Abstract:
A foundation slab liquid collection and management system is provided. The system includes a system and apparatus including a plurality of drain channels, a plurality of liquid collection plates, a foundation slab, a plurality of channel connecting anchors, a plurality of slab connecting anchors, and at least one liquid collection and storage container, for collecting, storing, treating, or otherwise managing liquid runoff from the slab.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/941,031, filed Feb. 18, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of foundation slabs. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to unique systems for foundation slab liquid collection and management, and methods of use thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Concrete foundation slabs are susceptible to failure since they fail to provide adequate means of protecting the foundation from water damage. Over time, water can seep into the concrete, and eventually cause the concrete and foundation to become damaged or fail. In the winter, the water can freeze, causing the concrete to swell and fracture, potentially affecting the structural integrity of any structure built upon the foundation. A system is needed that can adequately collect and move water away from foundation, such that the foundation remains structurally intact. 
     SUMMARY 
     The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present disclosure is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     In view of the limitations now present in the prior art systems and methods for foundation slab drainage management, the present invention provides a new and novel foundation slab liquid collection and management system and method of use thereof which is simpler in fabrication, more universally functional and more versatile in application and operation than known prior art methods or devices. 
     In various embodiments, the present invention provides a new foundation slab liquid collection and management system and method of use thereof that may be used to collect and manage liquids that fall, spill, or leak onto the slab. It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a new foundation slab liquid collection and management system and method of use thereof that has many novel features not offered by the prior art, that result in a new and novel foundation slab liquid collection and management system which is not apparent, obvious, or suggested, either directly or indirectly by any of the prior art devices, apparatus, or methods. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid collection segment is provided comprising an open rectilinear cross-section and an internal trough for directing liquid to a point of lower gravitational potential energy. The liquid collection segment comprises at least one planar surface adapted to be positioned adjacent a substantially vertical sidewall of a foundation slab. The liquid collection segment may optionally comprise a single drain outlet and a slope for directing a liquid to the drain outlet. The liquid collection segment may comprise a means for interconnecting the liquid collection segment to another liquid collection segment. An upper portion of the liquid collection segment additionally may comprise a grate to allow for ingress of liquid. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid drainage and collection system for a foundation slab is provided, the system comprising a plurality of liquid collection segments, each of the plurality of liquid collection segments comprising an open rectilinear cross-section and an internal trough for directing liquid to a point of lower gravitational potential energy. The plurality of liquid collection segments comprise at least one planar surface adapted to be positioned adjacent a substantially vertical sidewall of a foundation slab. The plurality of liquid collection segments further comprise a single drain outlet and a slope for directing a liquid to the drain outlet, and the system is devoid of any other drain outlet and the drain outlet is provided in fluid communication with a conduit for conveying liquid to at least one of a storage container and a treatment container. Treatment containers of the present invention comprise any one or more of oil/water separators, grease traps, desalinators, flocculators, and similar devices as will be recognized by one of skill in the art. 
     In another embodiment, a liquid drainage and collection system for a foundation slab is provided, the system comprising a plurality of liquid collection segments, each of said plurality of liquid collection segments comprising opposed and substantially parallel side panels, a bottom panel provided substantially perpendicular to said side panels, and an at least partially open upper section to allow for an ingress of liquid into an interior volume of the segment(s). The interior volume of the collection segments preferably comprises a longitudinally extending channel for receiving and conveying liquid, and at least one of the side panels comprises an anchor member for interconnecting a liquid collection segment to a foundation slab. The plurality of liquid collection segments comprises at least one drain outlet and at least one slope for directing a liquid to the drain outlet. 
     In one embodiment, a method of forming a liquid drainage and collection system for a slab foundation is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing a slab foundation with a predetermined thickness and at least one substantially vertical sidewall; providing a plurality of liquid collection segments, each of the plurality of liquid collection segments comprising a substantially vertical surface; positioning the plurality of liquid collection segments such that the substantially vertical surfaces are provided adjacent to the at least one substantially vertical sidewall of said slab foundation, and wherein the plurality of liquid collection segments are in fluid communication with each other, wherein at least one of said liquid collection segments comprises an outlet; providing each of the plurality of liquid collection segments with a desired slope for conveying liquid to at least one adjacent liquid collection segment under the force of gravity; and providing a conduit and a liquid storage and/or treatment container wherein the outlet, the conduit and the liquid storage and/or treatment container are in fluid communication with each other. 
     These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. Further, the summary of the invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the summary of the invention, as well as, in the attached drawings and the detailed description of the invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended to either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this summary of the invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the detailed description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different alternative embodiments. This description is made for illustrating the general principles of the teachings of this disclosure invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosures. 
