AU2010202445B2

AU2010202445B2 - Adaptor for a stormwater pit

Info

Publication number: AU2010202445B2
Application number: AU2010202445A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Phillip Thomas
Original assignee: Precast Civil Ind Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Precast Civil Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-12
Filing date: 2010-06-11
Publication date: 2014-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-11
Also published as: AU2010202445A1

Abstract

- 20 This invention relates to an adaptor (10) fixable to an external surface about a sidewall opening in the stormwater pit. The adaptor (10) includes a top wall (14), a 5 bottom wall (15) and one or more side walls (16, 17). The side walls (16, 17) has an opening (18) with an opening peripheral surface (26, 27, 26, 29) that can sealably engage the external surface of the stormwater pit. The side walls (16, 17) have removable portions (19, 20) which can be removed to position a pipe therein. The walls define an internal space (24) which has a depth that is at least the diameter of 10 a removable portion. The peripheral surface (26, 27, 28, 29) of the opening (18) is sealably engaged with the external surface of the stormwater pit and a pipe is positioned in a removed removable portion (19, 20) of the one or more side walls (16, 17) and a passageway is formed which facilitates the flow of water from the pipe into the stormwater pit with minimal turbulence.

Description

- I ADAPTOR FOR A STORMWATER PIT FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to stormwater pits and stormwater drainage 5 systems. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application to connections of pipes to stormwater pits where the pipes carry water from roads, kerbs, gutters, footpaths, commercial and domestic areas and industrial sites. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 A stormwater pit serves as a collection point for water runoff from several different locations. Pipes that carry the runoff water are directly connected to an inlet of the stormwater pit. The stormwater pit can have several inlets. Depending on the number of pipes and their position relative to the stormwater pit, a stormwater pit can have several pipes connected to a single inlet in the stormwater pit. However, 15 the current practice or fixing two or more pipes to a single inlet has been improvised on site and often does not form a lasting or sealed connection. Water leaking from these connections has been shown to cause shifting of the foundations over time which in turn has lead to the fracturing of the pipes and connections. Furthermore the position of the pipes in the inlet and into the stormwater 20 internal cavity causes turbulence and drainage problems when there is a large volume of water flowing into the stormwater pit after heavy rainfalls. Water from the pipes rushes into the stormwater pit from different directions. Water from each of the pipes collides in the stormwater pit creating substantial turbulence. The turbulence created in the stormwater pit disrupts the water flow from the stormwater pit and 25 therefore impedes the drainage of the water. Poor drainage of water from the stormwater pit subsequently causes water from the stormwater pit to overflow. Therefore with heavy rainfall, there is a potential overflow problem with the water from multiple pipes entering the stormwater pit. 5 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an adaptor for a stormwater pit that overcomes at least in part one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in an adaptor fixable to an external surface about a sidewall opening in the stormwater pit including a top wall, a bottom wall and one or more side walls; said one or more side walls has an opening with an opening peripheral surface that can sealably engage 15 the external surface oF the stormwater pit; said at least one of the walls has a removable portion which can be removed to position a pipe therein; said walls define an internal space which has a depth that is at least the diameter of the removable portion; wherein when the peripheral surface of the opening is sealably engaged with 20 the external surface of the stormwater pit and a pipe is positioned in a removed removable portion of the one or more side walls, a passageway is formed which facilitates the flow of water from the pipe into the stormwater pit with minimal turbulence. Preferably the length and width of the passageway is such that water can flow 25 into the stormwater pit in a continuous and substantially non-turbulent flow.

