Abstract:
A drain basin has a basin with walls and a cavity therein. The basin can have one or more sleeves coupled thereto. The sleeves are in communication with the cavity. The sleeves form pipe couplings to the basin. Each sleeve has a free end and a fixed end. The fixed end is coupled to the basin. The sleeve has an inside diameter that decreases toward the fixed end, which inside diameter is structured and arranged to receive the outside diameter of a small pipe. The sleeve also has an outside diameter that increases toward the fixed end, which outside diameter is structured and arranged to receive the inside diameter of a larger pipe. In addition, catches are provided to couple a corrugated pipe to the sleeve. The catches comprise fingers that flex or projections on ribs. Thus, the drain basin allows several diameters of several different pipes to be coupled to the drain basin.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to drain basins equipped with couplings for drain pipes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Good water drainage in a landscape may be as important as proper irrigation. Too much water in landscaped areas can result in numerous plant diseases, and can even kill sensitive plants. Overly wet turf areas are prone to soil compaction and scarring from foot prints and mowing equipment. 
     Drainage around building foundations is important to prevent leaks and moisture intrusion into building foundations, basements, and walls. Controlling water around a foundation can prevent or reduce foundation movement and the buildup of mold and fungus inside the building. Thus, controlling run off water preserves the value of the building and its landscape. 
     To control run off, surface drainage systems are used to collect excess surface water from flower beds, turf areas, and other similar low lying areas where run off water tends to collect. Water enters a surface drainage system through catch basins, which are set in the ground to collect water. A drainage grate covers the opening of a catch basin to prevent debris from entering and to provide a surface to support pedestrian or vehicle traffic in the yard or garden. 
     Catch basins connect to underground pipes that move the water downhill and away from the drained areas, where it may be released from an outlet in a location appropriate for the excess water. Several types of drainage pipe may be used in landscape drainage systems, including smooth wall pipes made from plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and corrugated plastic pipes made from high density polyethylene (HDPE). In addition to the different types or shapes, the drainage pipes are also available in different diameters. 
     Because there may be different kinds of pipes and different sizes of pipes used in a drainage system, landscaping contractors and their suppliers usually need to stock several different types of catch basins in order to connect to the different types of pipes. In any business, when the number of parts in inventory increases, the cost of stocking increases. Time and money may be wasted when contractors at the job site realize that the catch basins they have on site will not connect to the type or size of drain pipe at the site, making it necessary to run to the supplier to pick up a catch basin that fits the pipe. 
     Additionally, catch basins may be configured with more than one drain pipe connector or coupling, which provides more than one water inlet or outlet. If a landscape designer wants to connect to a first type or diameter of pipe to a first coupling, and a second type or diameter of pipe to a second coupling, the landscape supplier and contractor may have to stock yet another custom catch basin with the desired combination of inlet and outlet couplings. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved coupling for drain pipes that can couple to different types and sizes of drain pipe, thereby eliminating the requirement of stocking a large variety of catch basins, and providing landscape designers and landscape contractors with options for connecting several sizes and types of pipe to the same coupling, and options in specifying the type of pipe connected to a particular catch basin. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a drain basin that comprises a basin having basin walls and a cavity therein. A sleeve is coupled to one of the basin walls and is in communication with the cavity. The sleeve has a free end and a fixed end, with the fixed end coupled to the basin. The sleeve has an inside diameter that decreases toward the fixed end, the sleeve inside diameter is structured and arranged to receive the outside diameter of a small pipe. The sleeve has an outside diameter that increases toward the fixed end. The sleeve outside diameter is structured and arranged to receive the inside diameter of a larger pipe. A finger protrudes radially from the sleeve. The finger is flexible so as to move radially in and out. The finger is structured and arranged to couple a corrugated pipe to the sleeve. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the basin has a top end that receives a grate. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the finger protrudes radially in. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the sleeve comprises inner projections spaced circumferentially, which inner projections form the inside diameter that decreases toward the fixed end. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the sleeve comprises outer projections spaced circumferentially, which outer projections form the outside diameter that increases toward the fixed end. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the sleeve comprises a second outside diameter that increases toward the fixed end. The outer projections extend radially from the second outside diameter. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the sleeve comprises projections space circumferentially. Each of the projections comprising first and second steps, with the second step projecting radially further than the first step. The projection second step forming one of the inside diameter that decreases toward the fixed end or the outside diameter that increases toward the fixed end. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the projections form ribs, with the ribs having a catch for corrugated pipe. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the finger is a first finger that protrudes radially in. A second finger protrudes radially out. 
