WATER INLET PROTECTION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a water inlet protection system. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a water filtration system for use with a water inlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the world continues to grow and expand, construction and the harvesting of natural resources has increased exponentially. These activities impact the environment. Specifically, some of the Earth's greatest landscapes are threatened by increased road construction, oil and gas exploration, and mining Soil erosion, run-off, and chemicals leaching into the soil or ground water supplies are just a few of the many things that can negatively impact the environment. Because impervious surfaces (parking lots, roads, buildings, compacted soil) do not allow rain to infiltrate into the ground, more runoff is generated than in the undeveloped condition. This additional runoff can erode watercourses (streams and rivers) as well as cause flooding after the storm water collection system is overwhelmed by the additional flow. Because the water is flushed out of the watershed during the storm event, little infiltrates the soil, replenishes groundwater, or supplies stream base flow in dry weather. The negative effect of these events can be greatly increased when improper or outdated erosion and sediment control systems are put into place.

Current erosion and sediment control systems include the use of silt fencing, sand bags, and storm drain covers. Silt fences are often perimeter controls, typically used in combination with sediment basins and sediment traps, as well as erosion controls, which are designed to retain sediment in place where soil is being disturbed by construction processes. A typical fence consists of a piece of synthetic filter fabric (also called a geotextile) stretched between a series of wooden or metal fence stakes along a horizontal contour level. The stakes are installed on the downhill side of the fence, and the bottom edge of the fabric can be trenched into the soil and backfilled on the uphill side, although it is quite difficult to move the trenched “soil” from the downside to the upside of the trench. The design/placement of the silt fence should create a pooling of runoff, which then allows sedimentation to occur. Water can seep through the silt fence fabric, but the fabric often becomes “blocked off” with fine soil particles. Sediment is captured by silt fences primarily through ponding of water and settling, rather than filtration by the fabric. Sand and silt tends to clog the fabric, and then the sediments settle in the temporary pond. Silt fence fabrics (geotextiles) tested in laboratory settings have shown to be effective at trapping sediment particles. Although there have been few field tests of silt fences installed at construction sites, these tests have shown generally poor results. Other studies and articles about silt fence usage and practice document problems with installation and maintenance, implying poor performance.

Other forms of sediment control and erosion prevention include the use of sandbag barriers, fiber rolls, and storm drain inlet protection. Sandbag barriers may prevent or divert the flow of contaminated water away from a water source or storm drain, but they fail to provide a filter for removing contaminants from the water and allowing clean water to pass through. Fiber rolls are generally a temporary erosion control and sediment control device used on construction sites to protect water quality in nearby streams, rivers, lakes and seas from sediment erosion. Typically they will be made of straw, coconut fiber or similar material formed into a tubular roll. While these fiber rolls do provide a basic form of filtration, they generally provide only minimal filtration and are not reusable. Some of the disadvantages of fiber rolls are that they may be difficult to move once they become saturated with water, they should not be used on very steep land, and if the rolls are not properly staked into the ground, they may be carried away by high flows. Storm drain inlet protections typically only include a steel grate with large openings. While they prevent large items from entering a storm drain or inlet, they fail to prevent soil sediment and other contaminants from entering the drain. A sand barrier or fiber roll may be placed around a storm drain inlet to provide additional protection, but these items typically provide either extremely slow flow rates or else minimal filtration.

Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an apparatus and system that allows for improved filtration and removal of sediment and other pollutants from water, as well as providing an increased flow rate through the filtration system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to improve on and/or overcome the deficiencies in the art.

It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide an apparatus and system that includes a frame with a plurality of tabs extending from the periphery of the frame.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide an apparatus and/or system for use with a storm drain or water inlet that is configured to remove sediment and other contaminants from water.

It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide an apparatus with an adjustable frame and plurality of tabs extending from the frame, wherein the frame may be adjustably configured to fit multiple storm drain and inlet sizes.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a system including a frame with a plurality of tabs extending from the periphery of the frame, wherein the tabs are configured to removably secure the frame via a friction fit to a grate of a storm drain.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a drain inlet protection system including a frame, a plurality of tabs extending from the frame, and a filtration material removably secured to the frame. Wherein the filtration material is configured to be water permeable and to filter out sediment from the water.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a drain inlet protection system including a frame with one or more corner members that are slidably interconnected to one another, said frame adjustable to fit multiple storm drain opening and/or grate sizes.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a drain inlet protection system including a filtration material removably secured to a storm drain opening by one or more magnets that are attached to the filter material.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a drain inlet protection system including one or more s-clip members configured to secure a filtration material within an open throat drain inlet, said one or more s-clip members securing the material within the opening via a pressed or friction fit.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a drain inlet protection system.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a drain inlet protection system utilizing a filtration material with a water flow rate of approximately 190 gpm/ft².

