FILTRATION SYSTEM FOR A WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM

A downspout drain filter includes a housing and a filter media. The housing defines an internal cavity, an inlet to the internal cavity along a top of the housing, and an outlet from the internal cavity along a bottom of the housing. The filter media is disposed within the internal cavity. The filter media divides the internal cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter media is configured to trap debris in the upper chamber from fluid flowing downward through the internal cavity. The filter media is permeable such that the fluid flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to water drainage systems, particularly to water drainage systems for buildings and houses.

BACKGROUND

Runoff water may be directed away from buildings and houses via water drainages systems

SUMMARY

A downspout drain filter includes a housing and a filter plate. The housing defines an internal cavity, an inlet to the internal cavity along a top of the housing, and an outlet from the internal cavity along a bottom of the housing. The filter plate is disposed within the internal cavity. The filter plate divides the internal cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter plate is configured to trap debris in the upper chamber from fluid flowing downward through the internal cavity. The filter plate is permeable such that the fluid flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. The filter plate has a removable central portion that provides access to the lower chamber from the upper chamber when removed.

A downspout drain filter includes a housing and a filter media. The housing defines an internal cavity, an inlet to the internal cavity along a top of the housing, and an outlet from the internal cavity along a bottom of the housing. The filter media is disposed within the internal cavity. The filter media divides the internal cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter media is configured to trap debris in the upper chamber from fluid flowing downward through the internal cavity. The filter media is permeable such that the fluid flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. The housing further defines an overflow opening along the top of the housing. The overflow opening is configured to direct the fluid out of the internal cavity in response to the filter media becoming clogged and the fluid filling the upper chamber.

A downspout drain filter includes a housing, The housing includes a top end, a bottom end, a front panel, a back panel, and a pair of opposing side panels, and at least one sloped surface. The front panel, back panel, and side panels collectively define an internal cavity. Each of the front, back, and side panels are disposed between the top end and the bottom end. The top end defines an inlet to the internal cavity. The bottom end defines an outlet from the internal cavity. The at least one sloped surface extends into the internal cavity such that the internal cavity tapers in a direction that extends from the top end to the bottom end of the housing along the at least one sloped surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, a water drainage system10is illustrated. The water drainage system10may specifically be designed to direct fluid or water away from a house or building in order to prevent runoff water from the house or building from flooding the lower level (e.g., the basement) of the house or building. It should be understood, however, that the water drainage system10may be utilized in other scenarios and should not be construed as limited to a water drainage system that is configured to direct water away from a house or building.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the water drainage system10includes tubes, pipes, or conduits12that are configured to direct water away from a house or building14. More specifically, the conduits12may be configured to direct water away from a gutter or eavestrough16that is disposed along edges of a roof of the building14. The eavestrough16is configured to collect runoff water that cascades down the roof of the building14during rainstorms, from melting snow, or from any other source. The conduits12are configured to direct the water away from the eavestrough16and away from the building14. More specifically, the conduits12may be configured to direct the water toward a storm drain.

Catch basins of storm drains (i.e., the portions of storm drains that are the inlets to a storm drain system that are typically vertically oriented) are usually disposed along an edge of the pavement of a road or street and adjacent to a curb of the road or street. The pavement typically has a slight slope to direct the runoff water from the road or street into the catch basin. The curb may also be positioned above the catch basin and is sloped downward to direct runoff water from the ground that is adjacent to the catch basin toward the catch basin.

The tubes, pipes, or conduits12of the water drainage system10may include a downspout18that is configured to direct water downward from the eavestrough16to a drainage tube, pipe, or conduit20. Stated in other terms, the downspout18establishes fluid communication between the eavestrough16and the drainage conduit20. The drainage conduit20in turn may be configured to direct water from the downspout18to an outlet end22of the water drainage system10. The drainage conduit20may include a slight downward slope extending in a direction from the downspout18to the outlet end22of the water drainage system10such that water flows from the downspout18to the outlet end22of the water drainage system10. The drainage conduit20may include a bend that connects the drainage conduit20to the downspout18. Alternatively, an elbow tube, pipe, or conduit24may connect the drainage conduit20to the downspout18. The drainage conduit20and the first elbow conduit24may collectively be referred to as the drainage tube, pipe, or conduit.

The water drainage system10may include a filter26that is disposed between the downspout18and the drainage conduit20. The filter26may be in fluid communication with both the downspout18and the drainage conduit20. The filter26may also establish fluid communication between the downspout18and the drainage conduit20. The filter26is configured to filter debris from fluid or water flowing from the downspout18to the drainage conduit20. The filter26may be oriented vertically along or adjacent to the downspout18, which may also be oriented vertically. In some scenarios, the filter26may divide the downspout18into an upper and a lower conduit. The filter26may be referred to as a downspout drain filter.

The drainage conduit20and the first elbow conduit24may be fully or partially disposed or buried underground, which may be for aesthetic purposes or may be to prevent placing an obstacle on an area of ground that may require maintenance (e.g., the area of ground may include grass that needs to be mowed on a regular basis) or that may have a significant amount of foot traffic. Alternatively, the drainage conduit20and the first elbow conduit24may be disposed above ground. The outlet end22of the water drainage system10may be connected directly to a storm drain or more specifically to a catch basin of a storm drain. Alternately, the outlet end22of the water drainage system10may include an opening that allows water to flow out of the water drainage system10. Such an opening in the outlet end22may be positioned near an opening to a catch basin such that the water flowing out of the opening at the outlet end22is directed toward the opening to the catch basin.

As previously stated, the conduits12may be configured to direct water away from any source, and this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the layout of conduits12inFIG.1. For example, the elbow conduit24is illustrated as a 90° elbow (i.e., an elbow pipe that is bent at about a 90° angle), but may be reconfigured as an elbow that is bent at any desirable angle (e.g., 60°, 45°, and 22.5°, etc.).

Referring toFIGS.2-3, the filter26is illustrated is further detail. The filter26includes a housing28. The housing defines an internal chamber or cavity30, a first opening32to the internal cavity30, a second opening34to the internal cavity30, and a third opening36to the internal cavity30. The first opening32to the internal cavity30is defined along a top or a top end38of the housing28. The second opening34to the internal cavity30is defined along a bottom or a bottom end40of the housing28. The third opening36to the internal cavity30is defined along front face42of the housing28. The first opening32is an inlet to the internal cavity30. The first opening32establishes fluid communication between the downspout18and the internal cavity30. The second opening34is an outlet from the internal cavity30. The second opening34establishes fluid communication between the internal cavity30and the drainage conduit20.

A filter media or filter plate44is disposed within the internal cavity30. The filter plate44may more specifically be a grated plate. The filter plate44may be disposed within the internal cavity30at an angle relative to a vertical direction46. The filter plate44may divide the internal cavity30into an upper chamber48and a lower chamber50. The filter plate44is configured to configured to trap debris, such as leaves, in the upper chamber48from fluid or water flowing downward through the internal cavity30, while also being permeable such that the fluid or water flows through the filter plate44from the upper chamber48to the lower chamber50.

A door or access panel52is secured to the housing28and over the third opening36. The access panel52is configured to provide access to the upper chamber48for removal of debris trapped within the upper chamber48. The housing28may further define an overflow opening54that is disposed above the access panel52along the top end38of the housing28. The overflow opening54may be grated to prevent debris from entering into the internal cavity30via the overflow opening54. If grated, the overflow opening54may more specifically comprise an array or a series of adjacent openings. The overflow opening54is configured to direct the fluid or water out of the internal cavity30in response to the filter plate44becoming clogged and fluid or water filling the upper chamber48. The overflow opening54may be in direct fluid communication with the upper chamber48.

The overflow opening54may be defined along the top of the upper chamber48so that under most conditions fluid or water will not flow out of the overflow opening but will flow downward via gravity through the filter plate44and out of the internal cavity30via the outlet or second opening34. Only when the rate of fluid or water flowing into the upper chamber48via the inlet or first opening32exceeds the rate of fluid or water flowing through the filter plate44for a period of time, will the fluid or water flow out of the overflow opening54. The fluid or water flowing out of the overflow opening54may then function as a signal that debris, such as leaves, has clogged the filter plate44. Such a signal may act to notify an individual that is responsible for maintaining the filter26that debris needs to be removed from the internal cavity30, or more specifically that debris needs to be removed from the upper chamber48of the internal cavity30.

The overflow opening54may be positioned adjacent to and above the front face42. The front face42and overflow opening54may be positioned to face outward from a building or house that the downspout18and filter26are secure to, so that is it easy to observe fluid or water flowing out of the overflow opening54. The overflow opening54may also be orientated at an angle relative to the front face42of the housing28, such that fluid or water flowing out the overflow opening54may be directed partially upward and partially outward from the filter26. This further increases the ease of observing fluid or water flowing out of the overflow opening54, since the fluid or water is being directed outward from the filter26and not simply downward where the fluid or water may trace along the outer surface of the filter26or any adjacent conduit that is disposed below the filter26, which would be more difficult to observe particularly from a distance.

Referring now toFIGS.2-5, the top end38and the bottom end40of the housing28are described in further detail. The top end38of the housing28may be a separate component from a remainder56of the housing28. The top end38of the housing28may be secured to the remainder56of the housing28via fasteners, clips, snaps, etc. The top end38of the housing28and the remainder56of the housing28may also defines slots58, that are configured to receive portions of the filter plate44and the access panel52. The sections of the top end38of the housing28and the remainder56of the housing28that are adjacent to the slot58may function to trap the portions of the filter plate44and the access panel52within the slots58to retain the filter plate44and the access panel52in desired positions (e.g., the positions depicted inFIGS.2-3). The filter plate44and the access panel52may be flexible so that the filter plate44and the access panel52may be manipulated into and out of the respective desired positions during installation onto or removal from the housing28. The filter plate44and the access panel52may also be sufficiently rigid to remain in the respective desired positioned when no external force is applied.

The top end38of the housing28includes a step60. A cross-sectional area of the first opening32is decreased from a first value62to a second value64along the step60and in a direction that extends away from the internal cavity30. For example, the portion of the first opening32where the cross-sectional area is equal to the first value62may be sized to receive a four by three inch rectangular tube, conduit, or pipe, while the portion of the first opening32where the cross-sectional area is equal to the second value64may be sized to receive a three by two inch rectangular tube, conduit, or pipe. In the event the larger-sized connection (e.g., the portion of the top end38where the cross-sectional area of the first opening32is equal to the second value64) is required for connecting the housing28to the downspout18, the smaller-sized connection (e.g., the portion of the top end38where the cross-sectional area of the first opening32is equal to the first value62) may be cut off from the remainder of the housing28. For example, the portion of the top end38that includes the smaller-sized connection may be cut off from the remainder of the housing28by cutting the housing28along dashed line65.

The bottom end40of the housing28may be sized for connecting to a circular tube, conduit, or pipe. The bottom end40of the housing28may include clips, snaps, or tabs66to connect to a corrugated tube, conduit, or pipe. In the event the bottom end40is to be connected to a non-corrugated tube, conduit, or pipe, a portion of the bottom end40that includes the clips, snaps, or tabs66may be cut off from the remainder of the housing28. For example, the portion of the bottom end40that includes the clips, snaps, or tabs66may be cut off from the remainder of the housing28by cutting the housing28along dashed line68.

Referring now toFIGS.3and6-7, the filter plate44is illustrated in further detail. The filter plate44includes a removable central portion70that provides access to the lower chamber50from the upper chamber48when removed. The removeable central portion70may be removed so that a hose, jet, heat cable, etc. may be placed into the drainage conduit20that is positioned below the bottom end40of the housing28. A hose or jet may be used to clean out the drainage conduit20. A heat cable may be used to prevent water from freezing within the drainage conduit20, particularly during the winter months, which could cause damage to the conduit.