     The present invention also provides a drain basin, which basin has basin walls and a cavity therein. A sleeve is coupled to one of the basin walls and is in communication with the cavity. The sleeve has a free end and a fixed end. Ribs are spaced circumferentially spaced about the sleeve. The ribs change a diameter of the sleeve from the free end to the fixed end. The ribs comprising projections for catching corrugated pipe. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the ribs are on an outside of the sleeve. The ribs form an outside diameter that increases toward the fixed end. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the sleeve comprises a second outside diameter that increases toward the fixed end. The ribs extending radially from the second outside diameter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers designate like parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the drain basin and a drain pipe coupling of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an front elevation view of the drain basin of  FIG. 1  showing the pipe coupling. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the drain basin and pipe coupling of  FIG. 2  taken along line 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the drain basin and pipe coupling of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a drain basin in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a detail cross-sectional view of the pipe coupling of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the pipe coupling of  FIG. 2  taken along line VII-VII. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the drain basin and pipe coupling of  FIG. 2  with a small diameter smooth-walled pipe coupled to the inside of the pipe coupling. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the drain basin and pipe coupling of  FIG. 2  with a large diameter smooth-walled pipe coupled on the outside of the pipe coupling. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the drain basin and pipe coupling of  FIG. 2  with a small diameter corrugated pipe coupled to the inside of the pipe coupling. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the drain basin and pipe coupling of  FIG. 2  with a large diameter corrugated pipe coupled on the outside of the pipe coupling. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a drain basin and pipe coupling in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular with reference to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted catch basin, or drain basin,  20  having drain pipe coupling  22 , which is configured and adapted to connect to different types and sizes of drain pipe in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, catch basin  20  includes a drain grate opening  24 , which opens into basin cavity  26  defined by basin walls  28 . The basin walls are the side wall or walls and the bottom wall. Any shape could be adopted for basin cavity  26  and basin walls  28 , but in a typical configuration, basin cavity  26  is cylindrical, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or cuboid. Basin walls  28  in  FIG. 1  are cylindrical on the sides and circular at the bottom of catch basin  20 . The basin could also be rectangular, wherein the basin walls would be the side walls and the bottom wall. The basin could be bowl shaped wherein the basin walls would be the merger of side and bottom walls, or in essence a single wall. 
     Catch basin  20  may have a drain grate rim  30  around drain grate opening  24  for receiving and holding a drain grate (not shown) to cover opening  24 . The innermost portion of drain grate rim  30  may include a ledge  32  that provides support for the drain grate in the drain grate opening  24 . 
     In order for water to move into or out of catch basin  20 , a drain pipe is coupled to drain pipe coupling  22 . Drain pipe coupling  22  includes features that are adapted to receive and mechanically couple to different types of drain pipe, and different sizes of each type of drain pipe. For example, drain pipe coupling  22  is designed to receive at least two sizes or diameters of two types of drain pipe, which types include a smooth wall pipe and a corrugated pipe. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , drain pipe coupling, or sleeve,  22  is generally tubular or cylindrically shaped, as illustrated by tubular body  40 , having opening  42  that extends through the body  40 . Tubular body  40  is concentric with and extends along coupling axis  44 , which is an imaginary reference line through the center of tubular body  40 . Tubular body  40  comprises tube wall  46 , which has an inside surface  48  and an outside surface  50 . 