The top wall, the bottom wall and the one or more side walls are preferably between 50 mm and 200 mm thick. More preferably, the top wall, the bottom wall and the one or more side walls 5 are 100 mm thick. The removable portion preferably has one or more recessed sections on the outer face of the one or more side walls. The one or more recessed sections are preferably comparatively thinner than other sections of the one or more side walls. 10 Preferably, the one or more recessed sections have a periphery that is substantially elliptical or substantially circular in shape. More preferably, the one or more recessed sections have graduated marked areas corresponding to different diameters of pipes to enable the removal of an appropriate area of the one or more side walls corresponding to the diameter of the 15 pipe. The base and top walls may have one or more of the removable portions mentioned above. The removable portion is preferably positioned in the one or more side walls to position the pipe so that the flow from the pipe is at an angle relative to the 20 external surface of the stormwater pit. The opening peripheral surface preferably forms a flush sealed join with the external surface of the storrnwater pit. Alternately, the opening peripheral surface has a complementary shape to the external surface of the stormwater pit and can form a sealed join with the external 25 surface of the stormwater pit. In this embodiment the opening peripheral surface and the external surface of the stormwater pit preferably have complementary rebate sections. In another alternative, the opening peripheral surface has one or more outwardly extending pins or one or more recesses for positioning pins wherein the 5 pins or recesses enable the opening peripheral surface to be joined to the external surface of the stormwater pit. Preferably, there is a waterproof seal between the opening peripheral surface and the external surface of the stormwater pit so that the ground beneath the stormwater pit does not become wet and destabilized. The waterproof seal is 10 preferably a silicone sealer. The diameter of the removed removable portion is preferably substantially the same (or a smaller) diameter as the sidewall opening in the stormwater pit so that there is minimal restriction to the flow of water. Preferably the length of the passageway enables water to flow into the 15 stormwater pit in a continuous and substantially non-turbulent flow. Preferably the diameter of the stormwater pit internal aperture is wider than the sidewall opening in the stormwater pit. Preferably large flows passing through the internal aperture of the stormwater pit creates a venturi effect which draws water from the adaptor passageway into the 20 stormwater pit. The gradual fall in the stormwater pipes ensures that the water drains from the stormwater pit. In one set of preferred embodiments, the adaptor has three side walls to form a triangular shape. The length of the side walls may vary to form an equilateral triangle shaped adaptor where the internal angles of the walls relative to each other are substantially the same or form a right angle triangle shaped adaptor where there is a substantially 90 degree angle between two of the walls. In other preferred embodimonts the adaptor can have four or more side walls thereby providing a plurality of removable portions. 5 In another embodiment, the adaptor has an arcuate side wall which preferably forms a semi circular or circular shaped adaptor. Two or more adapters can preferably be used in a modular arrangement to provide additional junction points for stormwater pipes. Additional adaptors can be preferably added retrospectively without disrupting 10 the existing drainage pipes and stormwater pit. As additional adaptors provide additional internal space, the passageway for the flow of water is preferably lengthened to accommodate entry of additional water while minimizing the presence of turbulence. The adaptor is preferably made of concrete. 15 In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a adaptor system for a stormwater pit including two or more adaptors as described above; wherein the adaptors are modular and connectable to the stormwater pit in any suitable configuration to facilitate drainage into the stormwater pit. 20 In a further aspect the invention provides an adaptor for connecting at least one pipe to a stormwater pit, the adaptor including: an adaptor wall that defines an interior space having an open mouth, the adaptor wall having a peripheral edge around the wall for mounting about an fluid inlet opening of the stormwater pit, the adaptor wall further including at least one 25 connecting formation for cooperating with an end of the pipe.

