US3675248A

US3675248A - Flood control system

Info

Publication number: US3675248A
Authority: US
Inventors: Emil A Gaj
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-06-01
Filing date: 1970-06-01
Publication date: 1972-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-11

Abstract

A flood control system for preventing the flooding of a house basement, and including a valve disposed within the seepage drain pipe, which upon actuation closes off the seepage drain pipe preventing water from backing up from the main sewer line through the drainage pipe and into the seepage drain tile, which is disposed adjacent the house foundation. Appropriate sensing means is preferably disposed within the sanitary drain pipe at a level below the drain tile for sensing water backed up therein from the main sewer line to actuate the valve and to close the seepage drain pipe. The sensing means may also be connected to a basement toilet for closing off the toilet when the water backs up, preventing the water from backing up through the toilet into the basement.

Description

United States Patent &1

[451 July 11,1972

[54] FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM 2 1 Appl. No.: 41,907

3,202,165 8/1965 Yavicoli 137/1 15 X 2,792,011 5/1957 Weisrnan et a1... I 37/1 15 X 2,739,662 3/1956 Sofia ..l37/l 15 2,431,640 11/1947 Gordon... ..137/1 15 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Atromzy-Hauke, Gifford and Patalidis ABSTRACT A flood control system for preventing the flooding of a house basement, and including a valve disposed within the seepage drain pipe, which upon actuation closes off the seepage drain pipe preventing water from backing up from the main sewer line through the drainage pipe and into the seepage drain tile, which is disposed adjacent the house foundation. Appropriate sensing means is preferably disposed within the sanitary drain pipe at a level below the drain tile for sensing water backed up therein from the main sewer line to actuate the valve and to close the seepage drain pipe. The sensing means may also be connected to a basement toilet for closing of? the toilet when the water backs up, preventing the water from backing up through the toilet into the basement.

13Claims,8DrawlngHgures 52 use .A/l. 137/115 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47lt 17/00, E03d 1 1/00 [58] Fleldofseareh ..l37lll5,ll0,139,328,107, 137/240;210/1ll;4/1,l0

[56] Reference Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.549.204 4/1951 Kaddatz ..l37/l l5 2,747,678 5/1956 Howe ..l37/115 2,960,101 11/1960 Winter ..l37/l l5 2,591.030 4/1952 Versoy. ....l37/l39 3,093,156 6/1963 Nielsen.. ....l37/328 3.093.154 6/1963 Nialsen ....l37/1l5 3,017,895 1/1962 Portner ..l37/1l5 f k s P A TENTEDJUL 1 1 m2 SHEEI 10F 3 INVENTOR EMIL A. GAJ

ATTORNEYS PATENT'EOJUL 11 m2 3, 675,248

Ill/l/l/l/Il/ll/l/l INVENTOR EMIL A. GAJ

ATTORNEYS 11000 CONTROL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to flood control systems, and more particularly to a flood control system for use in houses to prevent the flooding of the basement.

ll. Description of the Prior Art Many types of flood control systems for houses have been made, one being illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,204 issued Apr. 17, 1951 to Oscar W. Kaddatz, wherein a valve is provided in the sewage drainage pipe in appropriate means for sensing the presence of water as caused by heavy rains and for closing the valve to prevent the backwater from flowing back into the system.

The disadvantages of such a device include the fact that once a house is constructed the sewer tile would have to be dug up in order to install such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The house flood control system of the present invention includes a solenoid activated valve which may be inserted into the conventional seepage drain pipe communicating between the seepage drain tile surrounding the foundation of the house and the main sewer line for blocking the back-flow of water from the main sewage line through the seepage drain pipe and into the seepage drain tile, where it will flow into the ground and through cracks in the basement floor and foundation into the house basement. When the solenoid is deenergized. the valve allows water to flow from the seepage drain tile, through the seepage drain pipe and into the main sewer line and in the opposite direction from the main sewer line into the seepage drain tile. When the solenoid is energized, the valve is closed preventing water flow through the seepage drain pipe either from the drain tile to the main sewer line or from the main sewer line to the drain tile.

A sensing mechanism is preferably provided in the conventional house sewage pipe for sensing the back up of water from the main sewer line during a heavy rain fall and other flood conditions to energize the solenoid and close off the seepage drain pipe. Thus, when water backs-up into the house sewage pipe and drainage pipe, the valve is automatically closed preventing the water from backing-up into the drainage tile and flooding the basement.