       It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a liquid collection member according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the foundation slab according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  is on cross-sectional front elevation views of the drain channels and liquid collection plates according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  are front elevation views depicting a plurality of interconnected liquid collection members according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional front elevation view of a liquid collection system according to one embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state; 
         FIG. 6A-6B  is a front elevation view of a liquid collection and storage chamber according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a liquid collection system including liquid storage and/or treatment features according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the Applicant&#39;s intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the method that illustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary method is described in detail without attempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiments described herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the arts, can be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , a foundation slab liquid management and collection system  100  of one embodiment of the present invention is shown which generally comprises a foundation slab  2 , a plurality of liquid collection plates  4 , a plurality of drain channels  6 , a plurality of channel connecting anchors  20 , a plurality of slab connecting anchors  32 , and at least one liquid collection and storage container  12 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the drain channels  6  and liquid collection plates  4  fully assembled, forming the perimeter of the foundation slab liquid management and collection system  100 . The perimeter of the collection system  100  comprises a plurality of drain channels  6  being placed in a rectangular shape and interconnected by channel connecting anchors  20  which further comprise a first angle bracket  22 , a second angle bracket  24 , and a threaded rod insert  26 . The placement of the drain channels  6  to create the perimeter forms a cavity  42  which may optionally contain a plurality of slab reinforcing elements  30  which will act as anchors. The drain channels  6  are in fluid communication with one another and are covered by a plurality of liquid collection plates  4  which direct the flow of liquid into the drain channels  6  and may optionally comprise slab connecting anchors  32 . The drain channels  6  will further allow for the flow of liquid from one drain channel  6  to another until the fluid reaches at least one circular void opening  34 . These features will now be explained in greater detail. 
       FIG. 2 , shows a cross-sectional view through the center of the foundation slab  2 . The foundation slab  2  is rectangular in shape and comprises a body  28  and an outer perimeter  14 . The body  28  of the foundation slab  2  may additionally comprise one or more slab reinforcing elements  30  which are anchored into the ground and extend into the body  28  of the foundation slab  2 . The slab reinforcing elements  30  may comprise steel rebar which may be bent such that the slab reinforcing elements  30  extend first vertically into the body  28  of the foundation slab  2  before bending and further extending laterally throughout the body  28  of the slab  2 . The slab reinforcing elements  30  may be arranged in groups throughout the body  28  of the slab  2 , each group comprising a plurality of slab reinforcing elements  30 . The foundation slab  2  may either be cast-in-place or be a pre-cast foundation slab  2 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  show a front view and back view of the drain channels  6 , respectively. As can be seen, the drain channels  6  are rectangular in shape, having generally a planar top  44 , bottom  46 , front end surface  48 , back end surface  50 , and first and second side surfaces  52 , 54 . The planar top  44  surface has a continuous, recessed void  16  disposed in the center of the drain channel  6  which runs along the entire length of the drain channel  6 . The recessed void  16  is generally U-shaped, having a generally horizontal curved bottom surface  56  that connects to first  58  and second  60  generally vertical side surfaces which extend upward and connects to the generally planar top surface  44  in such a way as to create a recessed edge  18 , such that the distance between the recessed edge  18  and the planar top surface  44  of the drain channel  6  is equal to or greater than the thickness of the liquid collection plates  4 . In an alternative embodiment, the generally U-shaped curved bottom surface  56  may embody a slope, such that gravity facilitates the flow of liquid through the drain channel  6 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  also shows the liquid collection plates  4 . The liquid collection plates  4  have a rectangular cross-section and, as can be seen in  FIGS. 3A-3B , are placed on top of the generally planar top surface  44  of the drain channels  6  such that the liquid collection plates  4  rest on, and are removably connected to, the recessed edge  18  of the recessed void  16 , forming a generally planar surface connection between the liquid collection plates  4  and the generally planar top surface  44  of the drain channels  6 . In a preferred embodiment, the liquid collection plates  4  are grates having a plurality of open regions to allow for the flow of liquid through the grate and into the drain channel  6 . However, the liquid collection plates  4  may be represented in a variety of embodiments, including but not limited to, grates, perforated metal, or concrete with slotted voids. 
     The drain channels  6  are segmented and in certain embodiments comprise straight, curved, or cornered segments. As can be seen in  FIGS. 4A-4B , the drain channels  6  utilize a tongue and groove, or ship lap, connection joint and channel connecting anchors  20  for assembly. The front end surface  48  of the drain channel  6  comprises a tongue connection  62 , which is inserted into the groove connection  64  on the back end surface  50  of the drain channel  6 . Channel connecting anchors  20  are attached to first and second sides of the drain channels  6  and serve to tighten the connection made between the tongue and groove connection joints. The channel connecting anchors  20  are comprised of first angle bracket  22  and second angle bracket  24  fastened together with a threaded rod insert  26  or similar fasteners such as threaded bolts and nuts and/or other features as will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. At least one of the drain channels  6  comprises a circular void opening  34  to allow for liquids to exit the drain channels  6 . 
     To fasten two adjacent drain channels  6 , two channel connecting anchors  20  are used. To install the first channel connecting anchor  20 , the first angle bracket  22  is mounted to the first side of the drain channel  6  and the second angle  24  bracket is mounted to the first side of an adjoining drain channel  6  with both angle brackets receiving a threaded rod insert  26 . To install the second channel connecting anchor  20 , the first angle bracket  22  is mounted to the second side of the drain channel  6  and the second angle bracket  24  is mounted to the second side of an adjoining drain channel  6 , with both angle brackets receiving a threaded rod insert  26 . Once both channel connecting anchors  20  are in place, the threaded rod insert  26  is tightened, further sealing the tongue and groove connection. Once the connection between the tongue and groove is made and tightened by the channel connecting anchors  20 , it may be further sealed utilizing a butyl or similar joint sealing material to create a water tight seal. 
       FIG. 5  shows a center cross-sectional view of the foundation slab  2  and the drain channels  6  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The drain channels  6  are disposed at, and interconnected with, the outer perimeter  14  of the foundation slab  2 . The drain channels  6  interconnect with the outer perimeter  14  of the foundation slab  2  via slab connecting anchors  32 . When the foundation slab  2  is cast in place, the slab connecting anchors  32  may comprise steel rebar embedded or inserted through the side of the drain channel  6  in contact with the outer perimeter  14  of the foundation slab  2 . This allows for the drain channel  6  sides to serve as the form for the foundation slab  2 . When the foundation slab  2  is pre-cast, the slab connecting anchors  32  may comprise any one or more of angle brackets, fastening hardware, or other mechanical connections that serve to connect the drain channels  6  to the outer perimeter  14  of the pre-cast foundation slab  2 . When the drain channels  6  are being interconnected to an existing foundation slab  2 , the slab connecting anchors  32  chosen will depend on the foundation slab  2  that the drain channels  6  are being interconnected to, as well as the given site conditions. The slab connecting anchors  32  used may include any of the previously discussed slab connecting anchors  32  including but not limited to steel rebar, angle brackets, fastening hardware, or other mechanical connections. The connection between the drain channels  6  and the foundation slab  2  may optionally be made permanent by drilling holes into the sides of the existing foundation slab  2  and attaching the drain channel  6  thereto by means of steel rebar and an adhesive which may be an epoxy, cementitous materials, or similar adhesives. 
     The liquid collection and storage chamber  12 , as depicted in the embodiment of  FIGS. 6A-6B , comprises at least one concrete vault having a generally planar slab top  66 , a vault body  68  having a generally planar bottom  70  and side surfaces  72  having a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the slab top  66 . The slab top  66  comprises at least one access opening  36 , whereby a user can access the chamber  12  interior. The storage chamber  12  additionally comprises an outlet opening  38 , which is disposed such that it is lower than the foundation slab  2  and drain channel  6  components, such that liquids can gravitationally flow towards, and be collected by, the liquid collection and storage chamber  12 . In certain embodiments, collected liquids within chambers  12  are treated within the chamber or conveyed to treatment-specific devices including, but not limited to oil/water separators, grease traps, desalinators, flocculators and the like. The liquid collection and storage chamber  12  may be embodied as, but is not limited to, vaults that store, treat, re-use, filter, or otherwise manage the liquid collection from the slab  2 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , a plurality of liquid collection and storage chambers  12  according to one embodiment of the invention is in fluid communication with the drain channels  6  via a transport pipe  40 . The transport pipe  40  is generally circular in shape, have a first and second end and a circumference, wherein the circumference is less than or equal to the circumference of the circular void opening  34  and the outlet opening  38 . A first end of the transport pipe  40  is inserted into the circular void opening  34  of the drain channel  6  and a second end of the transport pipe  40  is inserted into the outlet opening  38  of the storage chamber  12 . In one embodiment, the foundation slab liquid management and collection system  100  comprises a plurality of liquid collection and storage chambers  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  receiving liquid from the drain channels  6 . In this embodiment, the first storage chamber  12   a  will comprise at least two outlet openings  38 . The first outlet opening  38  will receive the transport pipe  40  connected to the circular void opening  34 , while the second outlet opening  38  will receive a second transport pipe  40  which will be inserted into the first outlet opening  38  of a second storage chamber  12   b . In an alternative embodiment, one or more collection and storage chambers  12  receive liquid from a plurality of circular void openings  34  provided in the system. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of storage chambers comprises a different treatment device. 
     It is to be understood that the drain channels  6  may be manufactured in a variety of configurations within the scope and intent of the invention disclosed herein. The present invention may also be fabricated to embody or receive a variety of liquid collection plates including grates, perforated metals, perforated concrete, as well as other liquid permeable materials not specifically referred to herein. 
     The drain channels are contemplated as being manufactured from precast concrete, however other materials may be used including but not limited to, plastic, polymer concrete, or similar materials which may be represented in a variety of types and composition mixes having various combinations of ingredients such as those found in the manufacture of concrete, plastics, polymers, cement, water, cementitious materials, and chemical and or mineral admixtures, coloring agents, which when combined will create the concrete material used to manufacture features of the invention. The invention may also embody a wide variety of different finishes, colors, and textures such as those commonly utilized in the architectural and stone industries. 
     The foundation slab liquid collection and management system is intended for use to capture or collect liquids such as oils, fuels, lubricants, hazardous waste, fire extinguishing chemicals, foams, water, rain or storm water, and other liquids that may be dumped onto, spill from, or leak from equipment such as electrical transformers, electrical cooling systems, air conditioning compressors, air conditioning condensers, or other similar equipment commonly found on a foundation slab. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the invention(s) described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.