; a linkage system mounted adjacent to said opening on the downstream side of said barrier comprising a base attached to structure adjacent to said opening, a lever mounted to said base forming a pair of lever arms, a counterweight supported by one of said lever arms, a link pivotally joined to the other of said lever arms and to an edge of said barrier, said link and said other lever arm being pivotally joined by an actuation pivot, a suspender pivotally mounted to said actuation pivot and to an end wall of said receptacle, a trip chain connected to said base and to said receptacle near its bottom, below the point of attachment of said suspender to said end walls; said linkage being so disposed and arranged that the side wall of said receptacle closer to structure adjacent to said opening is spaced far enough away that the receptacle will not receive water at or below said acceptable rate, but will receive it at higher flow rates, sufficiently high flow rates causing said receptacle to accumulate enough water to overcome the counterweight, and then move the barrier to its open position, said trip chain tilting the receptacle when the barrier opens the opening to dump water from the receptacle.