The removable central portion70of the filter plate44is configured to lock and unlock to and from a remainder72of the filter plate44via rotation relative the remainder72of the filter plate44. The remainder72of the filter plate44may be referred to as the main portion of the filter plate44. The removable central portion70of the filter plate44includes a first set of tabs74. The remainder72of the filter plate includes a second set of tabs76. The first set of tabs74are configured to align with the second tabs76to lock the removable central portion70of the filter plate44to the remainder72of the filter plate44. The remainder72of the filter plate44defines slots78. The first set of tabs74are configured to align with the slots78to unlock the removable central portion70of the filter plate44from the remainder72of the filter plate. The filter plate44may include ribs80that extending upward from an upper surface82of the filter plate44. The ribs80are configured to separate debris from the upper surface82of the filter plate44to facilitate flow of fluid or water through the filter plate44. More specifically, the ribs80are configured to lift the debris off of the upper surface82of the filter plate44so the openings84defined by the grating of the filter plate44are separated from the debris so that the fluid or water may flow through the openings84.

Referring toFIG.8, a cross-sectional view of an alternative engagement arrangement between the housing28and the access panel52of the filter26is illustrated. The access panel52includes a protrusion86extending downward from a bottom end or bottom surface88of the access panel52. The housing28defines a slot90along a ledge or shelf92upon which the access panel52is configured to rest when secured to the housing28. The protrusion86is disposed within the slot90to further secure the access panel52to the housing28.

Referring toFIGS.9-15, an alternative embodiment of the filter126is illustrated. Unless otherwise stated herein, the filter126should be construed to include all of the same elements, structure, and functionally as filter26unless otherwise stated herein. The filter126includes a housing128. The housing128defines an internal chamber or cavity130, a first opening132to the internal cavity130, a second opening134to the internal cavity130, and a third opening136to the internal cavity130. The first opening132to the internal cavity130is defined by or along a top or a top end138of the housing128. The second opening134to the internal cavity130is defined by or along a bottom or a bottom end140of the housing128. The third opening136to the internal cavity130is defined along front face142of the housing128. The first opening132is an inlet to the internal cavity130. The first opening132establishes fluid communication between the downspout18and the internal cavity130when the filter126is secured the downspout18. The second opening134is an outlet from the internal cavity130. The second opening134establishes fluid communication between the internal cavity130and the drainage conduit20when the filter126is secured the drainage conduit20via elbow conduit24.

A filter media or filter plate144is disposed within the internal cavity130. The filter plate144may more specifically be a grated plate. The filter plate144may be disposed within the internal cavity130at an angle relative to a vertical direction146. The filter plate144may divide the internal cavity130into an upper chamber148and a lower chamber150. The filter plate144is configured to trap debris, such as leaves, in the upper chamber148from fluid or water flowing downward through the internal cavity130, while also being permeable such that the fluid or water flows through the filter plate144from the upper chamber148to the lower chamber150.

A door or access panel152is secured to the housing128and over the third opening136. The access panel152is configured to provide access to the upper chamber148for removal of debris trapped within the upper chamber148. The housing128may further define an overflow opening154that is disposed above the access panel152along the top end138of the housing128. The overflow opening154may be grated to prevent debris from entering into the internal cavity130via the overflow opening154. If grated, the overflow opening154may more specifically comprise an array or a series of adjacent openings. The overflow opening154is configured to direct the fluid or water out of the internal cavity130in response to the filter plate144becoming clogged and fluid or water filling the upper chamber148. The overflow opening154may be in direct fluid communication with the upper chamber148.

The overflow opening154may be defined along the top of the upper chamber148so that under most conditions fluid or water will not flow out of the overflow opening154but will flow downward via gravity through the filter plate144and out of the internal cavity130via the outlet or second opening134. Only when the rate of fluid or water flowing into the upper chamber148via the inlet or first opening132exceeds the rate of fluid or water flowing through the filter plate144for a period of time, will the fluid or water flow out of the overflow opening154. The fluid or water flowing out of the overflow opening154may then function as a signal that debris, such as leaves, has clogged the filter plate144. Such a signal may act to notify an individual that is responsible for maintaining the filter126that debris needs to be removed from the internal cavity130, or more specifically that debris needs to be removed from the upper chamber148of the internal cavity130.