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention to provide a drain inlet protection system utilizing a filtration material with a water flow rate between approximately 190 gpm/ft²and approximately 240 gpm/ft²and a filtering efficiency of approximately 90%.

These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Appendix A is an example of a marketing piece that includes additional information on one embodiment according to at least some aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 2A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the drain inlet protection system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the drain inlet protection system of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the inlet protection system frame of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the inlet protection system frame of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is a side view of the inlet protection system frame of FIG. 3D.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the drain inlet protection system of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the inlet protection system of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system including overflow protection.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system including overflow protection.

FIG. 6C is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system including overflow protection.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 8A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the drain inlet protection system of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a drain inlet protection system of FIG. 1 including a drain inlet back-stop.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the drain inlet back-stop of FIG. 9A in combination with the alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protection system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a drain inlet protection system.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a drain inlet protection system with an extended corner piece.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the extended corner piece interchangeable with other corner pieces, such as those shown in FIG. 10.

Various embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings and appendices, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. Figures represented herein are not limitations to the various embodiments according to the invention and are presented for exemplary illustration of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is directed towards an apparatus and system for filtering water at a storm drain or water inlet. A water inlet protection system may be used to prevent unwanted sediment and other contaminants from entering a storm drain, water inlet, or the like. For example, a water inlet protection system may be inserted in a storm drain to filter water that enters the drain, the system removing unwanted sediment and contaminants. Generally a water inlet protection system may include a filter or filtering material. For example, the water protection system shown in Appendix A includes a filter material that is configured to trap sediment contained in water that passes through the storm drain grate and allow the filtered water to pass through into the drain.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example embodiment for an above grate water inlet protection system 30 is shown. The system 30 may be configured to fit any size, shape or configuration of above ground storm drain or water inlet. For example, the system may be configured to fit a square drain, a round drain, or a vertically oriented drain on the side of a curb. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a lower portion 33 or flap that may be tucked under the grate, wherein the grate creates a friction fit to help hold the system 30 in place. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 may also be used in connection with the above grate systems shown in FIGS. 6A-7B (described in more detail below and shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A) and/or with the below grate systems shown in FIGS. 2A-3E (described in more detail below). The filter material 34 for the above grate system may be the same or similar to Grey Material, which will be described in more detail below. The system 30 may be removably attached to the water inlet by one or more magnets 32. The system may also include a neoprene or similar rubber-type material attached to the perimeter of the filtration material 34. The neoprene may be configured to create a seal around the perimeter of the water inlet to prevent water from entering the inlet without first passing through the material 34 to be filtered.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-4B, example embodiments of a water inlet protection system that includes a frame 10 is shown. The frame 10 may be constructed of one or more corner members 12 and 14 that may be securely fastened to one another in a solid configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the frame 10 of the system may be configured to sit on the underside of the grate 44, wherein the frame 10 is pinched between the grate and the drain opening. However, it should also be understood that it is contemplated that the frame may be configured to sit and/or be attached to the top of the grate 44. The solid frame 10 configuration may be in the shape of a circle (as shown in FIG. 4A-4B), square (as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B and 3D), rectangle (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C), or any other polygonal shape. While not shown in the figures, the corners may also be inverted or rounded to fit a specific drain opening or grate size. It is also contemplated that the corner members 12 and 14 may be adjustably connected. For example, opposing corners 12 and 14 may be slidably connected using a pin 18 and a track or slot 16. The corners 12 and 14 may also be slidably connected by a solid member (not shown), wherein each of the corner section 12 and 14 includes a pin 18 that is configured to slidably attach to tracks at opposing ends of the solid member. The pins 18 in the corner sections may be configured to slide within the track or slot of the solid member connecting the corner members. In one example embodiment, the adjustable frame 10 may configured to adjust the length and width of a square or rectangular shaped storm drain or water inlet. The frame 10 may include slidably adjustable members 12 and 14 that allow the length and width of the frame to be adjusted to correspond to the size of the drain. Furthermore, the frame 10 is configured for attachment of a filter or filter material 34. As shown in the picture included in FIGS. 2A-4B, the filter material 34 may be attached by wrapping it around a portion of the corner members 12 and 14. The filter material 34 may be secured by sewing the seam 46, attaching Velcro® along the seam 46, hooks, pins, or other similar means of securing the material 34 in place. An example filter material 34 is a High Flow Grey Material that includes the following approximate properties:

Properties
ASTM TEST
Value

Mass per Unit Area (oz/yd2)
D 3776
5.2

Grab Tensile Strength, MD × CD (lbs)
D 4632
297 × 223

Grab Elongation, MD × CD (%)
D 4632
58/59

Trapezoid Tear, MD × CD (lbs)
D 4533
81 × 75

Puncture (lbs)
D 4833
99

Burst Strength (psi)
D 3786
340

Permittivity (sec−1)
D 4491
2.60

A.O.S. (U.S. sieve - (mm)
D 4751
60

Water Flow Rate (gpm/ft2)
D 4491
192

Filtering Efficiency (%)
D 5141
91.6

While the High Flow Grey is given as an example above, any suitable filter or filtering material 34 may be used. An example of an advantage provided by the referenced material, is that the material is reusable. The High Flow Grey Material may be removed from the storm drain, the sediment captured in the material may be removed from the material and disposed in a proper manner, and the material may be reinstalled in the drain. The material 34 may be rinsed and reused multiple times without compromising the filtering properties or flow properties. Also shown in the image included in FIGS. 2B, 3B, and 4B, it can be seen that at the corners of the frame 10, there may be openings or cut-outs 42 in the filter material 34. These openings 42 are intended to provide overflow protection in the event the filter material 34 becomes plugged or clogged to the point water is unable to pass through the material 34. If this occurs, the water may still be able to pass through the openings 42 in the corners to prevent water from backing up or flooding over into other areas because the drain is blocked. The frame 10 and/or material 34 may also include a loop or handle 38 for lifting and/or removing the system 10 from a storm drain/water inlet.

Referring to FIG. 3D, a top view of the adjustable frame 10 is shown. While FIGS. 2A-2B and 3D depict the frame 10 in a generally square configuration, it should be understood that other sizes and shapes are considered. For example, the frame 10 may be adjusted to be in the shape of a rectangle (FIGS. 3A-3C), or additional slidably adjustable sides may be added to create a pentagon, hexagon, or similar shapes that may be utilized to fit a round shaped storm drain or sewer opening. Each side of the frame includes a top member 14 and an opposing bottom member 12. The top and bottom members 14 and 12 are slidably connected by one or more pins 18 or similar means of slideable or telescoping attachment or connection. For example, the top member 14 may include a fixed pin 18 extending downward through a slot or track 16 cut in the bottom member 12. Conversely, the bottom member 12 may include a fixed pin 18 extending upward through a slot or track 16 in the top member 14. The pins 18 and tracks or slots 16 are configured to allow the top and bottom members 14 and 12 to slide relative to one another, shortening or lengthening that side of the frame 10. All sides of the frame 10 may be configured in a similar manner to allow the length of each side to be adjustable. It is also contemplated that the corners may be attached by a connection member that allows for slideable adjustment of the size and length of the frame 10. The connection may be attached to the top or bottom of both opposing corner members 12 and 14, or the connection member may connect to the top of one member 12 and the bottom of the opposing member 14, or vice versa. The connection may be flat or may include one or more bends to achieve the required fit and/or adjustment. It is also contemplated that the adjustable frame may incorporate a telescoping mechanism to provide adjustment of the frame.

