Abstract:
A curb inlet filter adapted to work in conjunction with a curb inlet comprised of permeable filter fabric fashioned generally in a V cross section, comprising an upper and lower fabric layer separated by one or more gussets. A user inserts the curb inlet filter into a curb inlet and may apply pressure to push the filter into the curb inlet causing the gussets to compress as the invention enters the curb inlet and resulting in a press fit between the gussets supporting the upper and lower permeable filter fabric layers. The compression fit retains the inlet filter into place and the curb inlet. Water may pass through the permeable filter fabric, while the permeable filter fabric prevents sediment and other unwanted debris from entering the storm water drainage system.

Description:
REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This non provisional patent application claims benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/208,564, titled CURB INLET FILTER, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Aug. 21, 2015, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The field of the invention relates generally to systems and methods for preventing objects from being washed into drain systems such as those drain systems that provide for the egress of storm water from roadways, parking lots, and the like that may comprise curb inlets that provide a pathway for storm water to pass from, for example, a roadway, through a curb inlet, and into a drain system. 
         [0006]    2. Background Art 
         [0007]    Roadways, parking lots, and other similar structures generally comprise large, relatively flat exterior areas that are exposed to precipitation in any of its forms. These areas may act as collectors for precipitation in the form of rain, ice, sleet, and snow. Generally, these areas also comprise systems for collecting the precipitation and directing it into a system of fluid passageways or into a local reservoir so that the precipitation or storm water does not remain on the surface of the roadway, parking lot, or other structure. The precipitation or storm water is sometimes referred to as runoff and is typically in fluid form. In order to achieve collection of runoff so that it may be directed into a reservoir or other system, such as a storm water collection system, a system of gutters, curbs, drains and the like may be utilized. 
         [0008]    A typical roadway surface or parking surface lot may be constructed at a slight gradient so that storm water runoff collects along one or more edges of the surface. The edge against which the water collects may terminate in a curb which may also serve to direct the water. In order for the water collected along the edge of such a surface to be directed into a storm water system, a drain is typically inserted in the curb at one or more desired positions such that storm water may egress the surface, pass through the drain, and continue to flow into the desired storm water collection system which may be a system of channels or pipes, or maybe a reservoir. Such drains or curb inlets represent an opening in the curb through which storm water must pass. 
         [0009]    It is desirable that foreign objects or debris be prevented from passing into a storm water system. Since storm water must pass through the curb inlet as described above, such inlets represent an advantageous point at which filtration or grating may be applied in order to prevent the entry of undesirable objects, or other matter into the storm water drainage and collection system. 
         [0010]    It is especially desirable in certain construction projects, such as, for example, housing construction, commercial construction, road construction, and any other construction that sediment and other unwanted foreign objects or material resulting from such construction activities be prevented from entering storm water systems. In the past, curb inlets have been blocked with items such as sandbags and the like, preventing the flow of water into the curb inlet. While this may prevent the entry of unwanted sediment and other foreign material from entering the storm water drainage system through a curb inlet, it also effectively prevents the curb inlet from performing its intended use, which is, namely, to act as a passageway for storm water runoff egress from, for example, a roadway under construction, into the storm water system. 
         [0011]    Likewise, during times of extreme flooding such as may be experienced during periods of heavy rain such as may be experienced during storm events, it is desirable that storm water runoff be allowed to pass through a curb inlet into a storm water drainage system relatively unimpeded, while still preventing the passage of unwanted sediment or other foreign matter or debris into the storm water system through a curb inlet. 
         [0012]    What is needed in the art, therefore, is an apparatus and/or method adapted to be used in conjunction with a curb inlet that prevents the entry of unwanted debris, sediment, pollutants, trash, yard waste, garbage, foreign objects or other unwanted matter from entering into a storm water drainage and collection system while still allowing fluids such as storm water runoff to pass through the curb inlet relatively unimpeded. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention comprises an apparatus and method that have one or more of the following features and/or steps, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter. 
         [0014]    The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art in that it is a curb inlet filter adapted to be used in conjunction with a curb inlet that operates to prevent the entry of unwanted debris, sediment, hydrocarbons, pollutants, trash, yard waste, garbage, foreign objects or other matter from entering into a storm water drainage and collection system. 