When the adaptor is in use, the turbulence of the flow entering the adaptor wall is preferably reduced when the flow enters the stormwater pit. The adaptor wall preferably defines an interior space that has a cross sectional flow path that is large than that of the at least one pipe that cooperates with 5 the connecting formation of the adaptor. The adaptor wall may include a top wall, a bottom wall and one or more side walls. The connecting formation may include an aperture in any one or more of the the top wall, the bottom wall and one or more side walls for receiving a 10 complementary sized end of a pipe. The connecting formation may include a knockout portion that is removable in any one or more of the top wall, the bottom wall and one or more side walls for forming an aperture to receive a complementary sized end of a pipe. The adaptor may include any one or more of the optional features as defined 15 and described in accordance with the above aspects of the invention, In yet a further aspect the invention provides an adaptor for connecting at least one pipe to a stormwater pit, the adaptor including: an adaptor wall that defines an interior space having an open mouth, the adaptor wall having a peripheral edge around the wall for mounting about an fluid 20 inlet opening of the stormwater pit, the adaptor wall further including at least one connecting formation for cooperating with an end of the pipe, the interior space of the adaptor wall having a cross sectional flow path that is larger than that of the at least one pipe that cooperates with the connecting formation of the adaptor and a flow path length that is sufficient for discharging of a fluid from the at least one pipe onto -7 an inner surface of the adaptor wall so as to avoid discharging of the fluid from the pipe directly into the inlet opening of the storrnwater pit. The adaptor may include any one or more of the optional features as defined and described in accordance with the above aspects of the invention. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein: 10 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an adaptor according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top cross sectional view of the adaptor shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of an adaptor according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 15 Figure 4 is a top cross sectional view of the adaptor shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the adaptors shown in Figures 1 and 3 joined to a stormwater pit and pipes; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic and partial view of one of the adaptors shown in Figure 5 showing a dowel connecting the adaptor to the stormwater pit; 20 Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of an adaptor according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of an adaptor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the adaptors shown in Figures 7 and 8 25 joined to a stormwater pit and pipes; Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of an adaptor according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention that is joined to a stormwater pit; and Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of the adaptor and stormwater pit shown in Figure 10. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figures 1 to 6, there are shown two different triangular shaped adaptors 10, 11 that are can be joined to a stormwater pit 12. The adaptor 10 has an adaptor wall that includes a top wall 14, a bottom wall 10 15 and two side walls 16, 17. Each of the two side walls 16, 17 has a planar outer surface of the same surface area and the two side walls 16, 17 are joined to form an equilateral triangle shaped adaptor 10. The top wall 14, bottom wall 15 and side walls 16, 17 are each 100 mm in thickness. Each of the two side walls 16, 17 has a connecting formation in the form of a 15 removable portion 19, 20, respectively. The removable portions 19, 20 can be removed to position pipes 21, 22 in the side walls 16, 17, respectively. Each of the removable portions 19, 20 is substantially circular and has a recessed section on the outer face of the side walls 16, 17. The recessed section is comparatively thinner than the other sections or the side wall 16, 17 to allow the removable portions 19, 20 20 to be relatively easily knocked out without damaging other sections of the respective walls. The removable portions 19, 20 have a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the pipes 21, 22. The two side walls 16, 17 the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15 define an internal space 24. The depth of the internal space 24 is greater than the diameter of 25 each of the pipes 21, 22.

The adaptor 10 has an opening 18 bordered by the peripheral surface 26, 27, 28, 29. The peripheral surface 26, 27, 28, 29 can engage with an external surface 32 about an inlet 33 of the stormwater pit 12 to form a sealed flush join. The width of the internal space 24 is approximately the same size as the width of the inlet 33 of 5 the stormwater pit 12. Each of the opening peripheral surfaces 28, 29 has two recesses 34 for positioning dowels 35. The peripheral surface about the inlet 33 has corresponding dowel recesses so that dowels 35 can be positioned to locate and join the adaptor 10 relative to the stormwater pit 12. The adaptor 10 and stormwater pit 12 are 10 sealed with a silicone sealant so that water cannot escape the drainage pipe work and destabilize the foundations of the stormwater pit 12 and adaptor 10. When in use the removable portions 19, 20 are removed by knocking through the recessed section around the periphery of the removable portions 19, 20. The adaptor 10 is joined to the external surface 32 of the stormwater pit 12 with the use 15 of dowels 35. A waterproof sealant is placed between the opening peripheral surfaces 26, 27, 28, 29 and the external surface 32 of the stormwater pit 12 to form a water tight seal. The pipes 21, 22 are positioned in the apertures that are formed in the side walls 16, 17 after removal of the removable portions 19, 20, respectively. When the adaptor 10 is joined to the stornwater pit 12, the internal space 24 20 of the adaptor 10 forms a passageway to allow water to flow from the pipes 21, 22 into the stormwater pit 12. The passageway provides a space for the incoming water to be redirected into a single flow before it enters the stormwater pit. The flow of water is redirected in order to minimize turbulence in the stormwater pit and therefore facilitate drainage from the stormwater pit.

