STORMWATER FILTERING DEVICE FOR CATCH BASINS

Abstract

A novel removable catch basin filter assembly configured to fit within a catch basin of the type that collects stormwater runoff is disclosed herein. The removable catch basin filter assembly comprises an outer support frame sized to fit on the upper perimeter recessed ledge of the catch basin and underneath the grate, and a filtering system detachably connected to a selectively sized outer support frame. The filtering system comprises a lower filter bag made of a water permeable material (e.g., a geotextile) capable of filtering one or more contaminates contained within stormwater runoff, four receiving tabs positioned at or near the four corners of the inner perimeter edge of the upper perimeter flange of the filtering system, wherein the four receiving tabs are configured to detachably receive the four corners of the outer support frame.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/557,307 filed on Nov. 8, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/593,125 filed on Jan. 31, 2012, all of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to stormwater management devices and, more particularly, to stormwater filtering devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The decontamination of stormwater runoff from various commercial and industrial sites is an important element in our Nation's ongoing efforts to prevent pollution from reaching our lakes and streams. Many commercial and industrial sites use various decontamination filtration systems within their stormwater catch basins. However, certain aspects associated with current designs hinder their effectiveness. Thus, there is a need in the art for new and improved stormwater filtration and decontamination systems.

The government takes an active interest in cleaning up and preventing the pollution of our waters. For example, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act passed in 1980, and later modified in 1986, created a law (found in the United States Code beginning at Section 9601 of Title 42) with which a special tax was thereafter imposed. The funds from this tax are now collected by a Trust Fund (commonly known as the “Superfund”) and are used to carry out a massive cleanup effort, led by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Recently, the EPA has been particularly interested in the prevention of oily and metallic contaminants in stormwater drainage from exiting the premises of certain governmental, industrial and commercial sites that are in close geographic proximity to high-risk waterways, including streams, rivers, freshwater lakes and ponds, as well as saltwater shorelines. The owners of these sites may be held responsible for all water drainage from their facility's grounds, including stormwater runoff that may incidentally be exposed to petroleum-based and/or metallic contaminants.