The sensing mechanism may also be connected to a basement toilet for energizing a valve mechanism therein to close off the toilet during water back-up to prevent the flooding of the basement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description refers to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts through the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the flood control system of the present invention inserted into the conventional house drainage and sewer pipes;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a sensing mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the valve mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating the arrangement of the seepage drain pipe and the sanitary pipe connected into the main sewer line;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a basement toilet embodying the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the valve mechanism in the basement toilet shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the valve mechanism shown in its closed position; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of the valve mechanism shown in its open position.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1. a portion of a house is shown including a basement wall 10 supported by a house foundation 12 and having a basement floor 14 extending horizontally outward from the juncture of the basement wall 10 and foundation 12. Conventionally, houses are built with seepage drain tile, generally indicated at 16, extending around the house immediately adjacent the outer surface of the foundation 1! for capturing the water that filters through the earth. Houses may also be provided with a seepage drain tile 18 extending around the house adjacent the inner surface of the foundation 12. The water filtering through the earth flows into the drain tiles l6 and 18 and is carried away preventing the water from flowing through cracks in the basement wall 10, foundation 12 and basement floor 14 and into the house basement, to thereby aid in maintaining the basement in its dry condition.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the drain tile 16 and seepage drain pipe 20 flows downwardly from the drain tile 16 and 18 into the drain pipe 22, such that the water flows by the force of gravity from the drain tile 16 and 18, through the drain pipe 20 and into the main sewer system. conventionally, the seepage drain pipe 22 includes a straight section of pipe 24 that connects into the lower end of a vertically disposed straight pipe 26 which extends through the basement floor 14 and terminates in an internally threaded opening 28. A downwardly bent elbow section 30 is connected between the lower end of the pipe 26 and a straight section of pipe 32, which connects into the main sewage system. A clean out plug is normally threaded into the opening 28 and may be removed to clean out dirt and other solid particles which accumulate in the elbow section 30. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the elbow section 30 is normally filled with water, preventing fumes from backing-up from the main sewer system.

A sanitary drain pipe 34 is normally disposed at an elevation slightly lower than the drain pipe 22 and is connected between the sanitation receptacles of the house and the main sewer system. The sanitary drain system conventionally includes a straight section of pipe 36 disposed at a slightly lower eleva tion than the drain pipe 22 and having a vertically disposed section of pipe 38 extending through the basement floor 14 for providing a drain 40. The floor drain 40 preferably includes a ball and seat arrangement such that water cannot back-up through the pipe 38 and into the basement of the house. The sanitary drain system also includes a vertically disposed section of pipe 42 which extends upwardly through the basement floor 14 and terminates in an internally threaded opening 44. A threaded clean-out plug is normally screwed into the opening 44 to close off the pipe 42. When it is desired to clean out the sanitary drain system, the plug may be removed and appropriate cleaning apparatus inserted therein for cleaning the system. As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary pipe 34 slants downwardly toward the main sewage system such that the sewage flowing into the pipe 34 will flow to the main sewage system.

During heavy rainfall and other flood conditions, the main sewer system becomes flooded and water and sewage therefrom backs-up into the drain pipe 22 and the sanitary drain pipe 34. Water and sewage from the drain pipe 22 flows through the seepage drain pipe 20 into the drain tile 16 and 18 and therefrom into the surrounding ground, causing water pressure to build up around the basement wall 10, the founda tion 12 and the basement floor l4, forcing the water and sewage through any cracks or openings which might be formed therein and into the basement of the house. Thus, a device is needed which, when the main sewer system starts to back-up, will automatically close off flow to the seepage drain pipe 20, preventing water and sewage from backing-up into the drain tile 16 and 18 and. thus, preventing the flooding of the basement.

The flood control system, generally indicated at 46, operates to close off the drain pipe 22 during flooding and back-up of the main sewer system, preventing the water and sewage therein from backing-up into the drain pipe and the drain tile 16 and 18 and flooding the basement of the house. Specifically, the flood control system 46 includes a valve assembly 48, as shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 3. The valve assembly 48 is inserted into the straight section of pipe 26 by removing the plug which is normally threaded into the opening 28. Thus, the valve assembly 48 may be inserted into a conventional system presently used in houses without the necessity of breaking the basement floor or otherwise substantially modifying the system.

