NZ260720A - Water sump; container with open end at ground level and with a closed end under ground level, a shoulder region is located adjacent the open end - Google Patents

Description

2607a NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION No.: 260720 Date: 10 June 1994 "Water Sump" We, CLARKS POTTERIES LIMITED, a duly incorporated New Zealand company of 40 Taylor Street, Avondale, Auckland, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to a water sump and in particular to a wat*sump Tor use in collecting ground surface water. The present invention also relates to siphon and in particular but not solely to removable siphons which can be used in water sumps.

Known water sumps consist of a cylinder which is embedded into concrete. The cylinder is usually a ceramic or other similar baked clay material and it is often necessary to break or otherwise form a hole through the cylinder to allow drainage of the sump. These prior art sumps are thus difficult to make and install and there is an added difficulty in that if, as is often the case, the sump fills up with dirt or debris, the sump fills up to an extent that the outflow is blocked and the entire sump must be dug out. There is an additional disadvantage of the above mentioned prior art device in that it is difficult to fit a grate over the top of said water sump.

There therefore exists a need for a water sump which, in at least a preferred form goes some way to overcoming the above mentioned disadvantages.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a water sump which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention may be said to consist in a water sump comprising: a main body, said main body having: a substantially open end; a closed end; and a shoulder region defined by a waisted portion or constricted region of said main body.

Preferably said shoulder region is provided by a waisted portion or a constricted region at or towards the open end of said main body.

Preferably said main body has a drainage aperture therethrough.

Preferably said drainage aperture has a siphon in communication therewith, said siphon comprising a conduit defining portion and an attachment portion in communication with said conduit defining portion, said attachment portion fitable (preferably in an interference fit) into said drainage aperture.

Preferably said drainage aperture is in communication with and preferably attached to a conduit extending from said main body. 2607 P Preferably said main body is of a substantially moulded construction.

Preferably said siphon is removable.

Preferably said main body is substantially cylindrical.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a side elevation of one preferred form of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of one preferred form of the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view through AA of one preferred form of the present invention in use; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of a siphon portion according to one form of the present invention.

As shown in the figures, in a preferred form of the present invention a water sump 1 is provided, said water sump has a main body 20. Said main body and preferred forms of the present invention has a open mouth or end 7. A shoulder 6 is provided in preferred forms of the present invention by means of a narrowed portion 5. Said narrowed portion 5 creates a constriction which provides a shoulder 6 within the opened end or mouth 7 of said main body.

Preferred forms of the present invention also include a siphon 2. Said siphon comprising a substantially conduit finding member 11 and a fitment portion 12, said fitment portion 12 being in fluid communication with said conduit member 11.

In a preferred form of the present invention as illustrated said siphon 2 comprises a substantially cylindrical pipe portion 11 and a substantially truncated cone portion 12 said portion 11 and 12 being connected by means of a substantially curved transition portion 13.

The siphon portion provides a open end 30.

As shown in use in Figure 3 the present invention provides a water sump 1 which preferably has therein a siphon 2 and has a substantially closed end 50.

The water sump 1 provides for the fitment of a covering 8, for example, a metal grate or other mesh like device by means of bearing said covering 8 against the » ' » 260720 shoulder 6. Said metal grate fits into or over said mouth 7 of said main body and rests on a shoulder 5 created by the narrowing of said mouth.

The siphon provides for a conduit connecting a lower opening 30 to an outlet or drainage aperture 4 through the main body of said water sump 1. The fitment 12 of said siphon 2 into said drainage aperture 4 is preferably an interference fit.

As shown in Figure 3 in use a water sump is provided with a grate 8 over or in the mouth 7 of said water sump. The grate 8 is preferably supported by the shoulder 6. The water sump is surrounded by concrete or other paving 9. In periods of rain or at other times when said water sump is used water or similar flows into said water sump by means of said grate 8. Silt and any other debris contained within said water are allowed to settle in a lower portion 50 at or towards the closed end of the sump 1 of said water sump and said water is siphoned out through said siphon 2 by means of the opening 30. The water flows through aperture 4 and into any pipe or similar conduit or channel which preferably flows therefrom. Should silt of other debris build up to such a level as to substantially block said opening 30 and said siphon 2 said blockage prevents said water flowing through said aperture 4.

A water sump according to at least preferred forms of the present invention can be installed by digging a hole of an appropriate size and shape, and in an appropriate position. The main body of the water sump 1 is then inserted into the hole and packed with fill material if required. A top layer of cement or concrete can then be applied and smoothed to an appropriate level with respect to the top of the water sump 1. The shoulder 6 is cleaned of excess material if required and the hole arrangement left to set if required.

If desired the siphon 2 can then be removed from said aperture 4 which allows water to again flow out through aperture 4. Any silt contained within the lower portion of said sump 50 can then be dug out or otherwise removed thus clearing the water sump 1. The siphon can then be replaced in said aperture 4, thus substantially restoring said water sump 1 to use.

Said main body of said water sump 1 preferably produced from moulded plastics material however other suitable materials may be utilised. Said siphon 2 is preferably produced from a plastics material such as PVC.

Prior art water sumps are created from a length of pipe preferably ceramic or other baked clay pipe which is sealed by mortar or other suitable, for example, cement based material at one end. In order to provide a drainage hole, a lower portion of the pipe is broken or sometimes drilled out. This can be a somewhat difficult procedure and may result in the shattering of the pipe. Mortar is usually placed at the upper portion of the pipe and shaped so as to provide a support means for any grate which is inserted into the sump. These procedures are somewhat difficult and are time consuming. There exists a need for a water sump which can be easily installed, which is preferably light in weight, easy to install and/or easy to clean. It is believed at least preferred forms of the present invention go at least part way to achieving one or more of the aforementioned aims.

It thus can be seen the present invention provides a water sump preferably including a siphon, the siphon is preferably of a one piece construction in preferred ferns of the present invention therefore at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Claims (9)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A water sump comprising: a main body, said main body having: a substantially open end; a closed end; and intellectual property office of NZ ' 3 APR 1998 RECEIVED a shoulder region defined by a waisted portion or constricted region of saia mail. body.

2. A water sump as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shoulder region is provided by a waisted portion or a constricted region at or towards the open end of said main body.

3. A water sump as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said main body has a drainage aperture therethrough.

4. A water sump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said drainage aperture has a siphon in communication therewith, said siphon comprising a conduit defining portion and an attachment portion in communication with said conduit defining portion, said attachment portion fitable (preferably in an interference fit) into said drainage aperture.

5. A water sump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said drainage aperture is in communication with and preferably attached to a conduit extending from said main body.

6. A water sump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said main body is of a substantially moulded construction.

7. A water sump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said siphon is removable.

8. A water sump as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said main body is substantially cylindrical.

9. A water sump as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying figures. DATED THIS DAY OF rtpH A.J. PARK & SON PER AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANT