Abstract:
Apparatus for optimizing fluid flow while maximizing selective filtration of select debris and detritus functions as catch basin in conjunction with conventional sewers. Proximate to a curb inlet a diverter is located, and at least one sieve-member or element is disposed within the catch basin defining a primary and supplemental space for collecting solid materials, in combination with a drain access aperture allowing for ingress and egress to the supplemental space from the primary space to preclude blockage by facilitating access to the catch basin drain.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0001]     The present disclosure generally relates to novel catch basin constructions used in a sewer-type of apparatus which cost effectively make cleaning of the same easier, while being disposed simply without adding cost or time constraints.  
         [0002]     The present disclosure further relates to catch basin improvements allowing for ongoing flow while selectively screening undesired elements from transmission to a drain.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0003]     Filtration systems have been known throughout history for blocking ingress and egress selectively. Sewer systems and their related drains are a product of modern society, often having a need to be disposed within, for example, city streets in a metropolitan area. Combinations of these two usually distinct types of systems have yet to adequately address the issues managed by way of the present disclosure.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present disclosure works in conjunction with conventional drainage systems, for example, sewers which drain from the street. While it is known for drainage systems to work in conjunction with such street based systems, a fluid drainage system according to the instant disclosure uses novel mechanisms to handle any number of types of detritus without compromise to the flow-rate in ways not available prior to the advent of the instant teachings.  
         [0005]     For example, by using the combination of at least one diverter and a sieve-member or element to divide a primary and at least a secondary collection area, the present disclosure overcomes the longstanding need to be able to get between, behind under or in back of the sieve-member or element and remove debris and detritus by way of a specialized aperture permitting ingress and egress.  
         [0006]     The present disclosure manages the issue of having a continuous flow-path while being able to stem the flow of large pieces of debris, and being able to render those pieces which may become lodged readily removable. This is done in straight-forward fashion, enabling those charged with removing potentially clogging pieces of debris to have ready access to the area proximate to the drain which is at the bottom of the system.  
         [0007]     Likewise, those skilled in the art shall understand that such improved catch basin technology overcomes the longstanding issues associated with spaces too small for workers to reach into to remove pieces of debris which become difficultly lodged. An additional aspect of the present disclosure is that it does not require further attachments, assemblies or supplemental pieces at the ingress, or for example, at the “curb” in a conventional city-type of sewer inlet. This feature is useful and enhances industrial efficiency.  
         [0008]     According to the teachings of the instant disclosure, the efficiency of a conventional sewer system is further improved in that the enhancements to the catch basis render the system such that it does not need to be manually monitored or emptied with as high a degree of frequency. Owing to the simple mechanical aspects of functionality of the instant disclosure the involved materials can be both strong and robust in addition to being acquired without tremendous capital outlay.  
         [0009]     Further, since many conventional, for example, metropolitan sewer systems, have many different locations needing to be improved, ready installation capacity, ease-of-use and transport make the teachings of the present disclosure attractive to users. It is also known to artisans how the solution offered by the instant teachings can have a “universal” aspect, if it functions in conjunction with or is readily adaptable to many different related types of systems.  
