AU2002100292A4 - A stormwater drain - Google Patents

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "A STORMWATER DRAIN" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:

TITLE

A STORMWATER TRAP FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a stormwater trap. In particular, the invention relates to filtering water that passes from street guttering into roadside stormwater traps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Stormwater drainage systems allow rainwater to travel from streets into oceans and/or rivers to prevent streets from flooding.

Stormwater drainage systems are formed by stormwater traps that are interconnected by stormwater drains. A multiplicity of stormwater traps are connected in series to a single stormwater drain.

Most stormwater drainage systems operate effectively when stormwater does not contain solid waste such as leaves and litter. However, in most cities, leaves and litter are located within a kerbside gutter. When heavy rain occurs, the litter and leaves are washed into the stormwater traps.

Leaves and litter that are washed through the stormwater drainage system flow into waterways. Often litter, such as cigarette butts, are dangerous to marine life and cause the waterways to become polluted.

Further, the litter and leaves occasionally impede or block the stormwater drain. This causes water to flow upwardly through the stormwater traps that are located up stream from the impediment and/or blockage in the drain. This often causes damage due to adjacent properties due to flooding.

Several attempts have been made to prevent solids from polluting waterways. For example, filters have been located over the entrance to the drain at each stormwater trap. These filters are effective in preventing solid waste from entering waterways. However, the filter can be blocked by the solids and hence cause blockage of the stormwater drain.

Also, stormwater drains may also become blocked due to stray animals seeking refuge with the stormwater drainage system. These animals become lodged within the stormwater drain blocking the stormwater drain. If the animal is blocked at a location that is a substantial distance from a stormwater drain, it may be necessary to excavate the ground located above the drain in order to remove the animal.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to overcome or alleviate at least on or more of the above disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, this invention relates to a stormwater trap comprising: a pit to catch a flow of water; an opening to allow said water to flow from outside said stormwater trap into said pit; at least one drain connected to said pit; and a filter located adjacent said opening and above said drain; wherein said filter is positioned such that any water that passes through the opening must pass through said filter before it passes through said drain without said filter impeding the flow of water through said drain.

Preferably, the filter extends substantially the length and width of the pit to cover the area of the pit.

The filter may include a basket and a flap that is hinged to said basket.

The filter is preferably constructed of mesh.

The filter may be attached to the pit. Attachment means may be used to attach the filter to the pit. The attachment means may be angled support bars that are attached to the pit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a stormwater drainage system according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a filter attached to a stormwater trap according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the filter attached to a stormwater trap according to FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the filter attached to a stormwater trap according to FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a stormwater drainage system 100. The stormwater drainage system includes a number of stormwater traps 10 that are interconnected to a single stormwater drain 20. The stormwater drainage system 100 operates in a standard fashion. That is, water flows from street level 101 into the series of stormwater traps 10. The water then flows from the traps 10 into the stormwater drain 20, which empties into waterways such as rivers or oceans.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show each stormwater trap 10 in more detail.

Each stormwater trap 10 includes a pit 30 that is connected to the stormwater drain 20; an opening 40 that allows water to flow from street level 101 into the pit 30; and a filter 50 to remove solid waste from the water.

The opening in this embodiment is partially enclosed by a pivotally mounted grate 41 that can be readily opened and closed to gain access to the pit 30. The opening also extends into a kerb 102. It should be appreciated that this is only one embodiment of an opening leading into the pit of a stormwater drain. It should be appreciated that various other types of openings may be used to allow water to flow in the pit.

The filter 50 includes a basket 51 and a flap 52 that is hinged to the basket 51. The basket 51 is constructed of a galvanised mesh and iron framing. However, it should be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used to manufacture the filter 50. The filter 50 is sized such that it extends the length and width of the pit 30. It would be appreciated that the filter may be attached to the grate 41 in another embodiment.

The filter 50 is attached to the pit via two L-shaped strips that extend along the end walls of the pit 30. The top of the basket sits on the strips 60 to hold the filter 50 in position. The strips 60 are positioned so that the bottom of the filter sits above the drain 20. In this manner, the filter does not impede the flow of water through the drain The basket 50 can be installed into existing or new stormwater drains by attaching the strips 60 to the end walls of the pit 30. The basket 51 is then located on the strips 60 and the hinged flap 52 rotated until it touches the back wall of the pit 30. This ensures that any water that passes through the opening and into the pit 30 must pass through the filter 51 before it passes into the stormwater drain 20. Further, it also prevents any animals from entering into the stormwater drain In the event that the filter 50 becomes blocked by the solid waste this will only affect a single stormwater trap 10. The water that cannot pass into this stormwater trap from street level will flow along the street until it reaches the next stormwater trap. The flow of water through the stormwater drain from other traps will not be impeded or blocked by the filter 50, thus reducing the chance of flooding.

The filter 50 need only be checked infrequently to remove any solid waste that has accumulated over a period of time. This can be achieved by rotating the grate 41 upwardly, rotating the flap 52 toward the open end of the basket 51, and removing the basket 51. The waste can then be emptied appropriately. The basket 51 can then be replaced, the flap 52 rotated until it touches the back wall of the pit, and the grate 41 closed to complete cleaning of the filter The stormwater trap provides the advantages that it catches all 6 solid waste, is easily emptied, does not impede the flow of water through the stormwater drain 21, and will prevent animals from entering the stormwater drain It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the invention described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. A stormwater trap comprising: a pit to catch a flow of water; an opening to allow said water to flow from outside said stormwater trap into said pit; at least one drain connected to said pit; and a filter located adjacent said opening and above said drain wherein said filter is positioned such that any water that passes through the opening must pass through said filter before it passes through said drain without said filter impeding the flow of water through said drain

2. The stormwater trap of claim 1 wherein, the filter extends substantially the length and width of the pit.

3. The stormwater trap of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the filter includes a basket and a flap that is hinged to said basket.

4. The stormwater trap of claim any one of the preceding claims wherein the filter is constructed of mesh. The stormwater trap of any one of the preceding claims wherein the filter is removably attached to the pit using attachment means. DATED this Twelfth day of April 2002. GLEN EDWARD MULLER DEAN ANDREW MULLER BRETT ANTHONY MULLER By their Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY