Abstract:
A drainage system includes a storm water chamber and floor liner assembly for storing and conveying liquids. The storm water chamber comprises a generally elongated arch shape with an arch top and bottom side walls, thereby defining an enclosure, the enclosure having a plurality of liquid intake openings. The floor liner comprises two generally parallel sides each having a plurality of retaining members for connecting the storm water chamber. When the storm water chamber and floor liner are connected with each other, the system provides a substantially enclosed assembly for conveying liquids.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a system for conveying or collecting liquids and, more particularly, to liquid conveyance chambers for conveying storm water for collection or dispersal. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various methods, systems and apparatus are known to handle wastewater and/or storm water. Culverts, catch basins, storm sewers and outfalls have been used. Although such systems provide substantial advantages over direct discharge into an existing water body, they preclude other uses of the land. This is particularly important where land values are high such as in urban, residential and industrial areas. In addition, such known approaches have adverse environmental effects, for example, by lowering local water tables when storm water is prohibited from dispensing into the earth. 
         [0003]    Consequently, it is desirable to direct rain or storm water into the earth. This has typically been done by using infiltration trenches filled with large gravel or crushed stone with perforated pipes running therethrough. However, stone filled trench systems are expensive and inefficient since the stone occupies a substantial volume, limiting the ability of the system to handle large surge volumes of water associated with heavy storms. Both the stone and the perforated pipe are also susceptible to clogging by particles or debris carried by water. 
         [0004]    In order to solve such problems and disadvantages, underground drainage chambers have been introduced in the market for handling storm water or sewage system effluent, although not limited thereto. Such chambers typically have an arch-shaped cross-section and are relatively long with open bottoms for dispersing water to the ground. These chambers may be laid on a gravel bed side-by-side in parallel rows to create large drainage systems. End portions of the chambers may be connected to a catch basin, typically through a pipe network, in order to efficiently distribute high velocity storm water. 
         [0005]    Storm water chambers have been used for gathering and dispensing liquids such as, for example, storm water and waste water into the ground. Such storm water chambers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,241, entitled STORM WATER CHAMBER FOR GANGING TOGETHER MULTIPLE CHAMBERS, assigned to Cultec, Inc., which this application incorporates by reference in its entirety. 
         [0006]    When large drainage systems are built away from the collection point, it can be difficult to convey the liquid to the drainage system for proper dispersal. As an example, a large shopping development may have a parking lot that collects storm water and a large drainage system built some distance away. Therefore, the liquid collected from the parking lot must be conveyed to the drainage system. Conveying that storm water to the drainage system for proper liquid dispersal can require a sophisticated and expensive system of piping. Pipes may also clog easily as refuse, leaves and other objects are carried by the water into the pipes. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a superior system for liquid storage and conveyance through the use of a storm water chamber with floor liner and method of use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The needs set forth herein as well as further and other needs and advantages are addressed by the present embodiments, which illustrate solutions and advantages described below. 
         [0009]    The system according to the present teachings includes, but is not limited to, a storm water chamber having a first end, a second end, and two side walls running the length between the first end and second end, with each side wall having a bottom portion. The storm water chamber has a generally elongated arch shape between the side walls with an arch top, thereby defining an enclosure. The storm water chamber also has a chamber connector member on the second end for connecting a further storm water chamber, a plurality of liquid intake openings, and a plurality of circumferential reinforcing members disposed along the generally elongated arch shape for reinforcing structural strength thereof. A floor liner has two ends and two sides defining an area therebetween, with a plurality of raised portions within the area between the two sides. The floor liner also has a plurality of retaining members on each side for connecting the bottom portions of the two side walls of the storm water chamber, and a floor liner connector member on one end for connecting a further floor liner. A substantially enclosed assembly is created when the liquid dispersing chamber is connected with the floor liner and liquid directed into the assembly may be stored or conveyed in a predetermined direction. 
         [0010]    Other embodiments of the system are described in detail below and are also part of the present teachings. 