         [0010]     Finally, owing to the modularity of the components according to the instant teachings plethoric combinations and subcombinations are available. For example, for use with conventional metropolitan sewer systems those having a modicum of skill shall understand that at least one diverter is easily curb-mounted with most existing systems, as is a sieve member or element combination. Being modular provides for easy and facile transport, shipping, storage and related conveniences. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The present disclosure will be more clearly understood by reference to this specification in view of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus, which embodiment is adapted for attachment to the inner walls of a street storm-water catch basin having a curb inlet opening and a left-located drain opening, as seen prior to installation.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a catch basin in which the embodiment seen in  FIG. 1  is installed, showing only the part of the apparatus that is visible from this view, said part being the diverter (a portion of it visible through the curb inlet opening), and showing a manhole cover that is located directly above the catch basin&#39;s drain opening.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the embodiment in  FIG. 1  after it has been installed, as seen through horizontal cross-sectional cut I-I.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the embodiment in  FIG. 1  after it has been installed, as seen through vertical cross-sectional cut II-II.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a left side view of the embodiment in  FIG. 1  after it has been installed, as seen through vertical cross-sectional cut III-III.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a close up top view of a portion of the embodiment in  FIG. 1  after it has been installed, as seen through horizontal cross-sectional cut I-I, showing the filter hole cover in an open position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus, which embodiment is adapted for attachment to the inner walls of a catch basin having a curb inlet opening and center-located drain opening, as seen prior to installation.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a catch basin in which the embodiment seen in  FIG. 7  is installed, showing only the part of the apparatus that is visible from this view, said part being the diverter (a portion of it visible through the curb inlet opening), and showing a manhole directly above the location of the catch basin&#39;s drain pipe opening.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a back view of the embodiment in  FIG. 7  after it has been installed, as seen through vertical cross-sectional cut IV-IV.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus, which embodiment is adapted for attachment to the inner walls of a catch basis having a top inlet opening and a left-located drain pipe opening, as seen prior to installation.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a catch basis in which the embodiment seen in  FIG. 10  is installed, showing only the part of the apparatus that is visible in this view, said part being the diverter (a portion of it is visible through the top inlet opening, with the surface grate that normally covers the opening lifted above its normal position), and showing the top inlet opening being large enough to eliminate the need for a manhole.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a left side view of the embodiment in  FIG. 10  after it has been installed, as seen through vertical cross-sectional cut V-V. (Note that “left” is defined herein to be left when viewing from the center of the street). 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-6  show one embodiment, referred to herein as a left-drain filter  1 , as it would appear in an installation configuration but (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) without being installed in any catch basin and (as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-6 ) after being installed into a left-drain catch basin  2 . The left-drain filter  1  is configured for installation into the left-drain catch basin  2 , which has a floor  3  and a drain opening  4  in the left portion of the floor  3 . The left-drain catch basin  2  is designed to allow fluid to enter through a curb-inlet opening  5  and to exit through the drain opening  4  located in the left portion of the catch basin.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 7-9  show another embodiment, referred to herein as a center-drain filter  6 , as it would appear in its installation configuration but (as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) without being installed in any catch basis and (as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 ) after being installed into a center-drain catch basin  7 , which is designed to allow fluid to enter through the curb-inlet opening  5  and to exit through its drain opening  4  located in the central portion of the catch basin.  
         [0026]     And,  FIGS. 10-12  show a further embodiment, referred to herein as a top-inlet filter  8 , as it would appear in its installation configuration but (as illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) without being installed in any catch basis and (as illustrated in  FIGS. 11-12 ) after being installed into a top-inlet catch basin  9 . The top-inlet filter  8  is configured for installation into the top-inlet catch basin  9 , which is designed to allow fluid to enter through a top-inlet opening  10  and to exit through its drain opening  4  located, in this embodiment, in the back portion of the catch basin.  
         [0027]     In  FIGS. 2-6 ,  8 - 9 , and  11 - 12 , the installation environment is shown as comprising a street  11  connected to an inlet apron  12  and a gutter  13 , with a curb  14  connecting the gutter to a sidewalk  15  supported on an earthen foundation  16 . The inlet apron  12  shown in  FIGS. 11-12  is part of the catch basin, whereas the inlet apron  12  can, alternatively, be a separate piece as shown in  FIGS. 2-6  and  8 - 9 . However, all inlet aprons  12  shown in the accompanying figures receive fluid (and any trash carried with the fluid) from the street and the gutter, and direct the fluid (and trash) into the catch basin by sloping downwardly toward the catch basin inlet opening.  
         [0028]     Although the apparatus can be adapted to accommodate catch basins with a different number of inner walls, each catch basin shown in the accompanying figures has four inner walls  17 . The apparatus is shown installed in each of those catch basins by using angle-iron supports  18  with support bolts  19  passing through bolt holes  20  in a flange of the support  18  and into anchors  21  that have been placed in three of the inner walls  17  if each catch basin. (It should be understood that, although the support bolts  19  and anchors  21  are shown only in  FIG. 6 , support bolt  19  and anchor  21  combinations are located approximately equally spaced apart along the flange of each installed support  18  that is in direct contact with an inner wall  17 . Locations intended for said support bolt  19  and anchor  21  combinations are shown in the accompanying figures simply by showing the locations of the bolt holes  20  where practical to do so, on the scale of those figures. Due to the large quantity of them, only a few of the locations of the bolt holes  20  are identified by reference number. It is believed that those skilled in the art understand or can readily determine the appropriate number and locations for the bolts and their anchors, and the size and other characteristics of them, for securing supports within a catch basis.)  
         [0029]     Filter sheets  22  can then rest upon the supports (or, may be secured by any conventional means such as screwing the filter sheets  22  into the supports  18 ), with the plane of each filter sheet  22  located at a predetermined appropriate level above the floor  3  and oriented substantially parallel to the part of the floor  3  that is directly beneath the filter sheet  22 . The appropriate level can provide at least enough clearance to permit a sufficient volume of fluid to flow along the floor  3  into the drain opening  4  to match the capacity of the drain opening  4 . The capacity of the drain opening  4  is limited by such things as its size and the characteristics of the drain pipe  23  being used. The appropriate level also can be based on other criteria as desired by the user. Such other criteria may include factoring in the volume and quantity of trash that is likely to overflow and pass with the fluid into the space between the floor  3  and the one or more filter sheets  22 . Of course, any conventional means may be used for supporting and securing the filter sheets  22  in their positions.  
         [0030]     As best seen in  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  4 - 7 , and  10 , the filter sheets  22  have a plurality of apertures  24  through them, so that fluid will pass through while trash will be retained for subsequent removal. (Note that due to the large quantity of them, only a few of the apertures  24  shown in the accompanying figures are identified by reference number. And, of course, the apertures  24  are to be distinguished from the circles shown on the supports  18 , which only illustrate that the support bolts  19  are located and in one embodiment, equally spaced along the vertical flange of the supports  18 .) The size and shape, pattern, combination and other selectable features for the apertures  24  are contemplated by the present disclosure as being optional to the user, depending on the particular results he or she may desire. It is believed, however, that apertures  24  ranging in size (measured as the smallest dimension across the opening) from ¼ inch to  1½ inches work well for blocking the passage of trash into municipal street storm-water catch basins. Of course, larger or smaller apertures, or combinations of apertures, may be used without departing from the present disclosure.    