- 10 Instead of having one or more pipes jutting into the stormwater pit and directing the flow of water from the pipes to the centre of the stormwater pit, the use of the adaptor directs the water from different pipes into a single flow that passes into the stormwater pit to join with the stormwater pit flow rather than have a number of 5 flows that project across the stormwater pit flow causing turbulence and surges within the stormwater pit. Furthermore the flow from the pipes through the passageway and into the stormwater pit can be angled depending on the volume of the water through each of the pipes. When a flow of water enters the stormwater pit at an angle, the flow joins 10 with the stormwater flow and spirals downwards and drains away. The use of the adaptor 10 directs the water from each of the pipes 21, 22 to flow into the passageway at an angle relative to the external surface 32 of the stormwater pit 12. Water from the two different pipes 21, 22 converges in the passageway and forms a more directed flow of water into the stormwater pit 12. The 15 directed flow of water facilitates both entry of water into the stormwater pit 12 and drainage from the stormwater pit 12. With relatively large stormwater flows of half or more of the diameter of the stormwater pit, the water from the adaptor is drawn into the stormwater pit by a venturi effect. When a large volume of water drains through the stormwater pit 12, a 20 venturi effect is achieved and facilitates drainage from the stormwater pit 12. Multiple adaptors can be used to channel water into a stormwater pit 12. Figure 5 shows an example where two different adaptors 10, 11 and multiple pipes are used to channel water into a single stormwater pit 12. The adaptor 11 is similar to the adaptor 10 described above except that 25 adaptor 11 is a right angle triangle shaped adaptor. Adaptor 11 has a top wall 40, a - II bottom wall 41 and two side walls 42, 43 with two planar surfaces of different surface areas. Each of the side walls 42, 43 has a removable portion 45, 46. Each removable portion 45, 46 is of different size to accommodate a pipe 47, 48 of a different diameter. The top wall 40, bottom wall 41 and side walls 42, 43 define a 5 triangular shaped internal space 49 that forms a passageway for a flow of water from the pipes 47, 48 into the stormwater pit 12. With reference to Figures 7 to 11, there are shown several other different embodiments of the adaptor. Each of the adaptors 50, 51, 52 is similar to the adaptor 10 described above except that adaptors 50, 51, 52 are of a different shape. 10 Adaptor 50 is an elongate adaptor with a top wall 55, bottom wall 56 and four side walls 57, 58, 59, 60. Each of the side walls 57, 58, 59, 60 has a removable portion that can be removed to form an aperture for positioning pipes. The top wall 55, bottom wall 56 and two of the four side walls 57, 58 each has a opening peripheral surface 67, 68, 69, 70 respectively, that can be joined and sealed with an 15 external surface 72 of a stormwater pit 73. The top wall 55, bottom wall 56 and side walls 57, 58, 59, 60 define an elongate internal space 75 that forms a passageway for a flow of water into the stormwater pit 73 when the adaptor 50 is joined to the stormwater pit 73. Figures 7 and 9 show three of the four removable portions removed to form apertures 61, 62, 63 for positioning pipes 76, 77, 78. The fourth 20 removable portion 64 is not removed. The water enters the passageway through pipes 76, 77, 78 positioned in the side waIls 57, 58, 59 of the adaptor 50. Adaptor 51, shown in Figure 8, is a square shaped adaptor having a top wall 80, bottom wall 81 and three side walls 82, 83, 84. Each of the side walls 82, 83, 84 has a removable portion that can be removed to form apertures 86, 87, 88 for 25 positioning pipes. The top wall 80, bottom wall 81 and side walls 82, 83, 84 form a 12 square internal space 86 that forms another passageway for a flow of water into the stormwater pit 73 when the adaptor 51 is joined to another external faco 74 of the stormwater pit 73. Adaptor 52, shown in Figure 10, is a semi circular adaptor with a top wall 90, 5 bottom wall and an arcuate side wall 92. The arcuate side wall 92 has two removable portions that can be removed to form two apertures 93, 94 for positioning pipes, The top wall 90, bottom wall and an arcuate side wall 92 define a semi circular internal space 98 that forms a passageway when the adaptor 52 is joined to an external surface 99 of a stormwater pit 100. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10 11, pipes fittings 95 with arcuate saddles 96 are positioned over the apertures 93, 94 and fastened to the side wall 92. Pipes 97, 98 are connected to the adaptor 52 through the pipe fittings 95.

- [3 ADVANTAGES The preferred embodiment of the adaptor provides the advantage of forming a flow of water that can pass into the stormwater pit without creating turbulence and 5 surges. The preferred embodiment of the adaptor also provides the advantage of forming a single flow from two or more flows from different pipes and passaging the single flow into the stormwater pit. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the adaptor is the 10 provision of multiple entry points for water into a single stormwater pit. The multiple entry points also create a venturi effect when a threshold volume of water is flowing through the stormwater pit. The venturi effect provides suction for drawing water from the multiple entry points into the stormwater pit and facilitates drainage of water from the stormwater pit. 15 Another advantage of the preferred embodiments of the adaptor is that the adaptors are modular and can be connected to the stormwater pit in any suitable arrangement. The adaptors can also be retrofitted to an existing stormwater pit. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment is that it reduces the need for a larger pit or use two pits to accommodate multiple pipes. 20 VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within 25 the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

- 14 Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 5

Claims

1. An adaptor fixable to an external surface about a sidewall opening in the stormwater pit including 5 a top wall, a bottom wall and one or more side walls; said one or more side walls has an opening with an opening peripheral surface that can sealably engage the external surface of the stormwater pit; said at least one of the walls has a removable portion which can be removed to position a pipe therein; said walls define an internal space which has a depth that is at least the diameter of the removable 10 portion; wherein when the peripheral surface of the opening is sealably engaged with the external surface of the stormwater pit and a pipe is positioned in a removed removable portion of the one or more side walls, a passageway is formed which facilitates the flow of water from the pipe into the stormwater pit with minimal 15 turbulence.

2. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1, in which the top wall, the bottom wall and the one or more side walls are between 50 mm and 200 mm thick. 20 3. An adaptor as claimed in claim 2, in which the top wall, the bottom wall and the one or more side walls are 100 mm thick.

4. An adaptor as claimed in claim 2, in which the removable portion has one or more recessed sections on the outer face of the one or more side walls. 25 16

5. An adaptor as claimed in claim 4, in which the one or more recessed sections are comparatively thinner than other sections of the one or more side walls.

6. An adaptor as claimed in claim 5, in which the one or more recessed sections 5 have a periphery that is substantially elliptical or substantially circular in shape.

7. An adaptor as claimed in claim 6, in which the one or more recessed sections have graduated marked areas corresponding to different diameters of pipes to enable the removal of an appropriate area of the one or more side walls 10 corresponding to the diameter of the pipe. 0. An adaptor as claimed in claim 7, in which the base and top walls have one or more of the removable portions. 15 9. An adaptor as claimed in claim 8, in which the removable portion is positioned in the one or more side walls to position the pipe so that the flow from the pipe is at an angle relative to the external surface of the stormwater pit.

10. An adaptor as claimed in claim 9, in which the opening peripheral surface 20 forms a flush sealed join with the external surface of the stormwater pit.

11. An adaptor as claimed in claim 10, in which the opening peripheral surface has a complementary shape to the external surface of the stormwater pit and can form a sealed join with the external surface of the stormwater pit. 25 - 17

12. An adaptor as claimed in claim 11, in which the opening peripheral surface and the external surface of the stormwater pit have complementary rebate sections.

13. An adaptor as claimed in claim 11, in which the opening peripheral surface 5 has one or more outwardly extending pins or one or more recesses for positioning pins wherein the pins or recesses enable the opening peripheral surface to be joined to the external surface of the stormwater pit. 14, An adaptor as claimed in claim 13, in which there is a waterproof seal 10 between the opening peripheral surface and the external surface of the stormwater pit so that the ground beneath the stormwater pit does not become wet and destabilized.

15. An adaptor as claimed in claim 14, in which the waterproof seal is a silicone 15 sealer.

16. An adaptor as claimed in claim 15, in which the diameter of the removed removable portion is substantially the same (or a smaller) diameter as the sidewall opening in the stormwater pit so that there is minimal restriction to the flow of water, 20

17. An adaptor as claimed in claim 16, in which the length of the passageway enables water to flow into the stormwater pit in a continuous and substantially non turbulent flow. - 18

18. An adaptor as claimed in claim 17, in which the diameter of the stormwater pit internal aperture is wider than [he sidewall opening in the storrnwater pit.

19. An adaptor as claimed in claim 18, in which large flows passing through the 5 internal aperture of the stormwater pit creates a venturi effect which draws water from the adaptor passageway into the stormwater pit.

20. An adaptor as claimed in claim 19, which has three side walls to form a triangular shape. 10

21. An adaptor as claimed in claim 20, in which the lengths of the side walls are such to form an equilateral triangle shaped adaptor where the internal angles of the walls relative to each other are substantially the same. 15 22. An adaptor as claimed in claim 21, in which the lengths of the side wall are such to form a right angle triangle shaped adaptor where there is a substantially 90 degree angle between two of the walls.

23. An adaptor as claimed in claim 19, which includes foLIr or more side walls 20 thereby providing a plurality of removable portions.

24. An adaptor as claimed in claim 19, which includes an arcuate side wall which forms a semi circular or circular shaped adaptor. 19) 25. An adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is made of concrete.

26. An adaptor system for a stormwater pit including 5 two or more adaptors as described above; wherein the adaptors are modular and connectable to the stormwater pit in any suitable configuration to facilitate drainage into the stormwater pit.

27. An adaptor, substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to 10 Figures 1 to 11.