         [0015]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention comprises an apparatus for filtering fluids, comprising an upper permeable fabric filter layer; a lower permeable fabric filter layer; a first side and a second side; wherein each of said first side and said second side comprise a V-shaped or U-shaped portion and wherein the upper permeable fabric filter layer and said lower permeable fabric filter layer being attached along one edge forming a attachment having a first V-shaped or U-shaped side opening and a second V-shaped or U-shaped side opening, and said first side and said second side are attached to said upper permeable fabric filter layer and said lower permeable fabric filter layer such that said the V-section or U-section of said first side is received by said first V-shaped or U-shaped side opening, and the V-section or U-sections of said second side is received by said second V-shaped or U-shaped side opening and wherein the attachment of said upper permeable fabric filter layer, said lower permeable fabric filter layer, said first side and said second side together enclose a V-shaped or U-shaped volume having an open end. 
         [0016]    The curb filter of the present invention is adapted to be inserted into a curb inlet and to be held there in a compression fit. Storm water containing debris, sediment, foreign objects or other matter may enter the curb filter of the invention and be captured there while storm water is allowed to pass. The debris, sediment, hydrocarbons, pollutants, trash, yard waste, garbage, foreign objects or other matter may then be removed. 
         [0017]    The present method and device of the invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by preventing the entry of unwanted debris, sediment, hydrocarbons, foreign objects or other unwanted matter from entering into a storm water drainage and collection system while still allowing fluids such as storm water runoff to pass through the curb inlet relatively unimpeded. The curb filter of the invention captures the unwanted debris, sediment, hydrocarbons, pollutants, trash, yard waste, garbage, foreign objects or other unwanted matter by use of permeable filter fabric that allows fluids, such as, for example, water, to pass while preventing particulate matter and unwanted debris, sediment, hydrocarbons, pollutants, trash, yard waste, garbage, foreign objects or other unwanted matter from passing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the curb filter of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the curb filter of the invention just before the curb filter is inserted into a curb inlet. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the curb filter of the invention after it has been inserted into a curb inlet. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view from the front and side of the curb filter of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view from the front and side of the curb filter of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view from the rear side of the curb filter of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  depicts a cross sectional view of a curb filter of the invention inserted into a curb drain, and further depicting water flow A containing unwanted sediment or other particulate matter  002  entering the curb filter of the invention and being filtered such that substantially sediment-free storm water exits the curb filter of the invention in the direction of flow E, and depicting the curb filter of the invention held in place by compression fit between one or more gussets  107  pressed into compression against upper and lower surfaces of a curb inlet at areas  200  and  201 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of Beltech 4×6 permeable filter fabric material. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of LM 2199 permeable filter fabric material. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of LM 2404 permeable filter fabric material. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of 160N permeable filter fabric material. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of FW 300 permeable filter fabric material. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of FW 403 permeable filter fabric material. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of 140 NL permeable filter fabric material. 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of 180N permeable filter fabric material. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  depicts a data sheet showing material characteristics of FW500 permeable filter fabric material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The following documentation provides a detailed description of the invention. 
         [0036]    Although a detailed description as provided in the attachments contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not merely by the preferred examples or embodiments given. 
         [0037]    As referred to herein, “permeable filter fabric” means any water permeable fabric, such as, for example, a non-woven geotextile. As referred to herein, a non-woven geotextile provides water flow, including planar water flow. They are commonly known as filter fabrics, although woven monofilament geotextiles can also be referred to as filter fabrics. Typical applications for non-woven geotextiles include aggregate drains, asphalt pavement overlays and erosion control. As an example, such water permeable fabrics may be comprised of four, eight, ten, or twelve oz. per square yard non-woven geotextile material, Belton 4×6 geotextile, 140NLO geotextile, 160NO geotextile, 180NO geotextile, Filter Mat OC geotextile, FW404 geotextile, FW500 geotextile, FW300 geotextile, FW403 geotextile, LM 2199 geotextile or LM 2404 geotextile polypropylene yarn fabrics, in any combination. Data sheets for these exemplary materials are attached as  FIGS. 8-16 . While these materials are set forth herein as comprising the permeable filter fabric of the invention, it is within the scope of the claimed invention that any fabric may comprise the invention, and any permeable filter fabric may comprise the invention. Thus the scope of the invention is not limited to only those fabrics specifically set forth in  FIGS. 8-16 . Also, the curb inlet filter of the invention may comprise any one or more different permeable filter fabric materials in any combination; it is therefore not necessary that the entire curb inlet filter be comprised of a single type of permeable filter fabric material. 