Referring to FIG. 3E, a side view of one side of the frame is shown. It can be seen how the top and bottom members 14 and 12 may be oriented relative to one another. Also shown are how the pins 18 extend from the top member 14 down through the bottom member 12 and vice versa. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2A-4B, located in the corners of the frame 10 are tabs 20 that extend vertically from the frame. These tabs 20 are configured to hold the frame 10 in place when positioned in a storm drain or water inlet. For example, the frame 10 may be placed in a storm drain with a filter material 34 attached. The frame 10 may be extended to fit the size of the drain. Once the frame 10 has been extended to fit the drain, the grate 44 may be placed on top of the frame 10. The tabs may be configured to be outside the outer edge of the frame of the storm grate, therefore preventing the adjustable frame 10 from being pulled inward when a weight or force is applied to the filter material 34 by fluid or material trying to pass through the drain. The tabs 20 may create a friction fit with the grate to hold the system 10 in place. While the frame has been described as adjustable, it is contemplated that a solid frame may also utilize the tabs 20 for positioning, orienting, or holding in place the frame relative to a storm drain grate or sewer cover.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, an example embodiment of a water inlet protection system 30 for use with an open throat inlet along a curb 50, or similar. This embodiment includes an s-shaped clip member 35 that may be sewn into the filtering material 34. The s-cups 35 may be located at the ends or edges 37 of the inlet system 30, but additional s-clips may be located along the width of the system to provide additional support if needed. The s-clips 35 generally may be constructed of a flexible material, such as a metal alloy or plastic polymer. The clips 35 should provide necessary strength and flexibility properties to be wedged into the open throat inlet opening along a curb 50 to create a pressed or friction fit with the inlet opening of the curb 50, as shown in the side view of FIG. 5B. This embodiment of the protection system 30 may include a neoprene strip 36 along the horizontally oriented edges to provide a seal to the curb or drain surface when the neoprene is wet. S-clips 35 may be attached to the filtration material 34 by sliding the clips 35 in between seams in the fabric or other similar means of removable attachment may be utilized. The edges of the material 34 may be configured to butt up end to end to attach additional open throat protection systems 30 together if a wider system is needed for a particular drain or inlet. The Velcro™ may also be configured for attaching a solid member that may be configured to directing the flow of the water through the filter material.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, three example embodiments of an above grate system are shown. Common components that may be included in all three embodiments include a handle or pull strap 38, magnets 32, and a neoprene strip 36. The handle or pull strap 38 may be used for lifting or removing the system 30 from a storm drain or water inlet. The magnets 32 may be sewn into or similarly attached to the filter material 34 and configured/positioned to magnetically/removably attach the system 30 to a steel grate 44 or inlet of a storm drain or similar water inlet. For example, in the square shaped embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the magnets 32 may be located at the corners so as to magnetically attach the system 30 to the corner of square grate 44 of a storm drain. Generally the magnets 32 may be positioned anywhere within the confines of the protection system, but typically will be located proximate to the corners or edges so as to create a seal at the outer edge so that storm water may not enter the drain without first passing through the filter material 34. The magnets 32 also serve to hold the system 30 in place, such that it does not blow away or get swept away by flowing water. The magnets 32 may also be placed on top of the fabric. Similarly, a neoprene strip(s) 36 may be included or sewn into the outer edge of the material 34 of the system 30 and configured to create a seal at the outer edge to prevent water from entering the drain 44 without first passing through the filter material 34. The neoprene 36 may be configured, such that when wet, it will increase in weight and create a seal with the grate 44 of the drain or the structure surrounding the drain.

FIG. 6A shows an example embodiment of the system 30 for use with a vertical water inlet on the side of a curb may also include a solid core, such as a polyethylene member, that is designed to give the system 30 structure and rigidity along the back edge along vertical inlet portion of the curb 50. The solid core may also serve to prevent the flow of water through the vertical portion of the inlet, which typically may not include any type of grate or screening, while directing the water to pass through the filter material 34 located on top of the horizontal portion of the drain/grate 44.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-8B, examples of the square and circular embodiments of the above grate protection system 30 are shown. In FIGS. 6B and 7B, the square system 30 is shown, include one or more handles 38, magnets 32, neoprene strips 36, and the filter material 34. Similarly, FIGS. 6C and 8A-8B show examples of round embodiments including one or more handles 38, magnets 32, neoprene strips 36, and the filter material 34. FIGS. 6A-6C show example embodiments of the system 30 including an overflow protection member 40 surrounding a cut-out portion 42 of the filtering material 34. The overflow protection member 40 may be included in any or all embodiments of the water inlet protection system 30. The overflow protection barrier shown in FIG. 6A-6C. may include an elevated ring or square member 40 with a hole in the center 42 that allows water to pass directly through to the drain 44. The overflow protection member 40 is intended to provide overflow protection in the event the filter material 34 becomes plugged or clogged to the point water is unable to pass through the material 34. If this occurs, the water may still be able to pass through the openings 42 in the center to prevent water from backing up or flooding over into other areas because the material 34 over the drain 44 is blocked.

As shown in FIG. 6A-6C, the overflow protection barrier may be elevated above the filter material 34 to facilitate or encourage water to pass through the filter material 34 as opposed to entering the drain 44 through the hole 42 in the center of the overflow barrier 40. The height of the overflow barrier 40 may be configured based on the specific needs at a particular drain site. For example, if a standing water level exceeding three inches (3″) would be damaging or hazardous to the surrounding area, the protection member 40 may be configured to have a height of two inches to prevent standing water from ever reaching a height of three inches (3″). However, if it is more important that all water entering a particular drain pass through the filter material 34, the height of the protection member 40 may be increased.

FIGS. 7A-8B show alternative embodiments of a drain inlet protection system that may be attached to the top of the grate of a storm drain or similar water inlet. The embodiments shown in FIG. 7A-8B do not include the water over flow barrier or cut-out.

