Tie-off member for pedestal sump pumps

A mounting and handling shroud for a pedestal-type sump pump includes a cup-shaped member mounted to the sump pump motor. The cup shaped member has an end shroud plate contiguous with an outer shroud plate extending along at least a portion of the motor housing, generally perpendicular to the end shroud plate. The mounting member includes at least one mounting element formed therein that defines an opening for securing the motor to the sump. The mounting element includes a handle portion extending generally transversely relative to the outer shroud plate and a depending leg portion that defines a handle. The shroud can include a pump start switch, pump power and running indicators and a power cord strain relief device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a securing member for a pedestal-type sump 
pump. More particularly, the invention relates to a securing tie-off 
member for a pedestal-type sump pump motor that incorporates functional 
components. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Sump pumps are in widespread use in most every residential and commercial 
structure. There are two common types of sump pumps. One known type of 
sump pump is commonly referred to as a submersible-type pump. In a 
submersible-type pump arrangement, the pump, including the motor, is 
positioned in a sump such that the entire assembly may be subject to 
immersion in the liquid in the sump. That is, the pump and motor may be 
positioned below the operating liquid level of the sump. 
A pedestal-type pump, on the other hand, is configured such that the 
liquid-handling pump portion of the assembly rests in a sump below or at a 
normal liquid operating level. The motor portion of the pump assembly is 
mounted in spaced relation to the pump portion, and is typically above the 
normal operating water level. In this manner, the pump motor is generally 
not subject to immersion into the liquid in the sump. 
Those skilled in the art will recognize that because the pump motor has 
considerable mass, pedestal-type sump pumps can be rather unstable when 
positioned in the sump. In an effort to increase the stability of such 
pumps, a variety of sump pump mounting arrangements have been developed. 
In one known mounting arrangement, the pump body is bolted or otherwise 
fixedly secured to the floor of the sump. Although this is an effective 
manner in which to secure the pump to the sump base, there still exists 
the instability associated with a large mass, i.e., the pump motor, that 
is positioned in spaced relation to (e.g., above) the fixedly mounted pump 
body. As such, the pump motor can produce a cantilever effect along the 
pump shaft, which in turn can adversely affect the performance and the 
life of the pump. Moreover, in such an arrangement, the pump can tip 
within the sump. This can result in binding of the pump float switch and 
consequent overflow of the sump. 
Another known mounting method includes angled-type clamps that are affixed 
to upright portions of the pump and fixedly mounted to surfaces adjacent 
to the top of the sump. While this manner of securing the sump pump has 
proven effective in securing the pump, it has a number of drawbacks. 
First, because the clamps are fixedly mounted to both the pump motor and 
to adjacent surfaces there is no stress relief which may be necessary due 
to vibration or otherwise shifting of the pump. Second, the fixed mounting 
configuration increases the time necessary to remove the pump from the 
sump in the event that the pump requires maintenance or replacement. 
In another type of mounting arrangement, the sump pump is mounted to a sump 
cover that extends over the top of the sump. This mounting method suffers 
from some of the same drawbacks as the angled clamp mounting 
configuration. That is, in order to access the pump for maintenance or 
removal, it may be necessary to manipulate the pump and/or the sump cover, 
which can be cumbersome and time consuming. Moreover, this mounting 
configuration also suffers from the rigidity problems associated with the 
angled clamp mounting configuration in that stress relief may not be 
provided for vibration or shifting of the pump. 
In yet another known mounting configuration, the pump is fitted with an 
uppermost plate that envelopes the pump motor shaft and discharge piping. 
The plate includes a number of eye hooks to which cables can be connected 
to lift the pump and/or secure the pump in place. While this is an 
effective method for handling and mounting the pump, the additional weight 
of the upper plate can cause the pump assembly to become unstable and can 
increase the cantilever effect at the upper portion of the pump. 
Accordingly, there continues to be a need for a sump pump mounting 
configuration that facilitates securing the pump to the sump, and provides 
for ease of handling of the pump. Such a mounting configuration includes 
provisions for alarms such as high water alarms, switches for pump 
initiation and termination, motor starting switches, pump cord strain 
relief devices and the like. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A mounting and handling shroud is used with a pedestal-type sump pump. The 
sump pump includes a base portion housing a pump impeller and a motor 
enclosed within a housing. The housing has upper and lower end walls and 
an outer wall. The motor is operably connected, in spaced relation, to the 
pump impeller by a shaft. The shroud includes a cup-shaped member having 
an end shroud plate contiguous with an outer shroud plate extending in a 
generally perpendicular orientation to the end plate. The outer shroud 
plate defines a generally circular configuration. 
The cup-shaped member surrounds at least one of the upper and lower end 
walls and at least a portion of the outer wall. In one preferred 
configuration, the end shroud plate lies adjacent to the lower end wall of 
the motor housing, and includes an opening therein for receiving the pump 
shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the end shroud plate is an upper 
end shroud plate that lies adjacent to the upper end wall of the motor 
housing. 
The shroud includes at least one mounting member formed therein. The 
mounting member includes an opening therein for receiving an associated 
securing element, such as a cable, rope or chain, for mounting the sump 
pump to the side of an associated sump. The mounting member includes a 
handle having a first projecting portion extending from the shroud outer 
plate in a direction generally perpendicular thereto and a leg portion 
contiguous with the first projection that extends generally parallel to 
and spaced from the outer shroud plate. 
Advantageously, the present mounting and handling shroud facilitates 
securing the pump to the sump sides and provides for ease of handling of 
the pump. The present configuration permits ready maintenance of the pump 
and replacement thereof if necessary. Integrally mounted switches and 
alarms provide a single, unitary assembly by which all of the pump 
operational and monitoring requirements can be met. In addition, the 
present arrangement permits the pump to accommodate slight movement 
necessary as a result of vibration and the like, to reduce the stresses on 
interconnecting piping. 
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent 
from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and 
the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, 
there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently 
preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure 
is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not 
intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
Referring now to the figures and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a 
pedestal-type sump pump generally illustrated at 10. The pump 10 includes 
a pump base portion 12 and a motor 14 positioned above and in spaced 
relation to the base portion 12. In a typical configuration the base 
portion 12 rests on the floor of an associated sump S, and may be mounted 
or otherwise fixedly secured thereto. A motor shaft 16 extends between the 
motor 14 and the pump base portion 12, and is connected to a pump impeller 
18 which is positioned in the base portion 12. In a typical arrangement, a 
shaft sleeve 20 extends between the motor and the base portion, 
surrounding or enveloping the pump shaft 16. The sleeve 20 provides 
structural rigidity to the pump 10, and provides personnel protection from 
the rotating shaft 16. 
In a typical arrangement, a discharge pipe or discharge line D extends 
upward from the pump base 12 and is routed out of the sump to a discharge 
line, such as a sewage line. 
Those skilled in the art will recognize that while portions of such pump 
assemblies 10 can be formed of relatively light weight material such as 
plastic, the pump motor 14 represents a large portion of the weight of the 
pump assembly 10 because it is typically manufactured from a majority of 
metal components. As such, a relatively large proportion of the weight of 
the pump 10 is spaced from the stable base portion 12. 
The motor 14 includes a housing 42 having an outer wall 24 and upper and 
lower walls 24 and 26, respectively. A mounting shroud 30 is mounted or 
affixed to the housing 22. The shroud 30 is an element separate from and 
mounted to the motor housing 22. The shroud 30 is positioned on or 
connected to the motor 14 during assembly of the pump 10. The shroud 30 
includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of mounting elements 32, 
32a from which connectors C, such as cables can extend between the shroud 
30 and the sides of the sump S. In a preferred embodiment, the shroud 30 
is formed of a plastic material and the mounting elements 32 are formed 
integral with the plastic shroud 30. The elements 32 can be formed as 
integral, outwardly extending projections 34 having bores or openings 36 
formed thereon. 
At least one 32a of the mounting elements 32 is formed having an angled 
configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. The angled configuration includes a 
base portion 38 that extends outwardly, radially from the motor 44 that is 
contiguous with a downwardly extending portion or leg 40. The outwardly 
extending base portion 38, contiguous with the leg portion 40 defines a 
hand grip or a handle 42 that provides for readily manipulating the pump 
10, such as for positioning the pump 10 in or removing the pump 10 from 
the sump S. 
