Abstract:
A storm drain system is provided. The storm drain system incorporates a vertical grate and embodies a method of adapting the vertical grate for allowing sufficient water flow through a vertical opening portion of a storm drain while filtering out debris that would otherwise flow through the vertical opening portion, polluting waterways the storm drain fed into. The vertical grate providing a plurality of intersecting members across the vertical portion for filtering the debris, and helping prevent backed up drains which could render the storm drain ineffective during heavy rains.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/218,964, filed 15 Sep. 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to storm drains and, more particularly, to a storm drain system embodying a vertical grate for preventing trash and debris that accumulates in city streets from ever going down the storm drain and eventually going into and polluting our waterways, tributaries and oceans. 
         [0003]    The storm drains that populate urban streets typically form an L-shaped opening, with at least a horizontal portion extending along the street and a vertical portion extending from the street up the sidewall and/or curb. Currently, storm drain systems provide a horizontal grate but not a vertical grate, leaving the vertical portion unprotected. As a result, nothing prevents trash and large debris from entering the storm drains through the gaping vertical portion, ultimately resulting in pollution of the waterways the storm drain feeds into. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for a storm drain system incorporating a vertical grate adapted for allowing sufficient water flow while filtering out large debris that pollutes our waterways and threatens the existence of the animals living in and around such waterways. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, a system for filtering debris from a vertical portion of a storm drain includes a storm drain providing the vertical opening portion along a vertical support surface and a horizontal opening portion; and a vertical grate secured in front of or within the vertical opening portion so that the vertical grate surface is oriented transverse relative to the horizontal opening portion 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, the storm drain system includes the storm drain providing the vertical opening portion along a vertical support surface and a horizontal opening portion; a supporting beam disposed between the vertical and horizontal opening portions; a vertical grate secured in front of or within the vertical opening portion so that the vertical grate surface is oriented transverse relative to the horizontal opening portion, wherein the vertical grate is supported in part by the supporting beam; and the vertical grate providing a peripheral frame supporting a plurality of intersecting first and second members; at least one of bag catch extending from either one of the plurality of first or second members to a portion of the peripheral frame nearest the bottom opening portion; and at least one mounting plate extending from the peripheral frame so as to abut the vertical supporting surface. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of improving a pre-existing storm drain having a vertical opening portion along a vertical support surface and a horizontal opening portion, wherein a horizontal grate covers the horizontal opening portion includes the steps of providing a vertical grate dimensioned to snugly slide into the vertical opening portion; and mounting said vertical grate within the vertical opening portion so that the vertical grate surface is oriented transverse relative to the horizontal grate. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0020]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a storm drain system incorporating a vertical grate and embodying a method of adapting the vertical grate for allowing sufficient water flow through a vertical opening portion of a storm drain while filtering out debris that would otherwise flow through the vertical opening portion, polluting waterways the storm drain fed into. The vertical grate providing a plurality of intersecting members across the vertical portion for filtering the debris. Further, the vertical grate is able to help prevent clogged storm drains, which is important during heavy rains and can help prevent flooding. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 10 , the present invention may include a storm drain system  100 . The storm drain system  100  may include a vertical grate  10 ,  30  and embody a method of decreasing the flow of debris  26  through storm drains. 
         [0022]    Storm drains may currently form an L-shaped opening having a horizontal portion extending along a horizontal supporting surface  24  and a vertical portion transversely extending from or near the horizontal portion along an adjacent vertical supporting surface  22 . Typically, the horizontal supporting surface  24  is a road, while the vertical supporting surface  22  is a portion of a sidewalk, such as a curb thereof. Currently, storm drains provide a horizontal grate  20  over the horizontal portion of the L-shaped opening but not a vertical grate, leaving the vertical portion unprotected. 