Referring to FIG. 9A, an alternative embodiment of the system 30 represented in FIG. 1 is shown. FIG. 9A shows an inlet protection system including a back-stop 31 that is not permeable. The system 30 shown in FIG. 9A may be configured to have a non-permeable backstop to direct the flow of water elsewhere, and prevent water from entering an opening on the vertical portion of a curb 50. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9A may be utilized in combination with the other inlet protection systems 10 and/or 30 described above. For example, the system 30 of claim 9A may be used in connection with the below-grate inlet protection system 10 shown in FIGS. 2-3, wherein the lower portion of 33 of system 10 may be inserted underneath the grate 44 that the below-grate frame 12 and 14 of the inlet protection system 30 is attached to. In this example, the back-stop 31 will prevent water from flowing in the vertical inlet/opening on the curb 50, and will re-direct the water to flow down the grate 44, wherein the water will be filtered through the filter material 34 attached to the frame 12 and 14. The back-stop 31 may also be used in connection with the above-grate systems shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, as depicted in FIGS. 6A and 7A.

Referring to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of system 10 represented in FIGS. 2A-4B is shown. The drain inlet protection system of FIG. 10 includes adjustable frame 1000 defining interior cavity 1010. Adjustable frame 1010 includes rigid base members, including rigid base members 1006 and 1008. As shown in FIG. 10, adjustable frame 1010 may also include rigid base members directly opposite rigid base members 1006 and 1008, forming a rectangular frame. In other instances, a different number of rigid base members may be present in adjustable frame 1000 to form alternate shapes, such as pentagons, hexagons, or octagons, among other shapes. Adjustable frame 1000 may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, another metal or alloy, or any other material durable and rigid enough to suitably receive water and filter sediments from that water.

In the example of FIG. 10, adjustable frame 1000 includes slidable corner members 1002A, 1002B, 1002C, and 1002D (collectively, “slidable corner members 1002”). In some instances, each of slidable corner members 1002 includes a cutout on an exterior corner portion of the respective slidable corner member such that adjustable frame 1000 may fit better when in use, such as on top of a grate that extends into a sidewalk or curb. In the example of FIG. 10, each of slidable corner members 1002 includes slots 1012. In other examples, only one or more of slidable corner members 1002 may include slots 1012, with one or more other slidable corner members being fixed to the rigid base members (e.g., slidable corner member 1002A may be fixed to rigid base member 1006 and rigid base member 1008, while slidable corner members 1002B-1002D may include slots 1012 and slide relative to slidable corner member 1002A).

Adjustable frame 1000 may be sized such that a width of the members 1002, 1006, and 1008 are wide enough to provide stability to adjustable frame with a minimal depth profile. For instance, by having members 1002, 1006, and 1008 be made of a durable material and having a certain width (e.g., greater than a half inch, greater than an inch, greater than two inches, or any other width to provide adequate rigidity to adjustable frame 1000), a depth of the various members 1002, 1006, and 1008 may be reduced (e.g., less than one quarter of an inch, less than one eighth of an inch, less than one sixteenth of an inch, less than one thirty-second of an inch, or any other depth to provide the described benefit) such that the combination of adjustable frame 1000 and a grate, when sitting atop adjustable frame 1000 or beneath adjustable frame 1000, protrudes a minimum amount as compared to a grate by itself, while still maintaining the durability due to the width of members 1002, 1006, and 1008 and the durable material that makes up adjustable frame 1000.

Adjustable frame 1000 further includes multiple nut-and-bolt fasteners 1004. Each nut-and-bolt fastener 1004 includes a nut portion and a bolt portion. The bolt portion of nut-and-bolt fasteners 1004 may extend through one of slots 1012 and a hole in one of the rigid base members. The nut portion of nut-and-bolt fasteners 1004 may receive the bolt on the opposite side of the rigid base member. The nut portion may either be fixed (e.g., soldered) to an underside of the rigid base member (e.g., such that an operator only has to tighten or loosen the bolt portion to adjust or fix adjustable frame 1000) or may be separate from the rigid base member (e.g., such that the operator may operate both the nut and the bolt portion to adjust or fix adjustable frame 1000).

Each of nut-and-bolt fasteners 1004 secures the nut-and-bolt fastener to the respective slidable corner member and the respective rigid base member. When the respective bolt for nut-and-bolt fastener 1004 is loosened, along with any other nut-and-bolt fasteners for slidable corner member 1002A, slidable corner member 1002A becomes slidable along the respective slot 1012 atop the respective rigid base members 1006 and 1008, thereby altering a boundary of interior cavity 1010. Conversely, when the respective bolt for nut-and-bolt fastener 1004 is tightened, along with any other nut-and-bolt fasteners for slidable corner member 1002A, slidable corner member 1002A becomes fixed in place atop the respective rigid base members 1006 and 1008, thereby fixing the boundary of interior cavity 1010.