         [0038]    As used herein, V-shaped or U-shaped is utilized to refer to the cross sectional shape that the filter may take on when upper permeable filter fabric and lower permeable filter fabric are attached at  103 . In the drawings, the curb inlet filter cross sectional shape is shown in an exemplary V-shaped embodiment. However, it is within the scope of the invention as described and claimed herein that the cross sectional shape of the filter may be V-shaped, U-shaped, rectangular or any other cross sectional shape. The scope of the invention is not be construed as limited to a V-shaped filter cross section only. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , an exemplary embodiment of the curb inlet filter of the invention is depicted in a perspective view. The curb inlet filter comprises an upper permeable filter fabric portion  101  attached to a lower permeable filter fabric portion  102  at seam  103 . Upper permeable filter fabric portion  101  and lower permeable filter fabric portion  102  may be attached at seam  103  by any means known in the art such as, for example, stitching, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, chemical bonding or any other means known in the art. Upper permeable fabric filter layer  101  and said lower permeable fabric filter layer  102  may be attached along one edge  103  forming a V-shaped or U-shaped attachment having a first V-shaped or U-shaped side opening and a second V-shaped or U-shaped side opening. The curb filter of the invention may also comprise a first side and second side. The first side and the second side are attached to said upper permeable fabric filter layer and said lower permeable fabric filter layer such that said the V-section of said first side is received by said first V-shaped or U-shaped side opening, and said the V-section of said second side is received by said second V-shaped or U-shaped side opening. The attachment of the upper permeable fabric filter layer  101 , the lower permeable fabric filter layer  102 , the first side and the second side together enclose a V-shaped or U-shaped volume having an open end which may be any shape but which may be rectangular. 
         [0040]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the curb inlet filter opening allows the ingress of storm water in the direction of arrow A into the open end of the curb inlet filter, allowing water to flow through the filter fabric and also through openings  104  while retaining unwanted sediment debris and other material in the lower portion of the curb inlet filter  003  as depicted in  FIG. 7 . The curb inlet filter may further comprise an upper retaining rod pocket disposed along an upper edge of said rectangular opening, and a lower retaining rod pocket disposed along a lower edge of said rectangular opening, wherein said upper retaining rod pocket and said lower retaining rod pocket are each adapted to receive a retaining rod; thus the upper retaining rod pocket may contain retaining rod  150  and lower retaining rod pocket may also contain a retaining rod  151 . Retaining rod or rods  150  and  151  may be fabricated from any material that is stiff enough to allow the ingress of Storm water into the curb inlet filter in the direction of arrow a without significant deflection of the retaining rod. Thus, for example and not by way of limitation, retaining rod or rods  150  and  151  may be fabricated from rebar steel or any other rod material available for example on a construction site. Upper permeable filter fabric  101  may further comprise one or more openings  104  to allow for flow of water there through. Openings  104  may be disposed toward the upper side of upper permeable filter fabric  101  as depicted, or may be disposed at any other location in the filter fabric. However, it is desirable that openings  104  disposed toward the upper area so as to allow the curb inlet filter to retain particulates and sediment matter in the lower portion of the curb inlet filter without such matter flowing through openings  104 . This is depicted most clearly in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0041]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , one or more gussets  107  may be disposed between upper permeable filter fabric  101  and lower permeable filter fabric  102  is depicted in the figures. The one or more gussets act as a wedge for anchoring the curb inlet filter  100  of the invention securely in place in a curb inlet opening. One or more gussets  107  also enable the device to remain in a condition to accept water flow and debris to be filtered within the curb inlet filter  100 , and they also function as a velocity reducing baffle to diminish parallel water flow into and through the curb inlet filter  100 , increasing the available time for sediment and debris to settle and to be captured in the lower volume of the filter  003  as is depicted in  FIG. 7 . One or more gussets  107  are adapted to be received by the opening of a curb inlet in a compression fit wherein said at least one gusset may be held in compression by inner surfaces  200  and  201  of the curb inlet, thereby retaining the curb inlet filter  100  of the invention in the opening of a curb inlet by means of a compression fit. One or more gussets  107  also operate to keep the inlet of the curb inlet filter of the invention  100  in an open position by holding upper permeable filter fabric  101  and lower permeable filter fabric  102  apart as depicted in the drawings. 