As can best be seen in FIG. 3 valve assembly 48 includes a threaded plug 50 which may be threaded into the opening 28 and which has a cylindrical opening 52 extending therethrough. The plug 50 has an upwardly extending tubular portion 54. The assembly is supported by a tube 56 which extends through the cylindrical opening 52 and which is secured therein by welding, bonding or the like, and has an O-ring 58 extending therearound and disposed within the tubular portion 54 for preventing water from leaking through the apparatus and into the house basement. The tube 56 is of such a length that its lower end is disposed immediately below the juncture of the

pipes

24 and 26.

The valve assembly 48 includes a bracket 60 which is secured to the lower end of the tube 56 and which has a tubular portion 62 extending over the end of the tube 56 and downwardly therefrom. The tubular portion 62 may be secured to the lower end of the tube 56 by any convenient means such as welding, bonding or the like and includes a radially inwardly extending flange 64 disposed adjacent the end of the tube 56. The flange 64 forms a centrally located aperture 66 for reasons to be described. A flange 68 extends radially outward from the lower end of the tubular portion 62 and includes a plurality of threaded openings 70 for receiving bolts 72. A toroidal shaped rigid member 74 is disposed around the tubular portion 62 of the bracket 60 and includes apertures 76 for receiving the bolts 72. A toroidal shaped resilient member 78, preferably formed from hard rubber, is disposed around the tubular portion 62 of the bracket 60 between the member 74 and the flange 68 and includes apertures 80 formed therein for receiving the bolts 72. With the unit positioned as shown in F 16$. 1 and 3, the bolts 72 may be tightened down, compressing the resilient member 78 between the member 74 and the flange 68, expanding the member 78 outwardly so as to form a water-tight seal with the inner surface of the pipe 26 and inwardly so as to form a water-tight seal with the outer surface of the tubular portion 62.

The tubular portion 62 is formed with a plurality of radially extending apertures 82 immediately above the position of the toroidal shaped member 74 for allowing water flowing from the drain tile 16 and 18 and the drain pipe 20 to flow through the bracket 60 and into a chamber 84 formed by the tubular portion 62. A spherical member 86 is suspended immediately below the central opening 85 of the chamber 84 for reasons to be described, forming a toroidal shaped space 88 between the member 86 and the bracket 60 for allowing the water from the chamber 84 to flow into the elbow section and on to the main sewer system. Thus, as positioned in FIGS. 1 and 3, the water may flow from the drain tile 16 and 18 through the bracket 60 to the sewer line 32. The spherical member 86 is supported by a rod 90 which extends upwardly through the spherical member 88, the chamber 84, the aperture 66 and the tube 56 and has its upper end secured to a magnet 92 which forms a part of a solenoid 94. The rod 90 has its lower end threaded as at 96 for receiving a first nut 98 which is threaded a sufficient distance onto the rod 90 to allow the end of the rod to be inserted through a cylindrical aperture 100 formed in the member 86, and a second nut 102 threaded onto the end of the rod 90 so as to secure the member 86 between the two nuts.

The solenoid 94, which may be of any conventional design, is secured to the top of the tube 56 by means of a bracket assembly 104 of any conventional design, secured around the tube 56 and supporting a vertically disposed rectangular plate 106 which has the solenoid 94 secured to its upper end by means of screws 108.

When the solenoid 94 is energized by means hereinafter described, the magnet 92 is pulled upwardly into the solenoid, pulling the rod and the spherical member 86 upwardly such that the member 86 is pulled against the bracket 60 closing off the space 88, preventing water from flowing from the chamber 84 into the elbow section 30.

The spherical member 86 is preferably made from a resilient material, such as hard rubber, so as to form a watertight seal between the member 86 and the rod 90 and nuts 98 and 102 and with the bracket 60. With the spherical member 86 in its upper position, water is also prevented from flowing in either direction through the bracket 60. Thus, during a heavy rain or other flood condition, when the member 86 is in its upper position, water and sewage from the main sewage system is prevented from backing-up through the drain pipe 22 into the seepage drain pipe 20 and the drain tile 16 and I8, preventing the flooding of the house basement. During the flood condition, the water seeping through the ground flows into the drain tile 16 and 18, filling up the drain tile and the drain pipe 20. The water therein is prevented from flowing into the main sewer system by the closed off bracket 60, but the volume of the drain tile 16 and 18 and the pipe 20 is large enough to hold the water during this period of time.