In other words, the function of nut-and-bolt fasteners is to attach slidable corner members 1002 to the various rigid base members (e.g., 1006 and 1008), while being able to be loosened such that the slidable corner members 1002 may slide with respect to one another to either expand and increase a size of interior cavity 1010 or decrease a size of interior cavity 1010. In practice, adjustable frame 1000 may be placed over top a grate that receives water mixed with various sediments. However, grates are not typically universal in size. By providing an adjustable frame as described in FIG. 10, adjustable frame 1000 may, in some instances, nearly double a size of each dimension of interior cavity, greatly varying the number of different grates that adjustable frame 1000 can attach to (e.g., between −11″×21″ to 22×42″, −12″×12″ to −24″×24″, −12″×24″ to −24″×48″, −24″×24″ to −48″×48″, or any other size dimensions to reasonable cover grates as described herein). In other examples, such as the instance of FIG. 10, the grates may be expandable in an amount less than doubling the dimensions of adjustable frame, such as by increasing the dimensions by up to 25%, 50%, 75% or some other percentage less than 100%. This also enables adjustable frame 1000 to be re-usable across a number of projects with different sized grates, reducing waste produced from these frames.

While it is possible for each slidable corner to move by itself, due to the angles of adjustable frame 1000, slidable corner members may slide in pairs relative to other slidable corner members. As an example, slidable corner member 1002A is slidably attached to each of a first end of rigid base member 1006 and a first end of rigid base member 1008. Meanwhile, slidable corner member 1002D is slidably attached to a second end of rigid base member 1006, and slidable corner member 1002B is slidably attached to a second end of rigid base member 1008. When slidable corner member 1002A slides along the rigid base member 1006, each of slidable corner member 1002A, rigid base member 1008, and slidable corner member 1002B may move together relative to slidable corner member 1002D. Similarly, when slidable corner member 1002A slides along rigid base member 1008, slidable corner member 1002A, rigid base member 1006, and slidable corner member 1002D may move together relative to slidable corner member 1002B.

In some instances, adjustable frame 1000 further includes one or more tabs 1014 extending from one of more of slidable corner members 1002. Each of tabs 1014 may be foldable along a perforated connection between the respective tab 1014 and adjustable frame 1000 at slidable corner members 1002. When folded along the perforated connection, tabs 1014 may secure adjustable frame 1000 in place with respect to a grate. For instance, a grate may be removed from a sewer system, and adjustable frame 1000 may ultimately be placed in the space where the grate would typically sit. Tabs 1014 may be folded upwards either prior to adjusting adjustable frame 1000 or after adjustable frame 1000 is correctly sized. Adjustable frame 1000 may be placed in the space where the grate would sit, and the grate may be replaced to sit atop adjustable frame 1000. Tabs 1014, being folded up, may receive the grate such that the grate is aligned with adjustable frame 1000 to maximize the flow through the grate and interior cavity 1010 of adjustable frame 1000.

In some instances, a water permeable filtration material, as described above or made of any water permeable material including paper, ceramic, polypropylene, acrylic fiber, glass fiber, polyester, spun cellulose, and rayon among other things, may be attached to adjustable frame 1000 and covering interior cavity 1010, either tight across or by forming a hollow or open-topped three-dimensional shape beneath interior cavity 1010. In this way, any water that may flow over adjustable frame 1000 may be able to pass through the water permeable filtration material, such as into a drainage or sewer system, while the water permeable filtration material may collect sediments or other undesirable waste that is mixed in with the water. The water permeable filtration material may be altered to increase strength or filtration efficacy, such as by double-seaming the material, adding a built-in scrim to the material, or including multiple layers of the material. The water permeable filtration material further comprises a cut-out section proximate to at least one of slidable corner members 1002 such that the water permeable filtration material can allow the cut-out corners of slidable corner members 1002 to remain open to create a snug fit against a sidewalk, curb, or other raised surface around the grate. Otherwise, at least a portion of the water permeable filtration material may be wrapped about adjustable frame 1000, enabling the water permeable filtration material to be replaceable.

In some instances, slidable corner members 1002 may be universal across different size frames. For instance, a size of rigid base members 1006 and/or 1008 may change to fit larger or smaller grates, but all sizes of rigid base members (potentially with a same size of nut soldered to an underside of the member) may be configured to fit a same size of slidable corner members 1002, allowing slidable corner members 1002 to be universal and mass produced without taking into account a size of a rigid base member that will be paired with slidable corner members 1002.