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows an overflow wall  25  and a curb-inlet diverter  26 . As shown, the curb-inlet diverter  26  comprises two sheets secured together at right angles (by, for example, using screws to secure one edge of one sheet to one flange on a section of angle iron and to secure one edge of the other sheet to the other flange). When installed into the left-drain catch basin  2 , the curb-inlet diverter  26  is oriented to form a channel that diverts incoming fluid and trash to the filter side of the overflow wall  25  (which is the side opposite the overflow area  28 ). As seen in  FIG. 2 , the curb-inlet diverter  26  is located against the inner wall  17  on the front side of the left-drain catch basis  2 , generally by securing it in a manner similar to the one used for securing the filter sheets. And, the curb-inlet diverter  26  is the only part of the left-drain filter  1  that might be easily seen from the street  11 . In one embodiment, the location for the curb-inlet diverter  26  is at or near the upstream end of the catch basin. Also, as is shown by a close look at  FIGS. 1-2 ,  4 , and  7 - 9 , the curb-inlet diverter  26  is sloped slightly downwardly as it extends toward the filter side of the overflow wall  25 , which helps keep the diverter clear of accumulated trash. Of course, the degree of the slope can, in other embodiments, vary depending on anticipated flow conditions and other criteria, as desired by the user. Note further, that the overflow wall  25  and the curb-inlet diverter  26  can be made of the same material as the filter sheets are made of, with apertures, so that the filtering process can occur at the diverter and overflow wall as well as at the filter sheets. Again, however, other embodiments may utilize other materials for construction of the overflow wall and/or the diverter without departing from the present disclosure.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  looks down through sectional cut I-I, which is a substantially horizontal cut immediately below the inside ceiling  27  of the left-drain catch basin  2 . In  FIG. 3 , the curb-inlet diverter  26  is seen as being secured to the inner walls  17  on the front and right sides of the left-drain catch basin  2 . The space between the overflow wall  25  and the inner wall  17  on the right side of the catch basin forms an overflow area  28 , into which fluid and trash can overflow from the filter side of the overflow wall  25  when the capacity of the filter is exceeded. Under those circumstances, as seen in  FIGS. 4, 5 ,  9 , and  12 , overflowing fluid and trash is able to flow along the floor  3  beneath the filter sheets  22  and enter the drain pipe  23 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  also illustrates the large area coverage of the filter sheets  22 , which, in one embodiment, form a snug fit to the inner walls  17  on the front, left, and back sides of the catch basin. In this embodiment the filter sheets  22  are bounded by the three inner walls  17  and the overflow wall  25  and can cover approximately 80 percent of the floor  3 , thereby providing a very large filtering and holding capacity. Although no top view of the other embodiments, which are the subject of  FIGS. 7-12 , is shown,  FIG. 3  is illustrative of the capacity of the other embodiments provide by also having filter sheets  22  fully cover the floor area on the filter side of the overflow wall  25 . Of course, additional embodiments not specifically described or shown herein may cover different proportions of the floor area without departing from the present disclosure.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  also shows a filter hole cover  29  in its closed position, which filter hole cover  29  has a pivot bolt  30  and a handle  31  to facilitate rotation of the filter hole cover  29  into its open position to expose a filter hole  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In one embodiment, the filter hole  32  is directly above the drain opening  4 , where the drain pipe  23  commences. An embodiment having the filter hole  32  and the filter hole cover  29  is advantageous to an embodiment not having them, since the drain pipe  23  must occasionally be accessed and cleaned. To do this, maintenance personnel generally must gain access to the drain pipe  23  by removing the manhole cover  33  and introducing clean out equipment into the catch basin through the manhole  34 . If there is a filter hole  32  and filter hole cover  29 , maintenance personnel can easily access the drain pipe  23  by moving the filter hole cover  29  to an open position, whereas they would otherwise generally need to move an entire filter sheet  22 . In one embodiment, the filter hole  32  and the manhole  34  are located directly above the drain opening  4 . Although, the other embodiments described or shown herein also have filter holes  32  covered by filter hole covers  29 , additional embodiments may have multiple filter holes or no filter hole at all, or may have the filter hole(s) located elsewhere within the catch basin, have no filter hole cover, or have any combination thereof, without departing from the present disclosure.  
         [0035]     As seen in  FIGS. 7-9 , the center-drain filter  6  is quite similar to the left-drain filter  1 . The difference lies in the fact that the center-drain filter  6  is adapted for installation into the center-drain catch basin  7  rather than the left-drain catch basin  2 . For such adaptation, the center-drain filter  6  has its lowest point located over the centrally located drain opening  4 , with one or more filter sheets  22  added on the left side of the drain opening  4 , with one or more filter sheets  22  added on the left side of the drain opening  4 . In one embodiment, the added filter sheets slope upward, substantially parallel to the slope of the floor  3 , until they reach the inner wall  17  at the left end of the center-drain catch basin  7 .  
