Information
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Patent Grant
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6601607
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Patent Number
6,601,607
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Date Filed
Thursday, January 3, 200222 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, August 5, 200320 years ago
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Inventors
-
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Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 137 357
- 137 561 A
- 137 862
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A sump pump discharge system having a water escape member interposed between a sump pump exit pipe and a drain pipe, such water escape member being a truncated conical structure having a plurality of upright ribs extending from its base to its top defining a plurality of elongated discharge openings therebetween and, in one embodiment, having a valve disposed above the water escape member to direct water through a hose having a first end and a second end, the second end of which is manually positioned at a desired location for aiding the escape of water from the exit pipe.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The system of this invention resides in the area of sump pump discharge water escape systems and more particularly relates to a system for the discharge of water from a sump pump to the exterior of a building where such discharge system includes a water escape structure for the release of water to the exterior of such building even when the drain pipe has become blocked, such as by ice or snow.
2. History of the Prior Art
Water escape devices for freeze-prone sump pump discharge systems are known in the art. One example of such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,254 to Janesky. In this patent a water escape device is interposed within a portion of the discharge pipe at the exterior of the building above the ground such that if the drain pipe becomes icebound, water will back up and escape through openings in the water escape device and flow out onto the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved sump pump discharge water escape system. Typically a sump pump is interconnected through drain pipes to the exterior of a building where such drain pipes extend down into the ground. In this invention an improved water escape member is interposed between the through-wall exit pipe and the drain pipe which extends into the ground. If water freezes within the drain pipe, the water flow will back up and rather than pass back into the sump and basement of the building which action could cause damage, the water will escape through the discharge openings in the water escape member which openings are arrayed in a 360-degree circumference. In addition, if it is desired for the water to pass to another area for drainage, a valve is provided on the water escape pipe which, when engaged, directs water through a hose member which can be extended to reroute the water flow to another area. There are holes drilled in the stopped check valve to reduce ice buildup. The water escape device is shaped like a truncated cone which extends between the upstream narrower, generally 1½-inch in diameter exit pipe at its top and the wider, generally 4-inch wide drain pipe at its base. The water escape device has a plurality of vertically disposed ribs extending therearound from its base to its top which define elongated discharge openings therebetween to allow the escape of water therefrom in a circular area around the device. This feature is an improvement over Janesky, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,254 as it allows more water to escape in a 360-degree area as opposed to only the 180-degree area of the prior art, thus allowing more water to escape and reducing the chance of freeze-up.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
illustrates a side view of the sump pump drain and the device of this invention through a section of basement and building exterior.
FIG. 2
illustrates the view of
FIG. 1
wherein the hose member has been unrolled to reroute the water flow.
FIG. 3
illustrates a bottom view of the water escape member.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
Seen in
FIG. 1
is sump pump
16
which is connected by vertically disposed pipe
18
to a horizontally extending through-wall pipe
20
which is engaged to a downwardly extending exit pipe
22
which would normally pass directly to a drain pipe
36
in the ground for the water to be drained away. During winter, though, such drain pipes can freeze, causing a backup of water through exit pipe
22
, back through the through-wall pipe
20
, and down vertically disposed pipe
18
into sump pump
16
where it can flood the basement and cause damage. To prevent such occurrence, a water escape member
30
is interposed between exit pipe
22
and drain pipe
36
. Water escape member
30
can be made of PVC plastic in the form of a truncated cone approximately 6 inches in height extending between exit pipe
22
and drain pipe
36
. Top
44
of water escape member
30
, also seen in
FIG. 3
, is approximately 2 inches in diameter to accept exit pipe
22
, and bottom
46
of water escape member
30
is approximately 4 inches in diameter to fit and engage drain pipe
36
. Ribs
32
are generally narrower than openings
34
. Ribs
32
are generally spaced equidistant from one another around top
44
and radiate outwards to be equally distant from one another around bottom
46
. Plurality of ribs
32
of water escape member
30
extend upwards in general vertical alignment with one another and define therebetween a plurality of elongated, vertically upright discharge openings
34
disposed around its circumference. In one embodiment a water discharge and rerouter can be disposed above water escape member
30
which water discharge and rerouter can be used if one wants to reroute the discharge away from drain pipe
36
or away from the building should water be coming out of water escape member
30
or if water escape member
30
itself should become plugged with ice. Ice buildup can also occur from melting ice from gutters which re-freezes, and snow and ice buildup can occur on the ground in front of a roof overhang. Valve
24
can be opened by the rotation of handle
26
which then blocks water from passing into water escape member
30
and directs water through hose connector
27
into hose
28
which is shown in
FIG. 1
in a coiled storage position. When in use, as seen in
FIG. 2
, hose
28
can be uncoiled to extend along ground
40
so that it can discharge water
42
at whatever location the end of hose
28
is positioned in. It has been found that the combination of water escape member
30
and hose discharge system provides a very versatile water escape system for use with sump pump discharges, and such invention is especially useful in freezing weather or when large volumes of water need to be discharged from the basement area by the sump pump.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be substituted therefor without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A sump pump discharge water escape system for the flow of water of the type having an exit pipe passing through the foundation of a structure and extending to a drain pipe within the ground, comprising:a water escape member having a top and a base, said water escape member interposed between said exit pipe and said drain pipe, said water escape member comprising a truncated conical structure having a circumference and having a plurality of upright ribs disposed therearound extending from said base to said top and defining therebetween a plurality of elongated discharge openings for the escape of water therethrough around said entire circumference.
- 2. The sump pump discharge water escape system of claim 1 further including:a hose member having a first and second end, said second end of said hose member adapted to be positionable at a desired location; and a valve interposed between said top of said water escape member and said exit pipe, said valve, when actuated, directing water flow to said first end of said hose member, said valve, when actuated, diverting water flow from said exit pipe away from said drain pipe through said first end of said hose member to said desired location where said second end of said hose member is positioned.
US Referenced Citations (6)