Abstract:
A below-grade sewer reservoir provides a compartment for storing excess sewage in the event of excessive rainfall and sewage backup. An inlet pipe allows sewage to flow into the reservoir from a standard sanitary sewer pipe, and an outlet check valve on the output side of the reservoir permits normal flow to occur through the reservoir and prevents backflow of sewage when the mains are flooded

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/955,916, filed on Aug. 15, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a plumbing device, and more specifically to a reservoir to accumulate raw sewage to permit outflow lines to clear thereby preventing backups during rainstorms and similar events. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Excessive rainfall causes a decline in the rate of sewer drainage. In low lying areas, especially in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, water levels can rise significantly from heavy rainfall or storm surges resulting from the approach of tropical storms or hurricanes. Therefore, there is a need for some place for sewage to accumulate while sewer levels lower thereby preventing raw sewage from backing up into homes, business and warehouses. This invention may also prevent flooding due to sewage backup by storing excess sewage until outflow returns to normal. This is especially helpful in older neighborhoods where sewer capacity is smaller than demand peaks. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a sewer reservoir, comprising a below-grade collector compartment. The collector compartment provides an opening on the inlet side for receiving sewage flow, an access hatch at the top of the compartment for periodic servicing, an opening on the outlet side for directing sewage flow to a main sewer, and a one-way check valve on the outlet side wherein sewage backflow into the reservoir is prevented in the case of excess flow or sewage backup. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is an overall schematic drawing of the principal components of a below-grade sewer reservoir in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the reservoir has a prismatic configuration. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the embodiment of the design as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an end-view of the embodiment of the design as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the top of the design as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is an alternative embodiment of the design showing a tapered barrel-shaped collector compartment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the design showing a straight barrel-shaped collector compartment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is an alternative embodiment of the design showing the barrel collector with the inlet elevated above the outlet thereby providing a non-collinear input and output. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates the principal components of a design for a below-grade sewer reservoir  10 . The collector compartment  12  stores excess sewage in the event of sewage backup. An inlet  14  provides a means for sewage flow into the compartment  12  from a standard sanitary sewer line from a house, business or the like. An access hatch or top  16  at the top of the compartment for visual inspection or periodic servicing, and an outlet  18  equipped with a check valve to allow sewage to flow into the main sewer lines while preventing backflow from said line. 
         [0013]    The collector compartment  12  is buried in the ground to a depth so the bottom flow path is collinear with the existing sewer line. Sewage flows through the compartment as through the sewage line during normal conditions, but is stored in the compartment  12  in the event of excessive rainfall or sewage backup on the outlet side of the reservoir, which closes the backflow valve and prevents further reverse flow of the sewage into the inlet side of the reservoir. Flow from the sewage line passes into the collector compartment  12  and passes through a one-way outlet or check valve  18 , thereby preventing backflow of sewage in the event of excess sewage or sewage blockage on the outflow side of the compartment. In the normal operation of this system, sewage is received from the inlet pipe  14  and flows immediately through the bottom of collector compartment  12  and out the outlet side past the backflow valve  18 , which will be open. 
         [0014]    The collector compartment  12  is preferably formed from fiberglass which is both lightweight and resistant to rot after placement in the ground. Alternatively, collector compartment  12  could be fabricated from concrete or metal without departing from the spirit or intent of this invention. 
         [0015]    As more fully shown in  FIG. 2 , the top for the present collector compartment provides a reinforced, ridge cover  16  for the collector compartment  12  providing means for attachment such as screws or bolts  20  for affixing the top to the collector compartment  12 . Tubing  15  can be inserted in the top  16  to extend to the finished grade to permit cleaning or servicing of the collector. A top can be placed over the opening and secured thereto such as by screw or threads (not shown), all in a manner well known in the industry. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the preferred embodiment showing the inlet  14  into which the sanitary drain line from the house or business is directed and attached in a manner well known to plumbers and the construction trades. The prismatic shape of the collector compartment  12  can be readily appreciated from this end view showing the sloping bottom  22  of the collector compartment  12 , at the bottom of which is located the inlet  14  for the sewage. The prismatic shape of the collector compartment  12  facilitates the flow of sewage along the bottom of the collector to the outlet shown in  FIG. 1  at  18 . The outlet  18  is collinear with the inlet  14  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Alternative designs could provide an inlet elevated from the outlet side to further assist gravitational flow into the outlet. Additional alternative designs could provide sloping bottoms both along with longitudinal axis of the collector compartment and from the inlet to the outlet side of the collector. Each of these designs could be readily fashioned from the same materials used to form the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit or intent of the present invention. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 4  the top  16  can be fitted with a tube  15  providing threads to affix a cap to the top of the tube which may be adjusted in length to reach the surface of the grade, thereby permitting pumping of the collector if needed or visual inspection of the integrity of the collector department without digging up the entire compartment. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment of the invention, the collector compartment  512  may have a barrel configuration as shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein the inlet opening  514  is located higher than the outlet opening  518  to assist flow via gravitation. Alternatively, the collector barrel  612  could provide a straight barrel shaped collector compartment and an inlet  614  and an outlet  618  collinear with each other. Moreover, as an additional alternative the barrel shaped configuration could provide an inlet  714  elevated from the longitudinal plane of the outlet  718 . 
         [0019]    Numerous embodiments and alternatives thereof have been disclosed. While the above disclosure includes the best mode belief in carrying out the invention as contemplated by the named inventors, not all possible alternatives have been disclosed. For that reason, the scope and limitation of the present invention is not to be restricted to the above disclosure, but is instead to be defined and construed by the appended claims.