Slidable corner members 1002 may additionally have various shapes and sizes for the cut-section. For instance, in the example of FIG. 10, slidable corner members 1002 have corners cut-out in a rounded square shape. In other instances, the corner members of the drain inlet protection system described herein may over other shapes for the cutouts, including right-angled squares, right angled rectangles, or rounded rectangles, such as in the example of FIGS. 11A and 11B, where a length measurement of the cut-out is greater than a width measurement of the cut-out.

FIG. 11A depicts a portion of a drain inlet protection system with water permeable filtration material 110 hooked to the frame. Nut-and-bolt fasteners 1104 may be loosened and tightened in slots 1112, where loosening nut-and-bolt fasteners 1104 enables slidable corner members 1102 to change relative position in relation to nut-and-bolt fasteners 1104 along slots 1112. Tightening nut-and-bolt fasteners 1104 secures slidable corner members in place to create a rigid structure for placing in drain inlets.

Each nut-and-bolt fastener 1104 includes a nut portion and a bolt portion. The bolt portion of nut-and-bolt fasteners 1104 may extend through one of slots 1112 and a hole in one of the rigid base members. The nut portion of nut-and-bolt fasteners 1104 may receive the bolt on the opposite side of the rigid base member. The nut portion may either be fixed (e.g., soldered) to an underside of the rigid base member (e.g., such that an operator only has to tighten or loosen the bolt portion to adjust or fix the adjustable frame) or may be separate from the rigid base member (e.g., such that the operator may operate both the nut and the bolt portion to adjust or fix the adjustable frame).

Each of nut-and-bolt fasteners 1104 secures the nut-and-bolt fastener to the respective slidable corner member and the respective rigid base member. When the respective bolt for nut-and-bolt fastener 1104 is loosened, along with any other nut-and-bolt fasteners for slidable corner member 1102, slidable corner member 1002 becomes slidable along the respective slot 1112 atop rigid base members, thereby altering a boundary of an interior cavity covered by water permeable filtration material 1110. Conversely, when the respective bolt for nut-and-bolt fastener 1104 is tightened, along with any other nut-and-bolt fasteners for slidable corner member 1102, slidable corner member 1102 becomes fixed in place atop the respective rigid base members, thereby fixing the boundary of the interior cavity.

In other words, the function of nut-and-bolt fasteners is to attach slidable corner members 1102 to various rigid base members, while being able to be loosened such that the slidable corner members 1102 may slide with respect to one another to either expand and increase a size of an interior cavity or decrease a size of the interior cavity. In practice, the adjustable frame may be placed over top a grate that receives water mixed with various sediments, trash, nutrients, debris, metals, and more. Additionally, an adjustable grate may be placed on top of the adjustable frame frame, and sandwiching the adjustable frame between the adjustable grate and the curb grate. However, grates are not typically universal in size. By providing an adjustable frame as described in FIG. 11A, the adjustable frame may, in some instances, nearly double a size of each dimension of interior cavity, greatly varying the number of different grates that adjustable frame 1000 can attach to (e.g., between −11″×21″ to 22×42″, −12″×12″ to −24″×24″, −12″×24″ to −24″×48″, −24″×24″ to −48″×48″, or any other size dimensions to reasonable cover grates as described herein). In other examples, such as the instance of FIG. 11A, the grates may be expandable in an amount less than doubling the dimensions of adjustable frame, such as by increasing the dimensions by up to 25%, 50%, 75% or some other percentage less than 100%. This also enables the adjustable frame to be re-usable across a number of projects with different sized grates, reducing waste produced from these frames.

With slidable corner member 1102, the shape of the cut-out corner of slidable corner member 1102 provides additional functionality. In many drain inlets, the drain inlet extends some distance from the grate cover underneath the curb itself. By utilizing slidable corner member 1102 with the longer cut-out portions, the short edge of the cut-out corner can jut up against the curb, while the long edge of the cut-out corner extends some distance (e.g., upwards of 6 inches or more) underneath the curb itself, thereby increasing the amount of water that flows through water permeable filtration material 1110 and increasing the amount of sediment and other solids captured within the drain inlet protection system.

As described above with respect to FIG. 10, the pieces of the drain inlet protection system in FIG. 11A may be interchangeable such that individual components may be replaced depending on the size of the drain to be filtered (e.g., changing parts to make the entirety of the frame larger or smaller), replacing the water permeable filtration material 1110 (also referred to as a “silt sack”), or any damage done to individual components. Slidable corner member 1102 may come as a standalone piece, as shown in FIG. 11B, that replaces one or more slidable corner members 1002 in FIG. 10.