         [0023]    The storm drain system  100  may provide the vertical grate  10 ,  30  having a frame  11  supporting a plurality of spaced apart first members  12 ,  32  intersecting spaced apart second members  13 . The vertical grate  10 ,  30  may be made of any material of suitable strength and corrosion and rust resistance, such as galvanized steel. The frame  11  can be substantially rectangular, square, rounded or other geometric shape, while the plurality of first and second members  12 ,  13  may be configured in any array and/or number, so long as the vertical grate  10 ,  30  functions in accordance with the present invention as described herein. The spaced apart, intersecting first and second members  12 ,  13  define a plurality of flow spaces  16  dimensioned to provide a sufficient flow of fluid, such as rain water. For example, the plurality of flow spaces  16  can be dimensioned to meet local regulatory requirements for rain water flow/volume through a storm drain, while still providing the intersecting first and second members  12 ,  13  across the vertical portion of the storm drain opening. Moreover, one flow space  16  may differ in shape and dimensions from other flow spaces  16 , as the spacing of adjacent first and second members  12 ,  13  may vary even within the same frame  11 . 
         [0024]    The frame  11  may provide at least one mounting bracket  14 ,  34  extending therefrom for attaching to the vertical supporting surface  22 . Each mounting bracket  14 ,  34  may provide at least one fastener hole, each fastener hole adapted to operably received a support fastener  18  for connecting the frame  11  to the vertical supporting surface  22 . The support fastener  18  may be expansion bolts/anchors and the like, as the supporting surfaces tend to be concrete, rock and the like. 
         [0025]    Typically, in pre-existing storm drains, there is a supporting beam  28  between the horizontal portion and the vertical portion of the opening, where a portion of the pre-existing horizontal grate  20  connects to, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As a result, the supporting beam  28  defines a part of the vertical opening of the storm drain. 
         [0026]    In certain embodiments, a first member  32  nearest the bottom of the frame  11  may provide at least one bag catch  36  extending to the bottom of the frame. By the term “bottom”, it is understood to be an edge of the frame  11  nearest the horizontal supporting surface/portion, for example nearest the supporting beam in certain embodiments, as in fluid flows to the lowest (bottom) level under the force of gravity. When bag catches  36  are provided, typically the first member  32  providing them may be oriented generally parallel with the bottom of the frame  11 , while each bag catch  36  is generally transversely joined thereto, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 . It be understood that “joining” may include welding and other joining methods. 
         [0027]    In certain embodiments, a vertical grate  10  may include the following: galvanized 1½″ structural ribbing (1½″ × 3/16″) with 1¼ spacing; 4″ galvanized mounting brackets with ½″ ×4″ recessed expansion bolts secured by epoxy; overall dimensions approximately 6″ ×6″, varies according to size of storm drain; and welded ribs, flush mounted, recessed bolts galvanized, ½″ ×4″ expansion bolts epoxied, ¾″ clearance minimal from horizontal supporting surface  24  to allow for water flow. It being understood that dimensions are not intended to be limited to those described above; rather, the dimensions are exemplary of possible embodiments of the present invention, as exact measurements and configurations will depend on size and location of the storm drain to be improved. The same concept would apply to large storm water culvert drains through, in certain embodiments, rounded vertical grates  10 , for example. 
         [0028]    A method of using the present invention may include the following. The storm drain system  100  disclosed herein may be provided. A user may dimension the vertical grate  10 ,  30  so that when secured it substantially covers the vertical opening portion and is oriented transverse to the horizontal grate. In certain embodiments, the vertical grate  10 ,  30  may be secured to the vertical supporting surface  22  by flush mounting each mounting bracket  14 ,  34  thereto so that the vertical grate  10 ,  30  slides into at least a portion of the vertical portion. In some embodiments, the vertical grate  10 ,  30  may be supported by the supporting beam  28 . It should be understood that the vertical grate  10 ,  30  may be attached other ways as long as it covers the vertical opening so that the intersecting first and second members  12 ,  13  are generally disposed within or in front of said vertical portion. 
         [0029]    The flush mounting may include drilling holes in the vertical supporting surface  22  so that support fastener  18  may be used through the respective fastener holes of each mounting bracket  14 ,  34 . 
         [0030]    Once installed, debris  26  is prohibited from entering the vertical portion of the storm drain, because the vertical grate  10  acts as a sieve, allowing water to flow freely, while filtering said debris  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0031]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.