     As directional reference, tubular body  40  may be said to have a pipe receiving end, or free end,  52  and a fixture end, or fixed end,  54 . Pipe receiving end  52  receives a drainage pipe for mechanical coupling, while fixture end  54  is securely fixed in place relative to another structure, such as catch basin  20 . In the embodiments shown in the figures, fixture end  54  is integrated with, and is a constituent part of, catch basin  20 . Alternatively, the pipe coupling  22  could removably be attached to the drain basin  20 . 
     To provide a secure mechanical coupling with a corrugated drain pipe, drain pipe coupling  22  includes a plurality of cantilevered fingers, or tabs,  60  that catch and engage a ridge in the corrugated wall of the drain pipe. Cantilevered fingers  60  are formed by openings  62  in tube wall  46 . Openings  62  are typically U-shaped and pass completely through tube wall  46  from inside surface  48  to outside surface  50 . Thus, the shape of cantilevered fingers  62  is related to and determined by the shape of openings  62 . In a preferred embodiment, cantilevered fingers  60  and openings  62  are completely surrounded by tube wall  46 , wherein cantilevered fingers  60  and openings  62  do not extend all the way to, nor are they open to, pipe receiving end  52 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, cantilevered fingers  60  are rectangular, although they could be other shapes. Cantilevered fingers  62  are attached to tube wall  46  at connected end  64 , and free end  66  is surrounded by opening  62 . In a preferred embodiment, free end  66  is nearer fixture end  54  and is opposite connected end  64 , which is nearer pipe receiving end  52 . Alternatively, the free end  66  could be nearer the pipe receiving end  52  than is connected end  64 . Free end  66  of cantilevered finger  60  is free to move radially inward and outward with respect to coupling axis  44  as the material of tube wall  46  will allow bending or deforming of finger  60 . The fingers  60  are integral with the tube wall  46 . The force required to bend cantilevered finger  60  depends upon the material of tube wall  46 , the thickness of the joint between the finger  60  and the tube wall  46  at the connected end  64 , the width of finger  60 , and the length of finger  60  between connected end  64  and free end  66 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , each cantilevered finger  60  includes an inward protrusion  68 , which is proximate or near free end  66  of finger  60  and extends radially inward toward coupling axis  44  beyond the inside surface  48  of tube wall  46 . Thus, inward protrusion  68  extends into opening  42 , or the cavity defined by tubular body  40 . The purpose of inward protrusion  68  is to engage a ridge on the outside surface of a corrugated wall small diameter drain pipe, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , there is depicted a cross-sectional view of drain pipe coupling  22  (taken along line III-III in  FIG. 2 ), which is coupled to small diameter corrugated pipe  104 . As illustrated, pipe  104  is inserted into opening  42  wherein inward protrusion  68  on cantilevered fingers  60  protrude into grooves  106 , and engage adjacent ridges  108  in order to maintain pipe  104  within drain pipe coupling  22 . An example of small diameter corrugated drain pipe  104  is a  3  inch pipe that is conventional and commercially available. 
     To accommodate a connection to a larger diameter corrugated wall drain pipe, drain pipe coupling  22  preferably includes outer ribs  80  (See  FIG. 1 ), which are circumferentially spaced apart around outside surface  50  of tubular body  40  (See  FIG. 2 ). Outer ribs  80  extend radially outward beyond outside surface  50  of tube wall  46 . 
     Engaging and securing a corrugated wall drain pipe, outer ribs  80  include nubs  82  (see  FIGS. 7 and 11 ) that extend into a groove and engage an adjacent ridge of the inside surface of a large diameter corrugated pipe. As shown in  FIG. 11 , a larger diameter corrugated wall drain pipe  110  has been installed over tubular body  40 , wherein nubs  82  of outer ribs  80  protrude into grooves  112  and engage ridge  114  in order to secure pipe  110  to catch basin  20 . As pipe  110  slides over tubular body  40 , the end opening of pipe  110  moves past ridge ends  84  and slides on outer ribs  80  until encountering nubs  82 . With continuing force applied on pipe  110 , an inside ridge  114  will expand or deform and snap over nubs  82 . After ridge  114  snaps past nubs  82 , pipe  110  is engaged and coupled to coupling  22 . The snapping action provides the user with positive tactile feedback indicating that a secure connection has been made. 
