Abstract:
A septic tank filter that will automatically clean its filtering screen by means of mechanical action resulting from changes in effluent level within the pump chamber of a compartmentalized tank is disclosed. In conjunction with a float, connecting cable, pulleys, and weights; changes in effluent level within the pump chamber of a compartmentalized tank will cause a brush, within the filter unit, to pass over and clean the filter screen within that unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Septic tank filters can be bypassed as a result of becoming clogged. This invention will keep the filter clean. 
         [0002]    Septic tank filters become clogged and generally are not cleaned as often as necessary. Servicing most present-day filters requires opening the septic tank, manually removing the filter screen and washing it with either a hose or in a bucket; a messy and unsanitary job. Once the filter screens are clogged, waste from the septic tank bypasses the filter. This results in harmful particles entering the tank&#39;s pump chamber and subsequently the associated drain field. These particles will eventually clog the drain field. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention, a Self-Cleaning Septic Tank Filter, hereinafter Filter, is designed to work in a sewage system that is connected to a septic tank with an adjoining pump chamber. A pump that periodically discharges effluent from the pump chamber into an associated drain field is required for the operation of this invention. The Filter is located in the septic tank section of the compartmentalized waste treatment tank. Effluent passes from the septic tank through a series of tubes (one of which contains filtration screens) and into the pump chamber. As the automatically operated discharge pump periodically empties the pump chamber into the drain field, the effluent level changes in the pump chamber. This causes the float in the pump chamber to rise and fall. This float is connected, by cable, to a brush in the Filter. As the float rises and falls, the brush in the Filter moves in the opposite direction. This action causes the brush to pass over the internal filter screen, keeping it free of debris. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ENCLOSED HEREWITH IS AS FOLLOWS 
         [0004]    The version of the invention discussed herein includes:
     1 . Tube with circular cut-outs along two sides—Filter Tube.     2 . Tube with an elongated section cut from all but the top portion of the tube—Transfer Tube.     3 . Connecting and Cleanout tube—Four-way Connector.     4 . Tube with an angled cut at one end—Discharge Tube.     5 . Tube cap with a half-moon section cut from the top and side and a threaded hole placed in the center of the top—Filter Tube Cap.     6 . Conduit threaded on one end—Conduit.     7 . Threaded plug—Plug.     8 . Tube cap with a half-moon section cut from the top and side and a large hole cut into the center of the top—Transfer Tube Cap.     9 . Tube Cap—Weighted Float Cap.     10 . Short Tube—Weighted Float Tube.     11 . Long Brush with a core threaded on one end and an eye on the other—Brush.     12 . Metal shot—Weight.     13 . Internal Filter Screen     14 . Pulley, eye bolt, washer and nut—Pulley Unit.     15 . Eyebolt with washer and nut—Eyebolt.     16 . Pliable ball—Shock Absorber.     17 . Supple cord—Cable     18 . Bolt with washers and nut—Insert Bolt.     19 . Twist wire—Wire.     20 . Carriage bolt with washers and nuts—Spacer Bolt.     21 . External Filter Screen.     22 . Four-way tube cap with attached short tube—Cleanout Cap.     23 . Screw and Washer—Screw     24 . Small tube cap—Brush Weight Cap.     25 . Connecting Tube.     26 . Brush Nut.     27 . Hose Clamp—Clamp.   