The overflow opening154may be positioned adjacent to and above the front face142. The front face142and overflow opening154may be positioned to face outward from a building or house that the downspout18and filter126are secure to, so that is it easy to observe fluid or water flowing out of the overflow opening154. The overflow opening154may also be orientated at an angle relative to the front face142of the housing128, such that fluid or water flowing out the overflow opening154may be directed partially upward and partially outward from the filter126. This further increases the ease of observing fluid or water flowing out of the overflow opening154, since the fluid or water is being directed outward from the filter126and not simply downward where the fluid or water may trace along the outer surface of the filter126or any adjacent conduit that is disposed below the filter126, which would be more difficult to observe particularly from a distance.

The top end138of the housing128may be a separate component from a remainder156of the housing128. The top end138of the housing128may be secured to the remainder156of the housing128via fasteners, clips, snaps, etc. The top end138of the housing128and the remainder156of the housing128may also define a slot158, that is configured to receive a portion of the access panel152. The sections of the top end138of the housing128and the remainder156of the housing128that are adjacent to the slot158may function to trap the portions of the access panel152within the slot158to retain the access panel152in a desired position (e.g., the position depicted inFIGS.9and14-15). The filter plate144and the access panel152may be flexible so that the filter plate144and the access panel152may be manipulated into and out of the respective desired positions during installation onto or removal from the housing128. The filter plate144and the access panel152may also be sufficiently rigid to remain in the respective desired positioned when no external force is applied.

The top end138of the housing128may include a step160. A cross-sectional area of the first opening32is decreased from a first value to a second value along the step160and in a direction that extends away from the internal cavity130. For example, the portion of the first opening132where the cross-sectional area is equal to the first value may be sized to receive a four by three inch rectangular tube, conduit, or pipe, while the portion of the first opening132where the cross-sectional area is equal to the second value may be sized to receive a three by two inch rectangular tube, conduit, or pipe. In the event the larger-sized connection (e.g., the portion of the top end138where the cross-sectional area of the first opening132is equal to the second value) is required for connecting the housing128to the downspout118, the smaller-sized connection (e.g., the portion of the top end138where the cross-sectional area of the first opening132is equal to the first value) may be cut off from the remainder of the housing128. For example, the portion of the top end138that includes the smaller-sized connection may be cut off from the remainder of the housing128by cutting the housing128along dashed line165.

The bottom end140of the housing128may be sized for connecting to a circular tube, conduit, or pipe. The bottom end140of the housing128may include clips, snaps, or tabs166to connect to a corrugated tube, conduit, or pipe. In the event the bottom end140is to be connected to a non-corrugated tube, conduit, or pipe, a portion of the bottom end140that includes the clips, snaps, or tabs166may be cut off from the remainder of the housing128. For example, the portion of the bottom end140that includes the clips, snaps, or tabs166may be cut off from the remainder of the housing128by cutting the housing128along dashed line168.

The filter plate144includes a removable central portion170that provides access to the lower chamber150from the upper chamber148when removed. The removeable central portion170may be removed so that a hose, jet, heat cable, etc. may be placed into the drainage conduit20that is positioned below the bottom end140of the housing128. A hose or jet may be used to clean out the drainage conduit20. A heat cable may be used to prevent water from freezing within the drainage conduit20, particularly during the winter months, which could cause damage to the conduit.

The removable central portion170of the filter plate144is configured to lock and unlock to and from a remainder of the filter plate144via rotation relative the remainder of the filter plate144. The remainder of the filter plate44may be referred to as the main portion of the filter plate144. The removable central portion170of the filter plate144includes a first set of tabs. The remainder of the filter plate includes a second set of tabs. The first set of tabs are configured to align with the second tabs to lock the removable central portion170of the filter plate144to the remainder of the filter plate144. The remainder of the filter plate144defines slots. The first set of tabs are configured to align with the slots to unlock the removable central portion170of the filter plate144from the remainder of the filter plate. The filter plate144may include ribs that extending upward from an upper surface of the filter plate144. The ribs are configured to separate debris from the upper surface of the filter plate144to facilitate flow of fluid or water through the filter plate144. More specifically, the ribs are configured to lift the debris off of the upper surface of the filter plate144so the openings defined by the grating of the filter plate144are separated from the debris so that the fluid or water may flow through the openings.