     In order to make it easier to install large diameter corrugated pipe  110 , ribs  80  are sloped downward toward coupling axis  44  as the rib extends from nub  82  toward ridge end  84 , which ridge end  84  is nearer pipe receiving end  52 . Ridge end  84  is radiused so that it will not inadvertently catch on inside ridges  114  of corrugated pipe  110  as the corrugated pipe is sliding along outside surface  50  of coupling  22 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, outer ribs  80  have a width, as indicated at reference numeral  86  in  FIG. 2 . Nub  82  preferably extends above the top of rib  80  by some distance, as indicated at reference numeral  88  in  FIG. 7 . The length  78  of nub  82  measured parallel to coupling axis  44  is smaller than the distance between ridges  114  of large corrugated pipe  110 . In a preferred embodiment, there are four outer ribs  80  circumferentially spaced about the coupling  22 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , outer ribs  80  extend from ridge ends  84 , which are co-planar in a plane perpendicular to coupling axis  44 . Nubs  82  are also co-planar in another plane perpendicular to axis  44 , nearer fixture end  54 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, ridge ends  84  are spaced back away from receiving end  52  in order to provide an area on tubular body  40  for receiving and coupling to a large diameter smooth wall pipe, which pipe will cover and contact portions of outside surface  50  in the region between ridge end  84  and pipe receiving end  52 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Tubular body  40  has a slight draft, or taper, wherein the diameter of tube body  40  is smaller at pipe receiving end  52  than at fixture end  54 . This draft is preferably 1°, which ensures an interference fit with larger diameter smooth wall pipe  102  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , inside tubular body  40 , inner ribs  90  are provided on inside surface  48  of tube wall  46  to form a tight interference fit, or friction fit, between a smaller diameter smooth wall pipe and drain pipe coupling  22 . Inner ribs  90  are longitudinally oriented with respect to coupling axis  44  (See  FIG. 3 ), and are angularly spaced apart with respect to coupling axis  44  on inside surface  48  (See  FIG. 2 ). Inner ribs  90  extend radially inward toward coupling axis  44  beyond inside surface  48  of tube wall  46 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, inner ribs  90  have portions or segments having different heights. For example, inner ribs  90  have a lower raised portion  92  and a higher raised portion  94  (See  FIG. 6 ). These lower and higher portions of inner ribs  90  are designed and adapted to accept and couple to the outside surfaces of smooth walled pipe having two different diameters, as discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 8 . Both lower raised portion  92  and higher raised portion  94  have rounded ends so that the end of a drain pipe does not catch as a pipe is being inserted into drain pipe coupling  22 . 
     Inner ribs  90  are preferably spaced back from pipe receiving end  52  toward fixture end  54  so that a smooth wall pipe may be inserted some distance into opening  42  before engaging inner ribs  90 . This allows the user to align a drain pipe more closely with coupling axis  44  before engaging inner ribs  90  in an interference fit. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is depicted a portion of a cross sectional view of catch basin  20  with a small diameter smooth wall drain pipe  100  inserted into drain pipe coupling  22 . Pipe  100  is of a smaller diameter than is pipe  102 , shown in  FIG. 9 . An example of small diameter smooth wall pipe  103  is 3 inch pipe which is conventional and commercially available. The outside surface of pipe  100  contacts and engages in a friction fit with higher raised portions  94  of inner ribs  90 . Lower raised portions  92  of inner ribs  90  are adapted and configured to similarly receive and provide an interference fit with a slightly larger diameter smooth wall pipe (not shown), which is also conventional and commercially available. 
     When pipe  100  is installed inside opening  42 , cantilevered fingers  60  may be bent radially outward from coupling axis  44  as the outside walls of pipe  100  contact inward protrusion  68 . The leading edge of inward protrusion  68 , which is closer to pipe receiving end  52 , may be sloped at an angle so that pipe  102  will push inward protrusions  68  radially outward and slide past inward protrusions  68 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is depicted a portion of a cross-sectional view of catch basin  20  coupled to large diameter smooth wall pipe  102 . Pipe  102  is installed over the outside of tubular body  40  wherein the inside walls of pipe  102  contact and engage in an interference fit with outside surface  50  of tube wall  46 . The interference fit occurs prior to pipe  102  contacting ridge ends  84  (See  FIG. 7 ). The slight taper in outside diameter of the tubular body  40  aids in establishing an interference fit as the large diameter pipe  102  is pushed further on the tubular body  40 . 
     To install the drain or catch basin, a hole is dug in the ground. Trenches are made for the pipe. The catch basin is inserted into its hole, with the tubular body oriented toward the pipe trench. Pipe is placed in the trench and connected to the catch basin. Corrugated pipe is used in some installations, while smooth wall pipe is used in other installations. The diameter of the pipe is typically selected for its water carrying capacity; larger pipes can carry more water than smaller diameter pipes. To connect the pipe, the end of the pipe is pushed into (for small diameter pipes) or onto (for larger diameter pipes) the tubular body to either catch or engage the projections  68 ,  82  or to form an interference fit with the inner or outer ribs  80 ,  90 . Because the pipes are drain pipes and the ground surrounding the pipe is already likely to be wet, there is no need for a seal between the pipe and the catch basin. A grate is installed into the top of the catch basin. 
       FIG. 12  shows an alternative embodiment of a drain pipe coupling in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, catch basin  20  includes drain pipe coupling  120 , which includes cantilevered fingers  122  that have outward protrusions  124  as well as inward protrusions  126 . Outward protrusions  124  are configured and adapted to engage ridges inside a large diameter corrugated pipe  110  (see  FIG. 11 ), and inward protrusions  126  are configured and adapted to engage outside ridges on a small diameter of corrugated pipe  104  (see  FIG. 8 ). Thus, in the alternative embodiment illustrated, cantilevered fingers  122  have both inward and outward protrusions for engaging ridges of large and small diameter corrugated pipe, respectively. 
     Catch basin  20  and drain pipe coupling  22  of the present invention are made, in the preferred embodiment, from plastic that has been molded by an injection molding process. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the catch basin  20  can have more than one drain pipe coupling  22 . In  FIG. 5 , there are shown two drain pipe couplings, diametrically opposed tone another ( 180  degrees apart). The pipe couplings  22  can be at any angle about the circumference of the catch basin, such as 90 degrees apart. Also, the two pipe couplings in  FIG. 5  are coaxially aligned. However, one pipe coupling can be lower (or further from the grate rim  30 ) than the other pipe coupling. By using the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , drain pipes of two different diameters, or two types of drain pipe, may be connected to one another. 
     In addition to a coupling that connects one pipe to another, the drain pipe coupling  22  of the present invention may be used as part of a separate coupling adaptor that can be inserted in, and connected to, a larger, typically circular opening in a generic catch basin. Such a coupling adapter may be inserted into the opening and turned in order to securely engage the opening in the wall of the catch basin. 
     Persons skilled in the art should appreciate that the drain pipe coupling of the present invention provides a versatile coupling for connecting drain pipe of different diameters and different types, including smooth wall drain pipe and corrugated drain pipe. The versatile coupling of the present invention allows landscape contractors and their suppliers to reduce the number of parts stocked in inventory while still having parts that connect to different types of pipe in different diameters. Where multiple couplings are used on the same catch basin or pipe coupling, the present invention can perform an adapter function by connecting to two different types of pipe, or two different diameters of pipe, which provides versatility in designing new drainage systems, or versatility in coupling to an existing drainage system. 
     Smooth wall pipe is secured to the pipe coupling by interference fits. The diameter of the pipe coupling changes from the free end to the fixed end. In one embodiment, the diameter change is accomplished with projections or ribs (see  FIG. 8 ). In another embodiment, the diameter change is accomplished by tapering the pipe coupling wall thickness (see  FIG. 9 ). Corrugated pipe is secured to the pipe coupling by catches. The catches can be fixed, such as in  FIG. 11 , or flexible, such as is in  FIG. 10 . 
     The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.