 
       
    
    
       [0032]    Orientation of the drawings in  FIG. 1  is such that it shows, in elevation, the right side of the invention as it would appear with its Discharge Tube  4  penetrating the dividing wall of a compartmentalized waste treatment tank. The rear of the invention is to the left.  FIG. 2  is the rear elevation and shows Filter Tube  1 , External Filter Screens  21 , Screw  23 , Clamps  27 , Filter Tube Cap  5 , Transfer Tube  2 , Conduit  6 , Four-way Connector  3 , Insert Bolt  18 , Plug  7  and Cleanout Cap  22 .  FIG. 3  shows the same aforementioned items plus Transfer Tube Cap  8 , Spacer Bolt  20 , Discharge Tube  4 , Eyebolt  15 , Cable  17  and attached Weighted Float  FIG. 11  with its Pulley Unit  14 , Weighted Float Cap  9  and Weighted Float Tube  10 .  FIG. 4  is the front elevation showing best the Insert Bolt  18 .  FIG. 5  the top view and  FIG. 6  the bottom view showing best the lower External Filter Screen  21 , and the Transfer Tube Cap  8  with the Internal Filter Screen  13  as it appears pressed into the Transfer Tube Cap  8 .  FIG. 7  depicts a sectional view in elevation of the Filter Tube  1 , showing Internal Filter Screen  13  and Insert Bolt  18  plus elements noted in the lower portion of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  best shows the relationship of the moving parts of the invention. They are: Weighted Float  FIG. 12  (showing components Pulley Unit  14 , Weighted Float Cap  9 , Weighted Float Tube  10  and Weight  12 ), Cable  17 , Pulley Units  14  and Brush  11  with its attached Shock Absorber  16 , Brush Weight  FIG. 14  (showing components Brush Weight Cap  24 , Connecting Tube  25  and Weight  12 ) and Brush Nut  26 . The positioning and attachment of the Internal Filter Screen  13  with Wire  19  to the Filter Tube  1  is best shown in  FIGS. 9 &amp; 10 ; with  FIG. 10  having the Brush  11  and associated components eliminated from view.  FIGS. 11 &amp; 13  are views in elevation of the Weighted Float and Brush Weight respectively. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The invention consists of four primary sections; Filter Tube  1 , Transfer Tube  2 , Four-way Connector  3  and Discharge Tube  4 , and two primary moving parts; Weighted Float  FIG. 11  and Brush  11 . 
         [0034]    A Filter Tube  1  is cut to length and holes are drilled along two sides. One set of holes is fewer and slightly larger than the other. On the inside of the Filter Tube  1  and conforming to its interior contour, the Internal Filter Screen  13  is placed over the smaller holes and secured with Wire  19 .  FIG. 9  is a view in elevation of the Filter Tube  1 , showing the Internal Filter Screen  13  behind the cut-outs.  FIG. 10  is a sectional view in elevation of the Filter Tube  1 , showing the placement of the Internal Filter Screen  13  over the cut-outs. 
         [0035]    A half-moon section is cut from the top and side of the Filter Tube Cap  5 . Next a hole is drilled and threaded into the top and a Conduit  6  placed therein. The Filter Tube Cap  5  is then placed on top of and fused to the Filter Tube  1 . On the outside of the Filter Tube  1 , the External Filter Screen  21  is wrapped over the larger holes. 
         [0036]    The Transfer Tube  2  is cut to length and along one side an elongated opening is cut from all but a small section at the top. Near the bottom of the tube, opposite the elongated opening, is inserted a Spacer Bolt  20 . A half-moon section is cut from the top and side of the Transfer Tube Cap  8 . Next a large circular opening is cut from the top of the. Transfer Tube Cap  8 , and a section of Interior Filter Screen  13  is pressed into place over the opening. The Transfer Tube Cap  8  is then placed on the bottom of the Transfer Tube  2  and fused thereto. 
         [0037]    The Weighted Float  FIG. 11  is constructed by fusing the Weighted Float Cap  9  to the bottom of the pre-cut Weighted Float Tube  10 . Next a specified amount of Weight  12  is placed therein. A Pulley Unit  14  is inserted into the other Weighted Float Cap  9 , and the combination is fused to the top of the Weighted Float Tube  10 . The Brush Weight  FIG. 13  is constructed by first drilling holes in the Brush Weight Caps  24 , taping over the hole in the lower cap and fusing it to the bottom of the pre-cut Connecting Tube  25 . The other Brush Weight Cap  24  is fused to the top of the Connecting Tube  25 , and a specified amount of Weight  12  is inserted through its opening.  FIGS. 12 &amp; 14  depict the vertical sections of the Weighted Float and Brush Weight respectively showing the placement of Weight  12  therein. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is an elevation in cross section showing the Filter Tube  1 , placed lengthwise into the elongated opening in the Transfer Tube  2 , so that the smaller set of holes protrude into the Transfer Tube  2 . The two tubes are held together with Clamps  27 , most of which also hold the External Filter Screen  21  in place.  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3  are exterior views in elevation of the Filter Tube  1 , showing External Filter Screens  21  over the larger cut-outs and secured with Clamps  27 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a Pulley Unit  14  is attached to the inside top of the plugged end of the Four-way Connector  3 . Another Pulley Unit  14  is attached to the inside top of the outflow end of the Discharge Tube  4 . The Four-way Connector  3  is placed on top of the Transfer Tube  2  and fused thereto in such a manner that allowed Conduit  6  to protrude through a previously drilled hole in the lower rear of its underside. The Discharge Tube  4  is inserted into the outflow (right) end of the Four-way Connector  3  and secured by means of an Insert Bolt  18 , as best shown in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . 