While not shown in the figures, it should be understood that alternative forms of water filtration and inlet protection systems have been contemplated. For example, the filtering material described above may be utilized to construct a dewatering bag to filter sediment out of water pumped through the bag prior to entering a drain or other water system. The dewatering bag may be made or constructed of a filter material similar to the material described above. Furthermore, the dewatering bag may be configured to be used in conjunction with a hose or pump. In preferred embodiment that dewater bag may be attached to a hose that is connected to the outlet of a pump. For example, the dewatering bag may include an opening or inlet that may be configured for attaching a hose to the dewatering bag. The bag may then be placed near or proximate to a drain or water inlet, and as the pump transfers water to the dewatering bag, the water will pass through the filter material, leaving sediment and other contaminants trapped in the dewatering bag. Furthermore, chemicals and/or other filtering elements may be inserted in the dewatering bag to aid with the removal or reduction of harmful chemicals, such as nitrates, from the water.

The dewatering bags may come in many shapes and sizes. For example, a short and wide shaped configuration may be utilized for a dewatering bag. Alternatively, the dewatering bag may be long and narrow. The size and shape of the dewatering bag may be configured based on the size of the drain or water inlet. The size of the dewatering bag may also be configured based on the size of the pump and/or the amount of fluid pumped. It may also be configured based on pump size and/or the size of the hose utilized to pump water into the dewatering bag. A strap may be utilized to removably secure the dewatering bag to a hose or pump. For example, a strap that includes a D-ring clip for fastening the strap may be used to removably secure the dewatering bag to a pump outlet.

This embodiment of the protection system will generally come in a predetermined length, for example ten feet (10′) lengths. The ends of the protection system may include Velcro™, D-rings and a strap, or similar means of connection that are configured for attaching multiple lengths of the protection system together. A strap may also be used for attaching multiple lengths of the protection system together. The protection system may be configured to include handles that can be used in moving or placing the protection system.

It is also contemplated that the water inlet protection system may include filter material (as described above) attached to a plurality of wood or metal stakes or similar. The stakes may be utilized to orient the filter material in a vertical position. Furthermore, the stake can hold the filter material in place and attach the filter material to the ground and provide a boundary for filtering out sediment from water. The filter material may have a height of approximately 39.5 inches.

Another embodiment of a water inlet protection system may also be configured for use in the concrete or construction industry. For example, the water inlet protection system may be configured to separate the sediment and materials included in concrete from the water. When cleaning tools or rinsing out containers utilized in pouring concrete, any leftover or reaming concrete must be properly disposed of and should not be rinsed down a drain. The water inlet protection system may include a base and frame for attaching a filtering material to. The base and frame may be configured in a square, rectangular or generally round shape, but may be constructed in any shape that includes an opening at the top. The concrete may be rinsed into the filter material and water applied. Chemicals should also be added to aid the removal or reduction of PH levels and/or contaminants. For example, Bio-flucculant and PLO-flocculant—enables filtering of fines. PH Stabilizer may also be added to relegate PH when needed. For use with concrete, an additional geotextile fabric is required to slow the filtration process and allow the chemicals to mix/interact with the concrete and water mixture. The filter material may be configured to remove the concrete material and other sediment, while allowing the water to pass through the material. The water passing through the filter material may then pass safely through the drain or water inlet without introducing the sediment and contaminants included in concrete. Filtering out the water from the concrete also allows the concrete material to dry faster and be properly disposed of once captured by the filter material.

While many embodiments of the filter material 34 to be used with the water inlet protection systems described above are contemplated, two example embodiments of the material are described in greater detail below. One example embodiment of filter material with the following properties and/or characteristics:

An alternative embodiment of the filter material may include a filter material with the following properties and/or characteristics:

Properties
ASTM TEST
Value

Mass per Unit Area (oz/yd2)
ISO 9073-1
3.84

Breaking Strength, MD (lbs/2 in)
ISO 9073-3
102.4

Breaking Strength, CMD (lbs/2 in)
ISO 9073-3
87.9

Elongation to break, MD (%)
ISO 9073-3
32.8

Elongation to break, CMD (%)
ISO 9073-3
34.7

Water Flow Rate (gpm/ft2)
Mfg Testing
240

It is also contemplated that a filtering material 34 may be utilized that includes a flow rate somewhere in between the two materials referenced above.

A water inlet protection system including a filter material capable of removing sediment and other water contaminants, while allowing for an improved flow of water has thus been described. The present invention contemplates numerous variations, options and alternatives, and is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein. For example, any of the alternative embodiments described above may be modified or used in combination with one or more of the other embodiments. Other changes are considered to be part of the present invention.

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	15359907	Nov 2016	US
Child	17837281		US

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	17837281	Jun 2022	US
Child	18541800		US

WATER INLET PROTECTION SYSTEM

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