During normal periods, the member 86 is in its lower position, allowing water to flow from the drain pipe 22, through the apertures 82, the chamber 84 and out the space 88 into the sewer line 32. Thus, the solenoid 94 must be energized during flood conditions to pull the member 86 upwardly and deenergized when the flood condition is over for allowing the member 86 by the force of gravity to drop back to its lower position.

The solenoid 94 is energized by a sensing mechanism, generally indicated at 110, and including a tube 112 that extends into the upwardly extending pipe 42. The tube 112 is supported in an aperture 114 fanned in a plug 116, which may be threaded into the opening 44, and secured therein as by welding, bonding or the like. As can best be seen in F IG. 2 the plug 116 includes an upwardly extending tubular portion disposed around the pipe 112 and having an O-ring 117 disposed therein to prevent water leakage therethrough. The sensing mechanism 110 includes a bracket 118 secured around the tube 112 adjacent its upper end and supporting an L-shaped plate 120. One of the legs 122 has its lower end secured to the bracket 118 by means of screws 124 and extends u wardly therefrom. The second leg 126 extends horizontally outward from the upper end of the leg 122.

The sensing mechanism 110 includes a floatable spherical member 128 disposed immediately below the lower end of the tube 112 at the juncture of the pipes 42 and 36 and has a flexible cord 130 extending through an aperture 132 formed therein. The cord 130 is tied at 134 for securing the member 128 thereto and extends upwardly through the tube 112 with its other end extending through an aperture 136 fonned in one end of an elongated member 138. The cord 130 is tied at its upper end 140 to prevent the cord from slipping through the aperture 136. The member 138 is pivoted at its other end about a pin 142. A micro switch 144 of any conventional design is secured to the plate 120 immediately below the member 138 between the pin 142 and the aperture 136 and has a spring loaded switch button 146 extending upwardly and into contact with the lower surface of the member 138. The button 146 is spring loaded to an upper position.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the switch 144 is connected to a source of electrical power by wires 148 and a plug 150 and is connected to the solenoid 94 to energize the same by wires 152. As the member 138 is rotated clockwise about the pin 142, the switch button 146 is allowed to move upwardly, closing the switch 144 and energizing the solenoid 94. As the member 138 is rotated counter-clockwise about the pin 142,

the button 146 is pushed downwardly, opening the switch 144 and deenergizing the solenoid 94.

Thus, during a heavy rain or other flood condition, the water and sewage begins to back-up from the main sewer line into the pipes 32 and 36. As the water and sewage backs-up into the sanitary pipe 34, the member 128 is pushed upward due to its buoyancy. As the member 128 is pushed upwardly, the tension on the cord 130 is released, allowing the spring loaded button 146 to move upwardly, rotating the member 138 clockwise about the pin 142. The upward movement of the button 146 closes the switch 144 and energizes the solenoid 94, pulling the member 86 upwardly, blocking off the drain pipe 22. Thus, as water and sewage backs-up into the sanitary pipe 34, the drain pipe 22 is automatically blocked, preventing the sewage and water from backing-up into the drain tile 16 and 18 and flooding the basement.

When the flood condition has passed and the backed-up water and sewage flows out of the pipe 34, the member 128 moves downward, pulling the cord 130 downward and rotating the member 138 counter-clockwise about the pin 142. The counter-clockwise rotation of the member 138 pushes the button 146 downward, deenergizing the solenoid 94, which allows the member 86 to move downward. The seepage drain system may then function as normal and water may flow from the drain tile 16 and 18 through the pipe 32 to the main sewer system.

It will be noted that although the valve formed by the bracket 60 and the spherical member 86 is disposed within the seepage drain pipe 22 adjacent the elbow section 30 for reasons of convenience and ease of installation, it may be disposed anywhere within the seepage drain system between the drain tile 16 and 18 and the connection to the main sewer system. Although the sensing mechanism 110 is shown disposed in the sanitary pipe 34, it will be noted that the mechanism 1 may be placed anywhere in the system as long as the spherical member 128 is disposed at an elevation below that of the drain tile 16 and 18 so as to shut-off the drain pipe 20 before the backed-up water reaches the drain tile.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, if it is desired to place a toilet in the basement of the house, it is necessary to provide a mechanism to prevent the water and sewage backed-up from the main sewer line 22 from flooding the basement through the toilet. Such a mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. A conventional toilet 154 is shown mounted on a spacer 156 above the basement floor 14. The spacer 156 is of the same thickness as the flood control assembly 158 and supports the weight of the toilet 154.