         [0040]    A Brush  11  has the Brush Weight  FIG. 13  forced onto the lower threaded end of its core breaking through the taped end. The Brush Weight  FIG. 13  is then secured to the core with the Brush Nut  26 . A Shock Absorber  16  is slipped over the end of the Cable  17 . The Cable  17  is then attached to the eye of the Brushes&#39;  11  core and the Shock Absorber  16  is slid down the Cable  17  until it covers the eye of the Brush  11 . This combination is inserted into the Filter Tube  1  and held in place by the insertion of Insert Bolt  18 . The Cable  17  is threaded through the Pulley Units  14 , including the one on the Weighted Float  FIG. 11 , and attached to an Eyebolt  15  located on the bottom of the Discharge Tube  4 . 
         [0041]    A threaded Plug  7  is placed in the open end of the Four-way Connector  3 , and a Cleanout Cap  22  is inserted on its top. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  shows best the External Filter Screen  21 , attached by Screws  23 , to the bottom of the Filter Tube  1 . 
         [0043]    How the invention works: The invention is now assembled, with  FIG. 1  showing in elevation the right side view of the Filter in its operating position with its Discharge Tube  4  penetrating the wall between the septic tank and pump chamber. The Weighted Float  FIG. 11  will rise and fall as the effluent level fluctuates within the pump chamber. This vertical movement of the Weighted Float  FIG. 11 , which is tethered by Cable  17  to the Brush  11 , will cause the Brush  11 , located in the Filter Tube  1 , to move up and down. In doing so, it will pass over the Internal Filter Screen  13 . This action will keep the Internal Filter Screen  13  free of debris and allow for the free flow of effluent from the septic tank, through the Filter and into the pump chamber. The Brush  11  should have little effect on the External Filter Screens  21 . 
         [0044]    How to use the invention: The Filter&#39;s Discharge Tube  4  is inserted into the pre-existing drain hole located in the dividing wall located between the septic tank and pump chamber of a compartmentalized tank. The Four-way Connector  3 , being fused to the rest of the Filter, is then slipped over the end of the Discharge Tube  4  and secured by the insertion of Insert Bolt  18 . The effluent in the pump chamber is reduced to its lowest level. The Weighted Float  FIG. 11  is placed on the surface of the effluent. The Cable  17 , having previously been attached to the Brush  11  in the Filter Tube  1  and passed through the Pulley Units  14  (including the one on the Weighted Float  FIG. 11 ) is pulled taunt and attached to the Eyebolt  15 . 
         [0045]    The Filter is now ready to operate automatically. The effluent level in the pump chamber will rise due to the flow of effluent from the septic tank through the Filter and into the pump chamber. This causes the Weighted Float  FIG. 11  to rise. This in turn releases tension on the Cable  17 , allowing the Brush Weight  FIG. 13  to pull the Brush  11  down through the Filter Tube  1  and across the Internal Filter Screen  13  to the stop provided by the Insert Bolt  18 . Once the effluent in the pump chamber is elevated to a certain level, the pump chamber pump is automatically activated. This ejects effluent from the pump chamber into the associated drain field. As the effluent level in the pump chamber is lowered, the Weighted Float  FIG. 11  drops. The Weighted Float  FIG. 11 , being heavier than the Brush  11  and its associated Brush Weight  FIG. 13 , increases the tension on the Cable  17 . This in turn, causes the Brush  11  to be pulled upward, again passing over and again cleaning the Internal Filter Screen  13 . This operation will continue as long as waste flows into the septic tank, and the pump within the pump chamber ejects effluent into the drain field. 
         [0046]    Whenever the septic and pump chamber tanks are serviced (pumped clear of effluent and solids) the filter can be cleaned by removal of the Cleanout Cap  22  and spraying water down both the Filter Tube  1  and the Transfer Tube  2 . The openings provided by the Internal Filter Screen  13  in the Transfer Tube Cap  8  provide the means and is for the purpose of cleaning the Transfer Tube  2 .