Exemplary stormwater filtering devices known in the art include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,232 to Arntyr discloses a two stage filtering device for use in water drains and is intended to separate and collect particulate impurities from liquid passing into the drain. The first stage of the device includes a holder ring that is mounted under the drain grating and a basket sitting inside it, which acts as a coarse filter of larger particulates. The draining liquid then passes into the second stage, which is a cone shaped fabric filter that hangs below the ring and provides filtering of finer matter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,714 to Logue discloses a removable filter for buried catch basins. The filter includes a bag located within the catch basin and looped flaps which extend above ground level to aid in removal of the filter. The device is held in place by the heavy drain grate covering the basin. The filter is removed from the catch basin by inserting a lifting rod in each flap loop and hooking lift chains to the rods at the openings of the loops. With no frame or support structure and the grate as the only thing holding the filter in place, it is very easy for this device to fall into the drain when the filter needs to be inspected or changed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,691 to McDermott discloses an apparatus for initial treatment of stormwater in catch basins. The device includes a frame that sits on the lip of the catch basin and has a plurality of troughs that support an absorbent sock and semi-permeable filtering bag, all of which sit at the periphery of the catch basin. The troughs are intended to direct the water into the semi-permeable bags. A disadvantage of this design is that because all filtering takes place at the periphery of the catch basin, in high flow settings such as a storm, the excess water will be too much for the troughs to direct and will flow directly down the drain.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,964 to Strawser discloses a storm water filtering assembly that sits on top of the catch basin and when raised with the manually pilotable support leg, forms a mesh fence around the drain. Because this device surrounds the drain and is above ground, it creates a sizeable obstacle over the drain and cannot be used in roadways or anywhere this could be a problem.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,758 to Schilling discloses a filtering system comprising a frame positioned underneath the drain grate, a fabric filter which hangs from hooks on the frame, and a basket that also connects to the frame via the hooks. The basket is intended to withstand the pressures exerted by waste and water collected within the filter. The filter additionally has overflow outlets to prevent a backup of stormwater during periods of heavy rain. A problem with this device is that there is no way to easily remove or change the filter since it is hung beneath ground level and no handles or method is provided for lifting the filter out of the catch basin.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,757 to Fleishmann discloses a tubular cartridge style storm drain filter. The cartridge is supported within the catch basin by a flange around its top edge and sits within the catch basin. The cartridge includes a series of vertical mesh cylinders with filtering media enclosed between the screens. As water passes from the outermost layer to the central drainage outlet it is sequentially filtered of particulate matter. A handle on the cartridge is used to lift or lower the entire filter into the drain. The complexity of this device makes it less desirable for some consumers.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,095 to Lewis discloses a silt filtration system for use in stormwater catch basins and includes a fixed frame at the top of the catch basin with a grate covering the drain opening, a second base frame that sits within the fixed frame and has ridges to secure rails in place paralleling the edges of the frames. The rails slide into a filter bag, which hangs into the catch basin and filters particulate matter from the stormwater. A drawback of this design is that the rail system used to hold the filter bag in place is susceptible to slipping out of the groves in the frame intended to hold it in place, causing the filter and its contents to be dumped down the drain.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,804 to Page discloses a stormwater catch basin insert that is assembled from a single roll of filtering material and cut to the desired size, and then tied off at the bottom. The resulting filter bag might be a quick fix in a pinch, but is prone to having the bottom tie come undone spilling filtered contents into the drain.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,843 to Sasaki discloses a storm drain sediment filter with a wire frame that sits in just beneath the metal storm grate. The frame is adjustable via overlapping portions that allow the outer dimension of the frame to fit within various catch basin openings. This steel wire frame is inserted into sewn loops on a filter bag that hangs from the frame down into the catch basin. The relatively narrow size of the cone shape fabric filter can cause issues with overflow during periods of high water flow, and because there are no handles or way to pull the filter out of the drain, technicians tend to have a hard time changing or viewing this filter system.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,892 to Shaw discloses a combination filtration and antimicrobial catch basin filter that is in the form of a fabric filtration bag sitting beneath a storm grate. The filtration bag has a plurality of anti-microbial strips hanging from the bottom of the filter bag. The strips are intended to reduce the concentration of bacteria in the catch basin sump. This device lacks a frame or support structure to keep the filtration bag from falling into the drain, and additionally lacks a means of lifting the bag from the basin if maintenance is necessary.

Because each of these known devices has one or more shortcomings (especially in terms of providing a physical restraint while the dog waits for commands), there is still a need in the art for new and improved dog training devices. The present invention fulfills this need and provides for further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a removable catch basin filter assembly preferably configured to fit within a rectangular or square shaped (and sometimes a round) catch basin of the type that collects stormwater runoff (namely, a catch basin having a catch basin opening surrounded by an upper perimeter recessed ledge sized to receive and support a grate). The removable catch basin filter assembly of the present invention comprises: a rectangular or square shaped outer support frame sized to fit on the upper perimeter recessed ledge of the catch basin and underneath the grate; a flexible material (e.g., a geotextile material) detachably connected to the outer support frame, the flexible material comprising an upper perimeter flange attached to a lower filter bag, the upper perimeter flange defining an inner bag opening and an inner perimeter edge having four corners, the upper perimeter flange being attached to the lower filter bag along the inner perimeter edge to thereby define the inner bag opening, the lower filter bag being sized and configured to fit within the catch basin, the lower filter bag being made of a water permeable material capable of filtering one or more contaminates contained within stormwater runoff that collects within and permeates through the lower filter bag; four receiving tabs positioned at or near the four corners of the inner perimeter edge of the upper perimeter flange, the four receiving tabs being configured to detachably receive the four corners of the outer support frame; and a pair of lifting straps attached at or near the four receiving tabs.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those possessing ordinary skill in the art when reference is made to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are intended to be illustrative of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. Like reference numerals have been used to designate like features throughout the several views of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a removable catch basin filter assembly in accordance with the present invention, wherein one of the two lifting straps is shown in a partial view to better illustrate how the detachable outer frame member is detachably connectable/connected into each of the four receiving tabs positioned at the four corners of the inner perimeter edge of the upper perimeter flange associated with the flexible material, and wherein each of the corners includes a series of three tabs aligned in a row.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the removable catch basin filter assembly shown in FIG. 1, but wherein the detachable outer frame member is detachably connected into each of the four receiving tabs.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a removable catch basin filter assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the lower filter bag portion further comprises a filtering media for enhanced filtering of oils, metals, or both from stormwater.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the removable catch basin filter assembly shown in FIG. 3, but wherein the filter assembly is positioned within a catch basin.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a removable catch basin filter assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and illustrates (by way of broken lines) alternative larger detachable outer support frames detachably connected to second and third outer receiving tabs.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an exemplary “pattern” useful in connection with the cutting of a flat permeable material sheet into four separate pieces that are used (i.e., are sewn together) to make an upper perimeter flange portion and a lower bag portion of a filtering system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an outer support frame made from two heavy gauge U-shaped wires welded together in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an outer support frame made from four L-shaped tubes that are telescopically interconnected together in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a removable catch basin filter assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and that shows an oil absorption “pillow” being placed with the filtering system and the filtering system being detached from a detachable outer support frame.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the removable catch basin filter assembly of FIG. 8, but wherein the fabric material is attached to the detachable outer support frame, and wherein one of the four corner tabs is being pulled and tucked underneath the outer support frame, and wherein each of the corners includes a series of two tabs aligned in a row.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a removable catch basin filter assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and that shows a “pillow” being placed within the flanged bowl and the flanged bowl being lowered into a catch basin (with the grate being removed from the catch basin).