         [0011]    For a better understanding of the present embodiments, together with other and further aspects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a storm water chamber according to the present teachings; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a large drainage system incorporating storm water chambers according to the present teachings; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a floor liner according to the present teachings; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cutout perspective view of one embodiment of a storm water chamber and floor liner according to the present teachings; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective end view depicting the connection of a liquid dispending chamber and a floor liner in one embodiment according to the present teachings; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a method of using the floor liner according to the present teachings. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The present teachings are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the present embodiments are shown. The following description is presented for illustrative purposes only and the present teachings should not be limited to these embodiments. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a perspective view of one embodiment of a storm water chamber  100  according to the present teachings. Storm water chambers  100  may be used to help collect wastewater, storm water, or some other liquids for storage or dispersal. The storm water chamber  100  may have liquid intake openings  102  on its end or top, although not limited thereto. In fact, the liquid intake openings  102  could be designed for placement anywhere on the storm water chambers  100  according to the particular need, and the present teachings are not limited to this particular embodiment. Liquid that enters the liquid intake opening  102  may flow through the storm water chamber  100  along its length and disperse through an open bottom  104  to the earth. Similarly, the storm water chambers  100  may be used to store liquid instead of dispersing it. 
         [0020]    The storm water chamber  100  is shaped to provide desirable characteristics of chamber volume and strength. It may have a generally elongated arch shape with an arch top and bottom side walls, and may have two, one or no end walls. The storm water chamber  100  defines an enclosure which may be fully enclosed or open on one or both ends. A plurality of circumferential reinforcing members are disposed along the generally elongated arch shape for reinforcing structural strength thereof. The reinforcing members may be ribs  106 , although not limited thereto. The storm water chambers  100  are shaped so as to be stackable and nestable, e.g. a plurality of the storm water chambers  100  can be nested together in a stack. 
         [0021]    Additional storm water chambers  100  may be connected on an engaging end  108  to create a long, further extendable series of chambers for dispersing liquid over a larger area, discussed further below. If the storm water chamber  100  has ribs  106 , one or more of the ribs  106  on the engaging end  108  may be smaller in size, or configured in some other way to accept engagement of a further storm water chamber  100 , which may overlap it, for example. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a perspective view of one embodiment of a large drainage system  110  incorporating storm water chambers  100  according to the present teachings. The modular design of the storm water chamber  100  permits the creation of an extendable system that can disperse liquid over a wide area of ground. Each storm water chamber  100  may connect with each other at an engaging end  108  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to extend the system. Liquids entering an intake opening  102  can then travel through the series of chambers and disperse through an open bottom  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). So constructed, the large drainage system  110  may be covered with earth so as not to occupy valuable ground surface area. Ribs  106  (shown in detail in  FIG. 1 ) may help strengthen the storm water chambers  100  to support any additional weight. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a perspective view of one embodiment of a floor liner  120  according to the present teachings. The floor liner  120  may be manufactured with a heavy duty material similar to that used to manufacture the storm water chamber  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, although not limited thereto, it may be manufactured from polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any number of types of plastics or metals. The floor liner  120  preferably has a shape which corresponds with the open bottom  104  of the storm water chamber  100 . As shown, the floor liner  120  is in a generally rectangular shape. 
         [0024]    The floor liner  120  may have a generally flat bottom in order to make it more stable. This provides many benefits over the use of pipe systems when the floor liner  120  and storm water chamber  100  are connected to convey or store liquids, discussed further below. Pipes, in particular, are unstable and prone to shifting and breaking when the ground around them erodes. The floor liner  120  may be constructed with a plurality of raised portions  122 . Raised portions  122  may help direct liquid flow, trap sediment and increase the strength of the floor liner  120 , although not limited thereto. The floor liner  120  may further be constructed with retaining members  124  or clips (e.g., snaps, straps, screw holes, clamps, etc.) for securing the storm water chamber  100 , discussed further below. 
