Abstract:
A system to improve water distribution within a septic system drain field and in turn maximizing the efficiency of the water drainage while reducing maintenance and repair costs through the employment of a plurality of substantially parallel leeching lines in communication with a septic tank that feeds effluence thereto through a first header pipe and having a second header pipe on the opposing ends to maintain the functionality of the leeching line in the event of a clog.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to waste water control and, more specifically, to a septic system drainage field. 
   The septic system is a natural method of treatment and disposal of household wastes for those homeowners who are not part of a municipal sewage system. A septic system works by allowing waste water to separate into layers and begin the process of decomposition while being contained within the septic tank. Bacteria, which are naturally present in all septic systems, begin to digest the solids that have settled to the bottom of the tank, transforming up to 50 percent of these solids into liquids and gases. 
   When liquids within the tank rise to the level of the outflow pipe, they enter the drainage system. This outflow, or effluent, is then distributed throughout the drain field through a series of subsurface pipes. Final treatment of the effluence occurs here as the soil absorbs and filters the liquid and microbes break down the rest of the waste into harmless material. The drainage field in an often overlooked aspect of the septic system, yet it is more important than the tank for the proper operation of the entire system. 
   The present invention is a new drain field design for a septic system filter apparatus for filtering waste water as it travels from a septic tank to a septic field. Unlike septic system drain fields of prior art, the septic system drain field of the present invention does not require piping through the chambers and in turn improves the distribution of the waste water. 
   The drain field design comprises a header pipe leading from the septic tank to a series of chambers. A second header pipe is connected to the opposite end of the chambers. The unique chamber assembly of the present invention consists of a housing having a base forming support, top cover plate, end plate, a channel having drain apertures extending the length of said channel wall (both sides) and when necessary inner support members. 
   Each chamber assembly is interlocked end to end forming a desired length of the drain field and nominally spaced apart side to side forming a desired width of the drain field. The length and width of the drain field varies based on local code and project specification. 
   By eliminating the inner piping through the chamber typical of prior art, the septic system drain field of the present invention provides improved waste water distribution and in turn maximizes the efficiency of the drain field and reduces maintenance cost for the entire system. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other septic system drain field designs, but while these forms of drain field designs may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a drain field arrangement for a septic system filter apparatus for filtering waste water as it travels from a septic tank to a septic field. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain field arrangement for a septic system that does not require piping through the drain field chambers. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a drain field arrangement for a septic system that improves the distribution of the waster water. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a drain field arrangement for a septic system that comprises a header pipe leading from the septic tank to a series of chambers and a second header pipe that is connected to the opposite end of the chambers. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a drain field arrangement for a septic system consisting of a housing having a base forming support, top cover plate, end plate, a channel having drain apertures extending the length of said channel wall (both sides) and when necessary inner support members. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain field arrangement for a septic system that reduces maintenance cost. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a drain field arrangement for a septic system that is easy to install. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a drain field arrangement for a septic system that is cost effective for the manufacturer, installer and end user. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a means to improve water distribution within a septic system drain field and in turn maximizing the efficiency of the water drainage while reducing maintenance and repair costs. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective cutaway view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the optional inner supports of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the optional inner support of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the end plate of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the end plate of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a detailed view of the cover plate of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the present invention in use; and 
       FIG. 11  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Septic System Drain Field of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Septic System Drain Field of the present invention     12  dominator chamber     14  front header pipe     16  end header pipe     18  septic tank     20  dwelling     22  septic field     24  leeching line     26  housing of  12       28  base support feet of  12       30  housing walls     32  effluence channel of  26       34  top cover plate     36  end plate     38  recess of  36       40  drain holes of  32       42  slots of  30       44  inner support     46  retaining flange of  36       48  native backfill     50  top soil     52  established vegetation       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention is a septic system drain field  10  apparatus for filtering waste water as it travels from a septic tank  18  to a septic field  22 . The drain field  10  design comprises a plurality of interlocking dominator chambers  12  that are subterraneanaly connected in end-to-end fashion to provide extended leeching lines  24  of a desired length. A plurality of leeching lines  24  are disposed side by side in parallel relation with one another. Waste water from the dwelling  20  is introduced to a septic tank  18  then gravity fed to the septic system drain field  10  via a front header pipe  14  and delivered into the leeching lines  24  through the first dominator chamber  12  thereof. An end header pipe  16  is in communication with the last dominator chamber  12  of each leeching line thereby creating a relatively closed drain field  10  wherein waste water escapes through a plurality of drain holes disposed in the dominator chambers and will redirect effluence to other leeching lines  24  in the event that one becomes clogged. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dominator chamber  12  of the present invention including a housing  26  having walls  30  on either side of an effluence channel  32  and base support feet  28  disposed on the bottom ends of the walls  30 . A top cover plate  34  encloses the effluence channel  32  and an end plate  36  is secured to the ends of the first and last dominator chamber  12  of each leeching line and includes a recess  38  for receiving a header pipe therein. A plurality of drain holes  40  are disposed in the effluence channel  32  for the egress of effluence therefrom and a plurality of longitudinal slots  42  are further included in the walls  30  to aid in the dispersion of the waste water into the septic field. 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dominator chamber  12  of the present invention including a housing  26  having walls  30  on either side of an effluence channel  32  and base support feet  28  disposed on the bottom ends of the walls  30 . A plurality of drain holes  40  are disposed in the effluence channel  32  for the egress of effluence therefrom and a plurality of longitudinal slots  42  are further included in the walls  30  to aid in the dispersion of the waste water into the septic field. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective cutaway view of the dominator chamber  12  including a housing  26  having walls  30  on either side of an effluence channel  32  and base support feet  28  disposed on the bottom ends of the walls  30 . A plurality of drain holes  40  are disposed in the effluence channel  32  for the egress of effluence therefrom and a plurality of longitudinal slots  42  are further included in the walls  30  to aid in the dispersion of the waste water into the septic field. The end plate  36  is secured thereto to accommodate a header pipe. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the optional inner supports  44  of the present invention. The present invention provides optional inner support members  44  for placement within the housing  26 . The separate inner supports  44  are used as necessary, and may not be required in an application where support can be built into the chamber. 
     FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the optional inner support  44  of the present invention. The present invention provides optional inner support members  44  for its drain field design. The drain field design comprises a housing having a base forming support, walls and top cover plate, end plate, and a channel having drain apertures extending the length of the channel wall (both sides) and each unit lockable to other units having header pipes at both ends. The optical inner support members  44  are used as necessary, and may not be required in an application where support can be built into the chamber. 
     FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the end plate  36  of the present invention. The present invention provides end plate members  36  for its drain field design. The drain field design comprises a housing  26  having a base forming support, inner pipe and top support, end plate members  36  and a channel having drain apertures extending the length of said channel wall and each unit lockable to other units having header pipes at both ends. The end plate  36  has a recess  38  to accept a header pipe therein. 
     FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the end plate  36  of the present invention. The end plate  36  is secured to the open end of each dominator chamber at the end of the leeching line. An extruded retaining flange  46  conforming to the shape of the housing of the dominator chamber is offset from the edge thereof for securing the end plate  36  to the chamber. A recess  38  is provided for connection to a header pipe and the passage of effluence therethrough. 
     FIG. 9  is a detailed view of the cover plate of the present invention. The present invention provides a top cover plate member  34  for its drain field design. The cover plate  34  resides on the housing  26  to enclose the effluence channel  32 . 
     FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the present invention  10  in use taken from  FIG. 1  as indicated. Shown are six parallel leeching lines  24 , each comprising a plurality of interlocking dominator chambers  12  attached end-to end with end plates  36  disposed on the ends of each leeching line  24 . Recesses  38  in the end plate  36  are in communication with header pipes (end header pipe  16  is shown) and the respective effluence channel  32  to allow for the passage of effluence therethrough. Once installed, the septic system drain field  10  is covered by native backfill  48 , top soil  50  and established vegetative cover  52 . The effluence leeches into the septic field  22  through a plurality of recesses disposed in each effluence channel  32  where it continues the process of decomposition. The advantage of having header pipes on both ends of each leeching line  24  is to provide an alternate point of entry for effluence in the event of a clog thereby enabling the leeching line  24  to remain functional even if compromised. 
     FIG. 11  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10 . Shown are six parallel leeching lines  24 , each comprising a plurality of interlocking dominator chambers  12  attached end-to end. The arrows indicate possible flow of effluence within the system from the septic tank  18 . The advantage to having header pipes  14 , 16  on both ends of each leeching line  24  is to provide an alternate point of entry for effluence in the event of a clog thereby enabling the leeching line  24  to remain functional even if compromised. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.