The flood control assembly 158 includes three generally flat rectangular members 160, 162 and 164 disposed in an aligned sandwich arrangement. The top and bottom members 160 and 164 are secured together in a pair of parallel planes by means of three

screws

166, 168 and 170. The screws 166 and 170 extend through a pair of aligned corners of the members 160 and 164 adjacent one of the longitudinal edges of the sandwich structure. The remaining screw 168 is disposed adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the sandwich structure approximately midway along its length. The structure includes

tubular spacers

172, 174 and 176 disposed around the

screws

166, 168 and 170, respectively, for maintaining the members 160 and 164 a specific distance apart. The member 160 is formed with a circular aperture 178 adjacent one end which aligns with the passage 180 formed in the toilet 154 and pipe 182 that connects into the sanitary pipe 34. The member 164 is formed with a circular aperture 184 adjacent one end which aligns with the aperture 178.

The third member 162 is rotatably mounted between the members 160 and 164 on a pivot screw 186, which is disposed adjacent the screw 168. In its normal position as shown in FIG. 8, the member 162 is disposed between the members 160 and 164 with its edges aligned with the edges of the members. ln this position, the aperture 188 fomied in one end of the member 162 aligns with the

apertures

178 and 184 such that human sewage is allowed to flow from the passage 180 through the assembly 158 and into the pipe 182.

It will be noted that the comers of the member 162 adjacent the screws 166 and are cutoff along

lines

190 and 192 to enable the member to be rotatably mounted between the members 160 and 162. The member 162 is also cut out at 194 to provide space for the screw 168.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the member 162 may be rotated counter-clockwise about the screw 186 to the position illustrated in FIG. 7. ln this position, the aperture 188 is out of alignment with the

apertures

178 and 184 and a solid portion of the member 162 is disposed between the

apertures

178 and 184. In this position, when water and sewage backs-up into the sanitary pipe 34, it is prevented from backing-up through the basement toilet 154 by the assembly 158, preventing the flooding of the basement. An O-ring 189 id disposed between the members 162 and 164 around the aperture 184 to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

The member 162 may be rotated about the screw 186 by any convenient means, such as a motor and gear arrangement disposed within a housing 196. A bar 198 which has teeth 200 formed therein extends through the housing 196 and engages the gear therein. One of the free ends of the bar 198 is pivotally mounted to a stud 202, which extends perpendicularly outward from one end of one of the longitudinal sides of the member 162. Thus, when the motor within the housing 196 is energized, the gear therein turns to rotate the member 162 either clockwise or counter-clockwise about the screw 186.

The motor within the housing 196 is connected to the switch 144 and its own source of electrical power by means of wires 204 and includes circuitry well known in the art, such as appropriate limit switches, such that when the switch 144 is closed the motor is energized to rotate the member 162 counter-clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 7, preventing the flooding of the basement through the toilet 154. When the switch 144 is opened, the motor is energized to rotate the member 162 clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 8, allowing the toilet 154 to be used normally.

Thus, a flood control system is disclosed wherein a sensing mechanism operates to shut off the seepage drain pipe and the basement toilet during heavy rain and other flood conditions which could cause the main sewer line to baclt-up.

Although I have described but one preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and revisions can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

1. A flood control system for use in a house having a seepage drain system including seepage drain tile disposed adjacent the house foundation and a seepage drain pipe communicating between said drain tile and the main sewer system and a sewage pipe communicating between the house sanitary receptacles and the main sewer system, said flood control system comprising:

a valve assembly having a valve member disposed within said seepage drain pipe and operable to shut off said pipe when said valve assembly is actuated; and

a sensing mechanism connected into said sewage pipe at a point below said drain tile for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer system and connected to said valve assembly to actuate said assembly when sewage backs-up from said main sewer system whereby to prevent sewage from said main sewer system from backing up into said seepage drain system.

2. The flood control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve assembly includes a solenoid connected to said valve member and energized by said sensing mechanism to shut off said drain pipe when sewage backs-up from said main sewer system.

