Patent Publication Number: US-2021163189-A1

Title: Sump pump crock

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/942,960 filed Dec. 3, 2019. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates to a sump pump crock. 
     SUMMARY 
     A sump pump crock includes a body including a first portion and a second portion separate from the first portion. The first portion includes one of a tab and an opening, and the second portion includes the other of the tab and the opening. The tab is received in the opening to secure the first portion to the second portion. The body defines a base, a plurality of sidewalls, and a top opening, and a plurality of flanges extend around an outer perimeter of the body. The sump pump crock includes a removeable lid that covers the top opening. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of flanges extend around an external surface of the body and are substantially parallel to the base. 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of flanges comprise three flanges. 
     In an embodiment, each of the plurality of flanges has a thickness of approximately 1 inch. 
     In an embodiment, the body is octagonal in shape. 
     In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of sidewalls includes a plurality of perforations. 
     In another embodiment, the first portion includes a first wall, a second wall connected to the first wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the first wall, a third wall connected to the first wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the first wall, a partial fourth wall connected to the second wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the second wall, and a partial fifth wall connected to the third wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the third wall. The second portion includes a sixth wall parallel to the first wall, a seventh wall connected to the sixth wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the sixth wall, an eighth wall connected to the sixth wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the sixth wall, another partial fourth wall connected to the seventh wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the seventh wall, and another partial fifth wall connected to the eighth wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the eight wall. 
     In another embodiment, one of the partial fourth wall includes one of the tab and the opening and the other of the partial fourth wall includes the other of the tab and the opening that interacts with the one of the tab and the opening to secure the one of the partial fourth wall to the other of the partial fourth wall. 
     In another embodiment, the one of the partial fourth wall includes three tabs and three openings, and the other of the partial fourth wall includes three tabs and three openings. 
     In another embodiment, an inside surface of the first wall and an inside surface of the sixth wall of the body each includes a slot that receives a bridge that extends between the first wall and the sixth wall. 
     In another embodiment, the base comprises a first base part of the first portion and a second base part of the second portion. 
     In another embodiment, the lid comprises a first lid portion and a second lid portion each including a curved hinge that engages a rod, wherein the curved hinge of the first lid portion engages the rod of the second lid portion, and the curved hinge of the second lid portion engages the rod of the first lid portion, allowing one of the first lid portion and the second lid portion to move relative to the other of the first lid portion and the second lid portion. 
     In another embodiment, the lid includes a hole that receives a drain that allows for water to flow in one direction through the drain. 
     A sump pump crock includes a body octagonal in shape including a first portion and a second portion separate from the first portion. The first portion includes one of a tab and an opening and the second portion includes the other of the tab and the opening, and the tab is received in the opening to secure the first portion to the second portion. The body defines a base, a plurality of sidewalls, and a top opening, and a plurality of flanges extend around an outer perimeter of the body, extend around an external surface of the body, and are substantially parallel to the base. At least one of the plurality of sidewalls includes a plurality of perforations. The base includes a first base part of the first portion and a second base part of the second portion. The first base part includes one of a tab and an opening and the second base part includes the other of the tab and the opening that interacts with the one of the tab and the opening of the first base part to secure the first base part to the second base part. The sump pump crock includes a removeable lid that covers the top opening. The lid includes a first lid portion and a second lid portion each including a curved hinge that engages a rod. The curved hinge of the first lid portion engages the rod of the second lid portion, and the curved hinge of the second lid portion engages the rod of the first lid portion, allowing one of the first lid portion and the second lid portion to move relative to the other of the first lid portion and the second lid portion. The lid includes a hole that receives a drain that allows for water to flow in one direction through the drain. 
     In an embodiment, the first portion includes a first wall, a second wall connected to the first wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the first wall, a third wall connected to the first wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the first wall, a partial fourth wall connected to the second wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the second wall, and a partial fifth wall connected to the third wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the third wall. The second portion includes a sixth wall parallel to the first wall, a seventh wall connected to the sixth wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the sixth wall, an eighth wall connected to the sixth wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the sixth wall, another partial fourth wall connected to the seventh wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the seventh wall, and another partial fifth wall connected to the eighth wall at approximately a 45° angle relative to the eight wall. 
