Patent Publication Number: US-2007122234-A1

Title: Attachment plate for dewatering device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to an attachment plate for a dewatering device and an attachment plate assembly comprising the same.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      A dewatering device, such as a skimmer, is typically attached to a catch basin of a sediment or storm water basin via a flexible drain pipe. The dewatering device is often exposed to extreme weather conditions and in some instances is even moveable relative to the catch basin. A problem exists in that conventional methods for attaching the dewatering device to the catch basin do not adequately secure the dewatering device to the catch basin such that when the dewatering device is exposed to extreme weather conditions or moves relative to the catch basin, the dewatering device does not remain securely attached to the catch basin. In addition, if the dewatering device is not securely attached to the catch basin, leaking between the catch basin and the dewatering device can occur, which can detrimentally effect the performance of the dewatering device.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to an attachment plate for a dewatering device comprising a plate member and a tubular member. The plate member has a bottom surface configured for attachment to a catch basin. The tubular member extends from a top surface of the plate member. The tubular member is configured for attachment to the dewatering device.  
      The invention further relates to an attachment plate assembly comprising an attachment plate and a dewatering device. The attachment plate has a plate member and a tubular member. The plate member has a bottom surface configured for attachment to a catch basin. The tubular member extends from a top surface of the plate member and is attached to the dewatering device.  
      The invention still further relates to an attachment plate assembly comprising an attachment plate, a catch basin, and a dewatering device. The attachment plate has a plate member and a tubular member. The plate member has a bottom surface attached to the catch basin. The tubular member extends from a top surface of the plate member. The tubular member is attached to the dewatering device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of an attachment plate for a dewatering device according to the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of the attachment plate attached to the dewatering device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIGS. 1-2  show an attachment plate  1  according to the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the attachment plate  1  includes a plate member  2  and a tubular member  3 . The plate member  2  is made, for example, from a steel plate, galvanized steel plate, a stainless steel plate, a high density polyethylene, or other suitable material having the strength and flexibility to withstand changing weather conditions. The plate member  2  may have a thickness, for example, of about ¼-⅝ inch. In an approximate center of the plate member  2  is a through-hole  5 . The through-hole  5  extends from a top surface  6  to a bottom surface  7  of the plate member  2 . A plurality of attachment member receiving apertures  8  is arranged around an outer perimeter of the plate member  2 . The attachment member receiving apertures  8  are formed to receive attachment members  9 , such as lag bolts, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Although the plate member  2  is illustrated as having a substantially rectangular configuration and the through-hole  5  is illustrated as having a substantially circular configuration, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the plate member  2  and the through-hole  5  may have other geometric configurations beyond those illustrated herein.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tubular member  3  has a diameter  10  and shape corresponding to the through-hole  5 . The tubular member  3  may be made, for example, from a steel pipe, high density polyethylene pipe, or galvanized steel pipe. The tubular member  3  is inserted into the through-hole  5  of the plate member  2  such that the tubular member  3  extends from the top surface  6  of the plate member  2 . The tubular member  3  is attached to the plate member  2  such that a water-tight seal  11  is formed between the plate member  2  and the tubular member  3 . The tubular member  3  may be attached to the plate member  2 , for example, by purge welding or fusing. Although the tubular member  3  is illustrated as having a substantially cylindrical configuration, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tubular member  3  may have other geometric configurations beyond those illustrated herein. Additionally, although the plate member  2  and the tubular member  3  are illustrated and described herein as being separate components of the attachment plate  1 , it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the plate member  2  and the tubular member  3  may be formed in one integral piece.  
       FIG. 3  shows the attachment plate  1  attached to a conventional dewatering device  12 , such as a skimmer or the like. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a flexible drain pipe  15  of the dewatering device  12  is directly attached to the tubular member  3  of the attachment plate  1 . The diameter  10  of the tubular member  3  is sized to match the engineered dewatering time schedule required. The diameter  10  is typically the same size or smaller than a diameter  16  of the drain pipe  15 . The drain pipe  15  may be attached to the tubular member  3 , for example, by a standard flexible rubber plumbing adaptor and hose clamps or a standard plumbing coupler.  
      The bottom surface  7  of the plate member  2  is attached over a side orifice (not shown) of a catch basin or inlet box  13 , such as a type-M inlet box or the like, provided, for example, in a sediment or storm water basin  14 . The plate member  2  is attached to the inlet box  13  by inserting the attachment members  9  through the attachment member receiving apertures  8  in the plate member  2  and securing the attachment members  9  to the inlet box  13 . Alternatively or in addition, a mastic or caulk (not shown) may be applied to the plate member  2  to attach the plate member  2  to the inlet box  13 .  
      The attachment plate  1  according to the invention provides a solid base with a tight fit against the catch basin  13 . The attachment plate  1  is therefore durable under most weather conditions and reduces the chances of leaking at the place of attachment of the dewatering device  12 . Additionally, the materials and assembly process of the attachment plate  1  provides a solid, failure free point of attachment for the dewatering device  12 .  
      The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.