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the removable catch basin filter assembly shown in FIG. 10, but wherein the pillow has been placed within the filtering system and the filtering system has been lowered into the catch basin.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a removable catch basin filter assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the lower filter bag portion further comprises a filtering media for enhanced filtering of oils, metals, or both from stormwater.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols or markings typically identify like or corresponding elements, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein.

Accordingly, and in view of the foregoing and referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 14, the present invention is directed to a removable catch basin filter assembly 10 configured to fit within a catch basin 12 (best shown in FIG. 12) of the type that collects and transmits stormwater runoff. The catch basin 12 is generally rectangular or square shaped; however, other geometries such as circular shaped are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. As best shown in FIG. 12, the catch basin 12 defines an upper perimeter recessed ledge 14 sized to receive and support a grate 16.

As shown throughout the drawings, the removable catch basin filter assembly 10 of the present invention comprises two distinct and separable components; namely, (1) a rectangular or square shaped rigid outer support frame 18 that is selectively sized to fit on the upper perimeter recessed ledge 14 of the catch basin 12 and underneath the grate 16, and (2) a flexible material 20 that defines a flanged bowl, wherein the flexible material 20 is detachably connectable to the outer support frame 18 by way of four receiving tabs 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d positioned at or near the four corners 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d of the inner perimeter edge 26 of the upper perimeter flange 22. As best shown in FIG. 7A, the outer support frame 18 may be made from two heavy gauge U-shaped wires welded together in an interlocking and confronting relationship so as to define a square or rectangle. Alternatively, the outer support frame 18 may be made similar to that of a picture frame, or may even be (as best shown in FIG. 7B) made from four L-shaped interconnected tubes telescopically adjustable to one another (so as to define a plurality of different sized squares and/or rectangles adapted to fit a plurality of different sized catch basins). In all embodiments, however, the outer support frame 18 is sized to fit on the upper perimeter recessed ledge 14 of the catch basin 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flexible material 20 may be made from a plurality of geotextile fabric pieces sewn together along their respective edges so as to define an upper perimeter flange 22 attached to a lower filter bag 24. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the junction of the lower filter bag 24 and the upper perimeter flange 22 defines the inner perimeter edge 26 and its four corners 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d. In other words, the upper perimeter flange 22 is preferably attached to the lower filter bag 24 along an inner perimeter edge 26 to thereby define a flanged bowl.