         [0025]    The floor liner  120  may also have a connector  126  member on its end or ends in order to connect additional floor liners  120  in a series. In one embodiment, the connector  126  member may be a portion of the floor liner  120  that overlaps a corresponding portion in a further floor liner  120 . In this way, the overlap may hold the two floor liners  120  together. The connector  126  member may comprise hooks that interact with corresponding holes (as shown), straps, buckles, screws, tabs, or any other means for holding two floor liners  120  together, and the present teachings are not limited to this particular embodiment. This may be helpful when constructing a large drainage system  110  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) or creating a series of floor liner  120  and storm water chamber  100  assemblies in order to convey liquid to a large drainage system  110 . Connecting multiple storm water chambers  100  and floor liners  120  in series allow liquid to be conveyed or stored (e.g., liquid not permitted to disperse through the chamber&#39;s bottom) over a large area. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , shown is a cutout perspective view of one embodiment of a storm water chamber  100  and floor liner  120  according to the present teachings. The storm water chamber  100  and floor liner  120  cooperate with each other in order to create a solitary assembly for storing or conveying liquid. Since both the floor liner  120  and storm water chamber  100  can be extended by connecting further floor liner  120  and storm water chamber  100  assemblies, the solitary structure provides the ability to store liquids over a long distance or mimic the benefits of traditional piping by conveying liquids over a long distance. However, the system described herein may be manufactured, shipped and installed less expensively and without the need for professional installers as with traditional pipe systems. In particular, extruded plastic pipe in the sizes typically used for storm water control systems is a large diameter tube which occupies a substantial volume when it is transported. It will often take multiple truck load deliveries to deliver the required amount of pipe to a worksite. In contrast, the present invention allows a more economical and fuel efficient worksite installation because the storm water chambers  100  are nestable with each other so that the required number of chambers can be stacked on a delivery truck bed and delivered in a single truckload. Optionally, the floor liners  120  are also nestable and stackable for efficient worksite delivery in the same way, however, this is an optional aspect of the invention since the relatively flat floor liners  120  will not occupy delivery truck volume to the same degree as the storm water chambers  100 . 
         [0027]    Storm water chambers  100  and floor liners  120  may be constructed in any number of different sizes, shapes and thicknesses for a particular purpose. For example, although not limited thereto, the structure may be buried around the perimeter of a building, such as a residence. Since the dispensing chamber  100  may have liquid intake openings  102  on its top, rain gutters from the building may drain directly into the system, which may then convey the rain water to a drainage area built a distance away from the building. For this purpose, the dispensing chamber  100  and floor liner  120  assembly may only need to be between 12 and 36 inches in width. However, if designed for a large big box store or other large commercial or industrial application, the dispensing chamber  100  and floor liner  120  assembly may be between two and six feet in width. It is appreciated that the assembly could be designed in any size for a particular purpose and it is not limited to these particular embodiments. 
         [0028]    Generally, it may be preferable to position the storm water chambers  100  and floor liners  120  over bed of gravel at a slight grade so that the liquid will flow in a predetermined direction. The use of the system described herein helps to prevent erosion resulting from high volume low velocity flows. And since storm water chambers  100  may have liquid intake openings  102  on its top, no expensive pipe Ts are needed. Instead, a pipe, gutter, etc., may drain directly into the system&#39;s liquid intake openings  102 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , shown is a perspective end view depicting the connection of a liquid dispending chamber  100  and a floor liner  120  in one embodiment according to the present teachings. The floor liner  120  may have retaining members  124  (e.g., clips, etc.) which interact with a corresponding bottom portion  140  or lip of the liquid dispending chamber  100  in order to secure the two pieces to each other. It is appreciated that any number of different methods could be used to secure the liquid dispending chamber  100  with the floor liner  120  including snaps, straps, clamps, screws, a flange, etc., and the present teaching are not limited to this particular embodiment. It is desirable that the means for securing the liquid dispending chamber  100  with the floor liner  120  holds them adjacent to one another so that liquid travelling through the unified assembly does not easily escape. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , shown is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a method of using the floor liner according to the present teachings. The following steps may be performed to use the system disclosed herein, although not limited thereto: connect the liquid dispersing chamber and the floor liner with each other; position the storm water chamber and the floor liner assembly in proximity with the ground; and direct liquid into the storm water chamber and floor liner assembly for storage and/or conveyance. Further storm water chambers and floor liners may be connected with the assembly in order to create a series of assemblies. The series may be connected to a liquid drainage system for conveying liquid thereto. 
         [0031]    While the present teachings have been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that they are not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to those skilled in the art to which this pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is intended that the scope of the present teachings should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.