3. The flood control system as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve assembly includes an elongated member having said solenoid secured to one end, said valve member including a tubular member having one end secured to the other end of said elongated member, said tubular member having radially extending apertures formed therethrough and an annular flange extending outward from said tubular member, a

resilient member disposed adjacent said flange for forming a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of said tubular member and the inner surface of said drain pipe, a spherical member disposed adjacent the free end of said tubular member and connected to said solenoid for pulling said spherical member against said end to stop the flow of fluid through said tubular member.

4. The flood control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing mechanism includes an elongated member having a switch secured to one end and the other end extending into said sewage pipe, said switch being connected to a source of electrical power and to said valve assembly to actuate said assembly upon actuation of said switch, a floatable member disposed adjacent the end of said elongated member disposed within said sewage pipe and operably connected to said switch to actuate said switch when pushed upward by sewage backedup into said sewage pipe.

5. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary and seepage drain system including seepage drain tile disposed adjacent the house foundation, a seepage drain pipe communicating between said drain tile and the main sewer line and an access pipe extending from said drain pipe through the basement floor, comprising:

an elongated valve assembly extending through said access pipe into said drain pipe and having a valve disposed within said drain pipe for closing off said drain pipe upon actuation of said valve assembly; and

a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary and seepage drain system for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valve assembly to actuate said assembly when sewage backs-up from said main sewer line.

6. The flood control system as defined in claim 5, wherein said sensing assembly includes a sensing member disposed within said sanitary and seepage drain system at an elevation below said drain tile.

7. The flood control system as defined in claim 5, wherein said valve assembly includes an elongated member extending through said access pipe into said drain pipe, a solenoid secured to the outer end of said elongated member and connected to said sensing assembly for actuation thereby, said valve being secured to the inner end of said elongated member and connected to said solenoid for actuation thereby.

8. The flood control system as defined in claim 5, wherein said sensing assembly includes an elongated member extending into said sanitary and seepage drain system, a switch connected to the upper end of said elongated member and connected to a source of electrical power and said valve assembly for actuating said valve assembly upon actuation of said switch, a floatable member disposed adjacent the lower end of said elongated member and operably connected to said switch to actuate said switch when said member is pushed upwards by backed-up sewage.

9. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary system connected into a main sewer system a drain system connected into said main system, and a basement toilet connected to said sanitary system, said flood control system comprising:

means for automatically closing communication between said sewer system and said drain system upon sensing sewage back-up from said main sewer system,

a valve mechanism disposed between said basement toilet and the basement floor for shutting off said basement toilet to prevent sewage back-up from said sanitary system upon actuation of said mechanism; and

a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary system for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valve mechanism to actuate said valve mechanism upon back-up of sewage from said main sewer line.

10. The flood control system as defined in claim 9, wherein said valve mechanism includes three substantially rectangular planar members disposed in three substantially parallel planes, he first and second members being fixedly secured to one another and each having an aperture formed therein that is aligned with the sewage passage formed in said toilet and a pipe of said sanitary systems, the third member having an aperture formed therein and being pivotally mounted between said first and second member between a first position wherein the aperture of said third member aligns with the apertures of said first and second members and a second position wherein a solid portion of said third member is disposed between the apertures of said first and second members to prevent the back-up of sewage therethrough.

11. The flood control system as defined in claim 9, and including a valve assembly having a valve member disposed within said sanitary system and operable to shut off at least a portion of said sanitary system upon actuation thereof, said valve assembly being connected to said sensing assembly for actuation thereby.

12. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary system connected into a main sewer system and a basement toilet comprising:

a valve mechanism disposed between said basement toilet and the basement floor for shutting off said basement toilet to prevent sewage back-up from said sanitary system upon actuation of said mechanism;

a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary system for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valve mechanism upon back-up of sewage from said main sewer line; said valve mechanism including three substantially rectangular planar members disposed in three substantially parallel planes, the first and second members being fixedly secured to one another and each having an aperture formed therein that is aligned with the sewage passage formed in said toilet and a pipe of said sanitary system, the third member having an aperture formed therein and being pivotally mounted between said first and second member between a first position wherein the aperture of said third member aligns with the apertures of said first and second members and a second position wherein a solid portion of said third member is disposed between the apertures of said first and second members to prevent the back-up of sewage therethrough.

13. The flood control system as defined in claim 12, and including a valve assembly having a valve member disposed within said sanitary system and operable to shut off at least a portion of said sanitary system from said main sewer system upon actuation thereof, said valve assembly being connected to said sensing assembly for actuation thereby.