     In another embodiment, one of the partial fourth wall includes one of the tab and the opening and the other of the partial fourth wall includes the other of the tab and the opening that interacts with the one of the tab and the opening to secure the one of the partial fourth wall to the other of the partial fourth wall, and wherein the one of the partial fourth wall includes three tabs and three openings, and the other of the partial fourth wall includes three tabs and three openings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a sump pump crock; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the sump pump crock; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the sump pump crock; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a tab and an opening unattached; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates the tab and the opening attached; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of a base of the sump pump crock; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an inside of the sump pump crock including a bridge; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a slot of the sump pump crock that retains the bridge; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a lid of the sump pump crock; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view of the lid of the sump pump crock; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of sections of the lid of the sump pump crock separated; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a bottom view of the sections of the lid of the sump pump crock pivoted relative to each other; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a bottom view of a drain attached to the lid of the sump pump crock. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  illustrate a sump pump crock  10 . The sump pump crock  10  includes a body  12  including a base  14  and side walls  16 . The body  12  includes a first portion  18  and a second portion  20  that are connected together to define the sump pump crock  10  to allow the sump pump crock  10  to be installed in very confined substructure areas, such as crawlspaces. For example, the separate components can be carried to a desired location in the crawlspace. Once at the desired location, the first portion  18  and the second portion  20  are attached to form the body  12  and base  14 . This allows the sump pump crock  10  to be transported in components to locations that are too tight to receive a one piece sump pump crock. 
     The sump pump crock  10  includes an opening  22  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), and a lid  24  covers the opening  22 . In one example, the body  12  includes eight side walls  16  such that a cross-sectional shape of the body  12  is substantially octagonal. As the body  12  is not round, the flat walls of the body  12  help to withstand hydrostatic and other soil pressures. In one example, the body  12  and lid  24  are made of molded plastic. 
     The side walls  16  include at least one flange  26  that provide anti-heaving features that withstand frost and other soil pressures and provide structural integrity. In one example, there are three flanges  26  spaced along a height of the body  12 . The at least one flange  26  extends around the external surface of the body  12  and are substantially parallel to the base  14 . 
     A top flange  26  defines the opening  22 , and a lower surface of the top flange  26  extends approximately 1.75 inch outwardly from an upper portion of the side wall  16 . The middle flange  26  has a thickness of approximately 0.75 inch relative to the height and extends approximately 1.75 inch outwardly from an upper portion of the side wall  16  and approximately 1.5 inch from a middle portion of the side wall  16 . The lower flange has a thickness of approximately 1.0 inch relative to the height and extends approximately 1.5 inch outwardly from the middle portion of the side wall  16  and approximately 1.75 inch outwardly from a lower portion of the side wall  16 . The flanges  26  are roughly spaced equally along the height of the body  12 . 
     The side walls  16  also include a plurality of perforations  28  that are molded into the side walls  16 . The perforations  28  allow for the flow of water into and out of the body  12  and help to hold stone and soil for additional stability. 
     The first portion  18  includes a first wall  30 , a second wall  32  connected to the first wall  30  at approximately a 45° angle relative to the first wall  30 , and a third wall  34  connected to the first wall  30  at approximately a 45° angle relative to the first wall  30 . A partial fourth wall  36  is connected to the second wall  32  at approximately a 45° angle (and approximately perpendicular to the first wall  30 ), and a partial fifth wall  38  is connected to the third wall  34  at approximately a 45° angle (and approximately perpendicular to the first wall  30 ). 
     The second portion  20  includes a sixth wall  40  (parallel to the first wall  30 ), a seventh wall  42  connected to the first wall  30  at approximately a 45° angle relative to the sixth wall  40  (and approximately parallel to the second wall  32 ), and an eighth wall  44  connected to the first wall  30  at approximately a 45° angle relative to the sixth wall  40  (and approximately parallel to the third wall  34 ). A partial fourth wall  46  is connected to the second wall  32  at approximately a 45° angle (and approximately perpendicular to the first wall  30 ), and a partial fifth wall  48  is connected to the third wall  34  at approximately a 45° angle (and approximately perpendicular to the first wall  30 ). 
     The partial fourth wall  36 ,  38  and the partial fifth wall  46 ,  48  of both the first portion  18  and the second portion  20 , respectively, each include a plurality of alternating tabs  50  and openings  52 . Each tab  50  on the partial fourth wall  36  and partial fifth wall  38  of the first portion  18  is received in an opening  22  on the partial fourth wall  46  and partial fifth wall  48 , respectively, of the second portion  20 . Each tab  50  on the partial fourth wall  46  and partial fifth wall  48  of the second portion  20  is received with an opening  52  on partial fourth wall  36  and partial fifth wall  38 , respectively, of the first portion  18 . 