         [0042]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , retaining rods  150  and  151  may extend beyond the opening of the curb inlet filter of the invention  100  and may operate to prevent the curb inlet filter  100  from being sucked into the curb inlet by making physical contact with a front surface of the curb inlet as depicted in  FIG. 3 . It can be seen from  FIG. 3  that retaining rods  100  and  151  may come into physical contact with a front surface of the curb inlet, preventing the curb inlet filter  100  from being sucked into the curb inlet when storm water or other fluids rush into and through the curb inlet filter. 
         [0043]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , at least one, but preferably a plurality, of fasteners  108  operate to hold gussets  107  in place against upper permeable filter fabric  101  and lower permeable filter fabric  102 . Fasteners  108  may be any fasteners known in the art for attaching fabrics, including permeable filter fabrics, together. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross section view of the curb inlet filter  100  of the invention is depicted inserted into a curb inlet, and also depicted is storm water containing sediment, debris, or other unwanted matter  002  entering curb inlet filter  100  in the direction of arrow A. As the storm water enters the curb inlet filter from the direction of arrow A it impacts the lower inner surface of upper permeable filter fabric layer  101  and is directed downward in the direction of arrows B towards the collection area  003  of curb inlet filter  100  formed by the attachment of upper permeable filter fabric  101  and lower permeable filter fabric  102  at joint  103 , causing the collection of unwanted sediment, debris and other matter  003  in the collection area of curb inlet filter  100 . Filtered storm water continues to pass through curb inlet filter  100  by passing through permeable filter fabric  101  as depicted by arrow D and also by passing through opening  104  as depicted by arrow C. The filtered storm water exiting the curb inlet filter and passing through the curb inlet into, for example, a storm water drainage system does so in the direction of arrow E and is free from unwanted sediment, debris, particulates or other matter. In this manner, the curb inlet filter  100  of the invention filters unwanted matter from storm water and retains it in the V section of the filter where it may be removed at a later time, while allowing the filtered storm water to pass through the curb inlet and into the storm water drainage system. Gussets  107  operate to retain the curb inlet filter  100  between an upper portion of the curb inlet  004  and a lower portion of the curb inlet  005  by means of a compression fit between gusset  107  and surfaces  200  and  201 . The curb inlet filter  100  is further assisted in being retained in the curb inlet opening by operation of retaining rods  150  and  151 , which may be disposed within retaining rod loops attached to the permeable filter fabric of invention. Specifically, retaining rod loop  105  may be attached to upper permeable filter fabric  101  and may contain retaining rod  150  disposed within it, and likewise retaining rod loop  106  may be attached to the lower permeable filter fabric  102  and may contain retaining rod  151 . In this manner, retaining rods  150  and  151 , along with gussets  107  and a compressive fit between surfaces  200  and  201 , operate to retain curb inlet filter  100  and the opening of a curb inlet, and to also keep the inlet of the curb inlet filter in an open position by operation of gussets  107 . 
         [0045]    In an alternate embodiment the invention may further comprise additional filter media for the purpose of filtering specific unwanted materials such as hydrocarbons or some sediments. Such additional filter media may comprise absorbent or adsorbent pads or logs, flocculents, hydrophobic or oil-phylic materials, activated carbon, and/or polymers and may be disposed within the partially enclosed volume of curb inlet filter  100  by any means known in the art. For example, such additional filter media may be disposed in pouches sewn onto an interior surface of the curb inlet filter permeable filter fabric. Additionally, flocculent pouches may be sewn onto an interior surface of the curb inlet filter permeable filter fabric.