3, 675,248 Dated July 11, 1972 Patent No.

lnventor(s) Emil G j It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown he1ow:

Column 2, line 18, after l6 and" insert -18 are connected into a seepage drain pipe 20 that is connected through a drain pipe 22 to the main sewer system. As illustrated in FIG. 1,

the

Column 6, line 14, "id" should be is--.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of Novembe r 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETQH1:JR,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestlng Officer Commissionerof Patents 157M P1 PUNK 411mm,

Claims

1. A flood control system for use in a house having a seepage drain system including seepage drain tile disposed adjacent the house foundation and a seepage drain pipe communicating between said drain tile and the main sewer system and a sewage pipe communicating between the house sanitary receptacles and the main sewer system, said flood control system comprising: a valve assembly having a valve member disposed within said seepage drain pipe and operable to shut off said pipe when said valve assembly is actuated; and a sensing mechanism connected into said sewage pipe at a point below said drain tile for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer system and connected to said valve assembly to actuate said assembly when sewage backs-up from said main sewer system whereby to prevent sewage from said main sewer system from backing up into said seepage drain system.

3. The flood control system as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve assembly includes an elongated member having said solenoid secured to one end, said valve member including a tubular member having one end secured to the other end of said elongated member, said tubular member having radially extending apertures formed therethrough and an annular flange extending outward from said tubular member, a resilient member disposed adjacent said flange for forming a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of said tubular member and the inner surface of said drain pipe, a spherical member disposed adjacent the free end of said tubular member and connected to said solenoid for pulling said spherical member against said end to stop the flow of fluid through said tubular member.

4. The flood control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing mechanism includes an elongated member having a switch secured to one end and the other end extending into said sewage pipe, said switch being connected to a source of electrical power and to said valve assembly to actuate said assembly upon actuation of said switch, a floatable member disposed adjacent the end of said elongated member disposed within said sewage pipe and operably connected to said switch to actuate said switch when pushed upward by sewage backed-up into said sewage pipe.

5. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary and seepage drain system including seepage drain tile disposed adjacent the house foundation, a seepage drain pipe communicating between said drain tile and the main sewer line and an access pipe extending from said drain pipe through the basement floor, comprising: an elongated valve assembly extending through said access pipe into said drain pipe and having a valve disposed within said drain pipe for closing off said drain pipe upon actuation of said valve assembly; and a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary and seepage drain system for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valve assembly to actuate said assembly when sewage backs-up from said main sewer line.

9. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary system connected into a main sewer system a drain system connected into said main system, and a basement toilet connected to said sanitary system, said flood control system comprising: means for automatically closing communication between said sewer system and said drain system upon sensing sewage back-up from said main sewer system, a valve mechanism disposed between said basement toilet and the basement floor for shutting off said basement toilet to prevent sewage back-up from said sanitary system upon actuation of said mechanism; and a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary system for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valve mechanism to actuate said valve mechanism upon back-up of sewage from said main sewer line.

10. The flood control system as defined in claim 9, wherein said valve mechanism includes three substantially rectangular planar members disposed in three substantially parallel planes, the first and second members being fixedly secured to one another and each having an aperture formed therein that is aligned with the sewage passage formed in said toilet and a pipe of said sanitary systems, the third member having an aperture formed therein and being pivotally mounted between said first and second member between a first position wherein the aperture of said third member aligns with the apertures of said first and second members and a second position wherein a solid portion of said third member is disposed between the apertures of said first and second members to prevent the back-up of sewage therethrough.

12. A flood control system for use in a house having a sanitary system connected into a main sewer system and a basement toilet comprising: a valve mechanism disposed between said basement toilet and the basement floor for shutting off said basement toilet to prevent sewage back-up from said sanitary system upon actuation of said mechanism; a sensing assembly disposed within said sanitary system for sensing the back-up of sewage from said main sewer line and connected to said valve mechanism upon back-up of sewage from said main sewer line; said valve mechanism including three substantially rectangular planar members disposed in three substantially parallel planes, the first and second members being fixedly secured to one another and each having an aperture formed therein that is aligned with the sewage passage formed in said toilet and a pipe of said sanitary system, the third member having an aperture formed therein and being pivotally mounted between said first and second member between a first position wherein the aperture of said third member aligns with the apertures of said first and second members and a second position wherein a solid portion of said third member is disposed between the apertures of said first and second members to prevent the back-up of sewage therethrough.