     In one example, there are three tabs  50  and three openings  52  on the partial fourth wall  36  of the first portion  18  that engage with and lock with respect to three tabs  50  and three openings  52  on the partial fourth wall  38  of the second portion  20 . There are also three tabs  50  and three openings  52  on the partial fifth wall  46  of the first portion  18  that engage with and lock with respect to three tabs  50  and three openings  52  on the partial fifth wall  48  of the second portion  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , in one example, each tab  50  includes a wall  120  approximately perpendicular to the body  12  and a raised inclined portion  118  that defines a latch. As shown in  FIG. 4A , each opening  52  is defined by a bracket  112  having a spaced ledge  114  that defines a space  116  in which the tab  50  is received. During insertion, the raised inclined portion  118  of the tab  50  is pressed underneath the bracket  112 , compressing the raised inclined portion  118  of the tab  50 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , once the tab  50  passes under the bracket  112  that defines the opening  52 , the compression on the raised inclined portion  118  of the tab  50  is released. The tab  50  is received in the space  116  defined by the ledge  114 , and the wall  120  of the tab  50  engages a side of the bracket  112 , securing the first portion  18  to the second portion  20 . Each tab  50  and opening  52  pair is attached in this manner. The first portion  18  and the second portion  20  can also be detached from each other by pressing on the tab  50  to allow the tap  50  to slide in the opening  52 . 
     When attached, the partial fourth wall  36  of the first portion  18  and the partial fourth wall  46  of the second portion  20  define a fourth wall  54 , and the partial fifth wall  46  of the first portion  18  and the partial fifth wall  48  of the second portion  20  define the fifth wall  56 . The fourth wall  54  is parallel to the fifth wall  56 . 
     The first portion  18  and the second portion  20  each include a plurality of aligned tubes  58  and  60 , respectively. A threaded fastener  62 , such as a screw, is received in each set of aligned tubes  58  and  60  to secure the first portion  18  and the second portion  20  together. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first portion  18  includes a first base part  64 , and the second portion  20  includes a second base part  66 . The first base part  64  and the second base part  66  each include a plurality of alternating tabs  68  and openings  70 . Each tab  68  on the first base part  64  is received in one of the openings  70  on the second base part  66 , and each tab  68  on the second base part  66  is received in one of the openings  70  on the first base part  64 . The tabs  68  and the openings  70  are attached as described above with respect to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     In one example, each tab  68  includes a wall approximately perpendicular to the base  14  and a raised inclined portion that defines a latch. Each opening  70  is defined by a bracket having a spaced ledge that defines a space in which the tab  68  is received. During insertion, the raised inclined portion of the tab  68  is pressed underneath the bracket, compressing the raised inclined portion of the tab  68 . Once the tab  68  passes under the bracket that defines the opening  70 , the compression on the raised inclined portion of the tab  68  is released. The tab  68  is received in the space defined by the ledge, and the wall of the tab  68  engages a side of the bracket, securing the first base part  64  to the second base part  66  to define the base  14 . Each tab  68  and opening  70  pair is attached in this manner. 
     The first base part  64  and the second base part  66  each include an aligned tube  72 ,  74 , respectively. A threaded fastener  76 , such as a screw, is received in the aligned tubes  72 ,  74  to secure the first base part  64  and the second base part  66  together. The base  14  includes a plurality of flanges  78 . In one example, the flanges  78  are substantially parallel and extend between the first wall  30  and the sixth wall  40 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an inside surface of the first wall  30  and an inside surface of the sixth wall  40  each includes a slot  80  that receives a bridge  82  that extends between the first wall  30  and the sixth wall  40 . The bridge  82  increases the strength of the sump pump crock  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the lid  24  includes a first lid portion  84  and a second lid portion  86 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the first lid portion  84  and the second lid portion  86  each include a curved hinge  88  and a rod  90 . The curved hinge  88  of the first lid portion  84  engages the rod  90  of the second lid portion  86 , and the curved hinge  88  of the second lid portion  86  engages the rod  90  of the first lid portion  84 . This allows the first lid portion  84  and the second lid portion  86  to pivot relative to each other. For example, when the lid  24  is placed over the opening of the body  12 , one of the lid portions  84 ,  86  can be lifted by pivoting one lid portion relative to the other lid portion. In another example, one of the lid portions  84 ,  86  can be removed by pivoting one of the lid portions relative to the other lid portions. 
     The lid  24  includes a groove  92  that runs around a perimeter of the lid  24 . A seal (not shown) is received in the groove  92  to provide sealing of gases. The lid  24  includes a plurality of flanges  94  to provide support. The lid  24  has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the opening  22 . 
     The lid  24  includes a plurality of holes  96 ,  98 ,  100 , and  102 . A first hole  96 , a second hole  98 , and a third hole  100  receive a gasket/seal  102 , and a tube (not shown) of a sump pump system is received in the gasket/seal  102  to provide sealing. A fourth hole  104  receives a drain  106 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the drain  106  includes a flexible body that extends into the body  12  of the sump pump crock  10  and provides a seal that allow water to flow in one direction into the body  12 , but prevents bugs, rocks, etc. from entering the body  12 . A rubber seal  108  with a plurality of slots  110  is received in the hole over the drain, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     It should be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present embodiments, may be made by those skilled in the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of the disclosed embodiments.