1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to traps and filters for insertion under a curb inlet grating for a sanitary, storm or catch basin.
2. Description of the Related Art
When streets are under construction the catch basins for the sewers can fill up with all kinds of debris during rains. Since the construction of the area is not complete there are many objects in the area that can be washed into the newly installed sewer and clog it up, whereas after construction the area is in finished condition, landscaped, fully paved, and construction related debris is removed therefore presenting fewer objects which can be washed into the catch basin and clog up the sewer.
An insert for the curb inlet frame is installed to catch debris and preventing sewers from being clogged during construction projects. The insert can then be removed if no longer needed.
The insert has the same shape and size as the curb inlet frame such that it fits inside and conforms to the road grade and curb cuts as does the curb inlet frame. A grate fits over the insert and holds it in place within the curb inlet frame. The insert has a frame for holding baskets with plurality of holes to let water through and catch debris by preventing the debris from passing through the holes. The insert has an overflow for letting water pass into the sewer, if the holes in the baskets are blocked by debris or the water flow into the insert is higher than the restricted flow out due to the holes in the basket being blocked. The basket can be easily removed from the inset to remove debris caught therein. A filter made out of a cloth can be placed in the baskets to catch smaller debris. The filter can be easily removed by hand and cleaned or replaced by another filter while the insert and or the basket remains in place.
It is an object of the invention to provide a temporary filter box for insertion into a curb box to capture debris preventing it from clogging a storm sewer.
It is an object of the invention to provide a filter insert for the filter box to capture smaller particles and debris from clogging a storm sewer.
It is an object of the invention to match the temporary filter box to the shape of the permanent curb box and grate for efficient operation.
It is an object of the invention to provide a basket for capturing large debris and for easily removing the basket for cleaning it out by hand.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
During street construction and at other times there is an added need for traps and filters to remove debris from the water flow from the street into storm drains. The larger pieces of debris can clog up sewer systems, which then need to be cleaned out. It is preferred to have a trap for catching the larger pieces of debris and optionally a filter for catching smaller objects. Debris can be expected in larger quantities during construction of a road, during some maintenance projects or at other times when more than the normal amount of debris is present in the area which can be washed into storm drains during rains.
When extra debris is present a temporary trap 100, as seen in
The temporary trap 100 has a trap insert frame 10, a center basket 40, and two end baskets 40 having apertures 42 on the front walls 46, rear wall 45, right side walls 47, left side walls 48, and bottoms 49. The apertures 42 allow water to pass though but block larger pieces of debris from passing therethrough.
As shown in
The walls 16 and 17 have a slope along the top sloping downward from the front wall 13 to the back wall 14 to match the slope of the sloped curb inlet frame wall 55. The curb inlet frame 50 has such a sloped wall to match the slope of the street 57 near the curb 56 to channel water off the street 57 into the curb inlet 50. The design as shown in the figures having a lower center basket 40 allows for the center basket 40 to fill first and the end baskets 40 to fill last with the overflow passing through overflow openings 18. In alternative embodiments the slope of the walls 16 and 17 may be different.
The trap insert frame 10 has a curb box blocker 19 for blocking water flows though the curb box 53 so that the water flow can pass though the apertures 42 in the baskets 40. Alternatively the curb box blocker 19 may have aperture 20 at its base to allow for excess water to flow therethrough. In some embodiments there is no curb box 53 so no curb box blocker 19 is required on trap insert frame 10.
The trap insert frame 10 has frame flanges 24, 25, 26 for supporting center basket and end baskets 40. The flange 43 on center basket 40 engages flange 25, the flange 43 on the left basket engages flange 24 on the trap insert frame 10 and flange 26 engages flange 43 on the right end basket 40. Handles 44 on baskets 40 allow the baskets to be quickly and easily removed from the trap insert frame 10 for cleaning out the baskets 40 and then replacing the baskets. To clean out the baskets first the grate 52 is removed and then the baskets 40 can be removed. If silt filters 30 have been installed in the baskets 40 the silt filters 30 can be removed and cleaned.
In the embodiment shown in the figures the center basket 40 is held by flange frame 25, which is lower than flange frames 24 and 26. This positions center basket 40 lower than the left or right baskets 40 and allows water to flow into the center basket 40 and fill it first and then fills the end baskets 40. The center basket 40 has the base lower than the other baskets allowing extra flow out of the apertures 42 at the base on the sides adjacent the left and right baskets for extra drainage from the center basket 40.
In an alternative embodiment the trap insert frame 10 and the baskets 40 have uniformly the same height flanges 24, 25, 26 so the baskets 40 are all at the same height.
A silt filter 30 having a wire frame 31 in the shape of the baskets 40 with a cloth covering 32, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In other embodiments the shapes of the curb inlet frame 50 may vary from rectangular to square or round and may be moved from adjacent to the curb to the middle of the street. The inlet frame 51 and baskets 40 and silt filter 30 will change shape accordingly as shown in
The temporary trap 100 is preferably made out of a plastic material or other material, which is inexpensive and disposable.
Although a wire frame 31 or a suitable connection to the handles on the basket is used to support the cloth filter 32 any kind of a frame or support for the cloth filter 32 can be used to keep the cloth in a shape for use with the trap insert frame 10.
In the embodiments shown a gusset 70 is shown supporting curb box blocker 19 however this is an optional feature.
Although the specification above refers to catch basins, the invention can be used with storm, sanitary and catch basins.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
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