In a most preferred embodiment, the shroud 30 includes various indicators, 
switches and alarms. Contemplated switches include a float switch 44, for 
on-off control of the pump 10, and a motor starting switch 46. A high 
water alarm 48 can also be incorporated into the shroud 30. Indicators, 
such as a power indicator 50 and a pump running indicator 52 can also be 
incorporated into the shroud 30. It is further contemplated that a power 
cord strain relief device 54 can be incorporated into the shroud 30. Such 
a device 54 clamps the power cord 56 at its exit from the shroud 30 and 
prevents straining the connections from the power cord 56 to the pump 
motor 14 in the event of shifting or vibration of the pump 10. 
As best seen in FIGS. 2-3, the shroud 30 can be configured having a 
cup-like shape, that is adapted to fit to the bottom of the pump motor 14. 
The bottom mount configuration includes a lower shroud plate 60 having an 
opening 62 therein for passage of the motor shaft 16 and sleeve 20 
therethrough. 
The lower shroud plate 60 is contiguous with an upwardly extending outer 
shroud plate 64. The outer shroud plate 64 surrounds or envelopes at least 
a portion of the lower portion of the motor outer wall 24 and lower end 
wall 28. The mounting elements 32 extend outwardly, preferably from the 
outer shroud plate 64. In a most preferred configuration, the alarms 48, 
switches 44, 46 and strain relief device 54 are formed in the outer shroud 
plate 64. It will, however, be recognized by those skilled in the art that 
the switches 44, 46, alarms 48 and strain relief device 54 can be formed 
in the lower shroud plate 60 or at about a juncture of the lower and outer 
shroud plates 60, 64, respectively. 
An alternate embodiment, that includes a top mounted shroud 130 is shown in 
FIG. 4. The top mount configuration includes all of the features of the 
bottom mount design 30. In the top mount configuration, the cup-shaped 
shroud 130 fits over the upper portion of the motor outer wall and the 
upper end wall 26 of the motor 14. The top mount shroud 130 includes an 
upper shroud plate 132 that is contiguous with a downwardly extending, 
depending outer shroud plate 134. The outer shroud plate 134 extends 
downwardly at least over a portion of the motor housing 22. 
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the top mount 
configuration 130 precludes the need for an opening in the upper shroud 
plate 132 in that the motor shaft 16 does not extend therethrough. 
The mounting elements 32 extend from the top mount shroud 130, preferably 
from the outer shroud plate 134. Alternatively, the mounting elements 32 
can extend from the upper shroud plate 132 or from a location at about a 
juncture of the upper and outer shroud plates 132, 134, respectively. The 
alarms 48, indicators 52, switches 44, 46, and cord strain relief device 
54 extend, in a preferred arrangement, from the outer shroud plate 134. 
Again, alternately, these devices can be formed in the upper shroud plate 
132 or at about a juncture of the upper and outer shroud plates 132, 134, 
respectively. 
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present mounting shroud 
30, 130 provides a number of advantages over known mounting devices. 
First, the present mounting shroud 30, 130 provides ready access to the 
pump 10 to perform maintenance on the pump 10, or to remove the pump 10 
from the sump S. The mounting elements 32 provide an arrangement that 
permits readily connecting and disconnecting the pump 10 from the sump S. 
The handle 42 formed as part of the mounting element 32a eases 
installation and removal of the pump 10 from the sump S. 
In addition, the incorporation of various alarms and switches into the 
mounting shroud 30, 130 facilitates manufacture of the pump 10. In many 
known pumps, separate components are incorporated into or subsequently 
connected to the pump to form the pump assembly. In the present pump 
shroud 30, 130 arrangement, the previously separate components are mounted 
within a single, unitary shroud 30, 130 that is mounted to the pump 10. 
Those skilled in the art will also recognize that in many known sump pump 
configurations, it is not uncommon for the pump to shift or tip over 
within the sump. This can result in the pump float switch binding against 
the side of the sump or otherwise becoming inoperative. This, in turn, can 
cause failure of the pump to start and can result in overflow of the sump. 
The present mounting shroud 30, 130 provides an easy and effective mounting 
configuration that prevents the pump 10 from shifting or tipping to the 
extent that the float switch 44 would bind against the side of the sump S. 
While this configuration increases the reliability of pump 10 operation, 
it also permits the pump 10 to be mounted such that a small amount of 
movement of the assembly is permitted, which reduces the stresses on the 
components and outer connecting piping that such components and piping 
would otherwise be subject to, in a rigid or fixed mounting arrangement. 
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and 
variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and 
scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be 
understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments 
illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended 
to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the 
scope of the claims.