The housing128also includes a front panel172, a back panel174, and a pair of opposing spaced-apart side panels176. The front panel172, back panel174, and side panels176may collectively define the internal cavity130. The pair of opposing spaced-apart side panels176may also be referred to as the first and second side panels. The front panel172, back panel174, and side panels176are disposed between the top end138and the bottom end138. The housing128also includes at least one sloped surface178that extends into the internal cavity130and partially defines the internal cavity130such that the internal cavity tapers130in a direction180that extends from the top end138to the bottom end140of the housing128along the at least one sloped surface178. Direction180may correspond to vertical direction146. The at least one sloped surface178operates to channel the water that is flowing downward through the housing128toward the second opening134so that the water is directed toward the drainage conduit20. The at least one sloped surface178also operates to channel water so that it is not directed to the access panel152in order to reduce or eliminate water leakage from the housing128via gaps between the access panel152and the housing128along the third opening136.

More specifically, the at least one sloped surface178may include two sloped surfaces. The two sloped surfaces may be referred to as first and second sloped surfaces. Each of the sloped surfaces178may extend between the back panel174and one of the side panels176. Even more specifically, a first of the sloped surfaces178may extend between the back panel174and the first of the side panels176while a second of the sloped surfaces178may extend between the back panel174and the second of the side panels176.

The front panel172may define the third opening136, which may be referred to as an access opening. The access panel152is disposed over the third opening136and may be removed to provide access to the internal cavity130via the third opening so that debris may be removed from the internal cavity130. The access panel152has a secondary sloped surface182that extends into the internal cavity130and partially defines the internal cavity130such that the internal cavity130tapers in the direction180that extends from the top end138to the bottom end140of the housing128along the secondary sloped surface182. The secondary sloped surface182further operates to channel the water that is flowing downward through the housing128toward the second opening134so that the water is directed toward the drainage conduit20. The secondary sloped surface182also operates to channel water away from the access panel152to reduce or eliminate water leakage from the housing128via gaps between the access panel152and the housing128along the third opening136.

The housing128also includes a frustoconical section184that is disposed below the at least one sloped surface178and the secondary sloped surface182. An internal surface185of the frustoconical section184is sloped or funnel-shaped, extends into the internal cavity130, and partially defines the internal cavity130such that the internal cavity130further tapers in the direction180that extends from the top end138to the bottom end140of the housing128along the internal surface185of the frustoconical section184. The internal surface185of the frustoconical section184further operates to channel the water that is flowing downward through the housing128toward the second opening134so that the water is directed toward the drainage conduit20.

The filter plate144may be more specifically disposed within the internal cavity130between the front panel172and the back panel174. The filter plate144may also be positioned at an angle within the internal cavity130such that an upper end of the filter plate144is adjacent to the back panel174while a lower end of the filter plate144is adjacent to the front panel172. The filter plate144may include offset sections186that are disposed adjacent to and provide clearance for the sloped surfaces178. More specifically, the filter plate144may include first and second offset sections186that are offset upward along the top surface of the filter plate144, and are disposed adjacent to and provide clearance for the first and second sloped surfaces178, respectively. The offset sections186may also be grated so debris may be collected along on the top sides of the offset sections186while fluid or water may flow through the openings defined by the grating along the offset sections186of the filter plate144.

The top end138of the housing128may engage a top end of the filter plate144along an angled ledge188. The housing128may further include tabs190that engage the bottom end of the filter plate144. Collectively, the angled ledge188and the tabs190operate to retain the filter plate within the internal cavity130.

It should be understood that the designations of first, second, third, fourth, etc. for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order with respect to the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that any component, state, or condition described herein that does not have a numerical designation may be given a designation of first, second, third, fourth, etc. in the claims if one or more of the specific component, state, or condition are claimed.