         [0036]     The top-inlet filter  8 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , has a top-inlet diverter  35  rather than a curb-inlet diverter  26 . The top-inlet diverter  35  can extend from the inner wall  17  at the front of the top-inlet catch basin  9 , inwardly into the top-inlet catch basin  9  while down sloping modestly to end at a point on the filter side of the overflow wall  25 . (A 2 percent to 20 percent down slope is believed advantageous, but the present disclosure encompasses milder and steeper down slopes that may be deemed more suitable by the user.) In one embodiment, the top-inlet diverter  35  also extends laterally to cover the entire overflow area  28 , with the top-inlet diverter  35  reaching several inches beyond the overflow wall  25  to help assure trash is not allowed to directly enter the overflow area  28 . The top-inlet diverter  35  also is shown as being separated vertically from the top of the overflow wall  25  to provide sufficient space between the top-inlet diverter  35  and the overflow wall  25  for fluid and trash to overflow the top-inlet filter  8  via the overflow wall  25  without significant impediment by the top-inlet diverter  35 .  
         [0037]     Like the curb-inlet diverter  26 , the top-inlet diverter  35  works to divert incoming trash away from the overflow area  28  to the filter side of the overflow wall  25 . Also, the top-inlet diverter  35  of one embodiment is made using the same material, with apertures, as is used for making the filter sheets  22 , so that the filtering process begins as the entering fluid and trash impact the top-inlet diverter  35 . (The same preference for use of material with apertures applies to the overflow wall and the diverter in other embodiments. For example, this preference is discussed and applied above with respect to the left-drain filter  1 , shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , and is also intended to apply to the center-drain filter  6 , shown in  FIGS. 7-9 .  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a large surface grate  36  can be located in the top-inlet opening  10 , within the street environment, to facilitate handling large volumes of fluid and to allow access by maintenance personnel into the top-inlet catch basin  9  without need for a manhole.  
         [0039]     The supports  18 , filter sheets  22 , the other parts of the apparatus, and the means for connecting them together and securing them to the inner walls  17  may be made of hot dipped galvanized steel, although they can be made of any other conventional material that is strong and durable in the presence of the fluids reasonably expected to pass through the catch basin in which they are installed, with due consideration to the potential for corrosion and/or electrolytes particularly when using more than one type of metal in the construction of the apparatus. Such other conventional materials include stainless steel, aluminum, plastics, carbon fibers, and composites. The means for connecting the parts of the apparatus to one another or to the catch basin can be any conventional connecting means such as, without limitation, bolts, screws, welds, clamps, and/or adhesives.  
         [0040]     The supports  18  shown herein as angle irons may be installed with the vertical side of the angle iron pointed up or down. The accompanying figures show the vertical side point up on the supports  18  used to support the filter sheets  22 . Nevertheless, an alternative embodiment with the vertical side of the supports  18  pointing down would appear helpful in order to cause less interference between the support bolts  19  and the filter sheets  22 . (A sample of this alternative orientation of the vertical side of the supports is found in the curb-inlet diverter  26  shown in FIGS.  1 ,  3 - 5 ,  7  and  9 , which has the vertical side of the supports  18  pointing down.)  
         [0041]     Of course, catch basins may have designs with such things as their size, shape, and/or orientation, or the location, number, and/or size of their inlet openings or drain openings being different from any of those described or shown herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure contemplates and includes all conventional adjustments in the embodiments described or shown herein (including such adjustments in the size, orientation, proportions, and relative positioning of parts) made to accommodate those differences in catch basin designs. For example, an alternative catch basin design may provide a shelf, ledge, or groove, or combination thereof, built into one or more of its inner walls as a resting place for the supports or even for the filter sheets without supports. An embodiment adapted for installation in such a catch basin design could be made with reduced, or without any, use of other means (such as the support bolt/anchor combinations) for securing the supports and/or filter sheets, without departing from the present disclosure.  
         [0042]     While the apparatus and method have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.