As best shown in FIG. 10, the lower filter bag 24 is sized and configured to fit within the catch basin 12, whereas the upper perimeter flange 22 is in some embodiments mostly external to the catch basin 12 and lies flat on the ground 13. The lower filter bag 24 is preferably made of a water permeable material (e.g., a geotextile fabric) capable of filtering one or more contaminates contained within stormwater runoff (that collects within and permeates through the lower filter bag 24 during a rainfall event). The lower filter bag 24 preferably also contains one or more spillways 23 positioned on its sidewalls to facilitate stormwater overflow. In some embodiments (and as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 12), the lower filter bag 24 contains, or is otherwise lined with, an additional filtering media 25 for extra absorption and enhanced filtering of oils, metals, or both from stormwater. For example, the additional filtering media 25 may be a sodium-based ion exchange resin adapted to remove one or metal contaminants contained within the stormwater. In still further embodiments, a separate pillow 27 containing additional filtering media may be placed within the lower filter bag 24 to further enhance the filtering and removal capabilities (of the removable catch basin filter assembly 10).

In accordance with the present invention, the four receiving tabs 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d are configured to detachably receive the respective four corners 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d of the rigid outer support frame 18. Because the upper perimeter recessed ledge 14 of the catch basin 12 may be of slightly variable size, each of the corners 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d associated with the inner perimeter edge 26 preferably includes a series of two or three tabs aligned in a row 19a-a″, 19b-b″, 19c-c″, 19d-d″. In this configuration, outer support frames 18 of slightly larger dimensions may be selected and connected to the flexible material 20 in a readily detachable manner. In all embodiments, however, the fabric material 20 is attached to the detachable outer support frame 18 by appropriately inserting each corner 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d of the outer support frame 18 into each respective receiving tab 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d of the flexible material 20 (which may be accomplished by appropriate pulling and tucking of the fabric material 20 about the rigid outer support frame 18).

In order to facilitate the insertion and/or removal of the catch basin filter assembly 10 into and/or out of the catch basin 12, a pair of lifting straps 30a, 30b is provided (attached at or near the four receiving tabs 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d). In some embodiments, the pair of lifting straps 30a, 30b crisscross each other (because in this configuration weight distribution during lifting tends to be more balanced resulting in enhanced ergonomics).

For purposes of illustration and not limitation, the following examples more specifically disclose certain exemplary test results associated with a removable catch basin filter assembly made in accordance with the present invention.

EXAMPLES

The effectiveness of separations technology may be determined by the percentage of removed unwanted substance(s) from the solution or slurry. Although current stormwater separation devices may be capable of removing metallic compounds from water, when tested, their removal efficiency rates are invariably low at around 5%-15%. The present invention when having an optional additional filtering media made up of a sodium-based ion exchange membrane has the capacity to remove up to 92% of all metals from stormwater. Organics and suspended solids may also be efficiently removed. The present invention removes metallic compounds found within contaminated stormwater while maintaining concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) and dissolved hydronium ions (pH).

The water treatment inserts may be replaced after approximately three months, however, the frequency may be increased in high-risk pollution areas or when there is an intensive use of possible contaminants. The metallic compound absorption insert removes debris, suspended solids, oil-based products and heavy metals out of stormwater.

The present invention may be installed and maintained by the in-house maintenance crew of an industrial facility, as it is easy to use and includes ergonomic features.

ANALYTICAL TEST RESULTS

Project: Aerospace

Sample: GKN Front Inlet	Lab ID: 259411001
Parameters	Results/Units
200.8 MET ICPMS	Analytical Method: EPA 200.8
Copper	10.4	μg/L
Lead	2.9	μg/L
Nickel	1.5	μg/L
Zinc	39.5	μg/L
HEM, Oil and Grease	Analytical Method: EPA 1664A
Oil and Grease	ND	mg/L
2540D Total Suspended Solids	Analytical Method: SM 2540D
Total Suspended Solids	38.0	mg/L
4500H+ pH, Electrometric	Analytical Method: SM 4500-H + B
pH at 25 Degrees C.	6.1	Std. Units

Project: Aerospace

Sample: GKN Back Alley Outlet	Lab ID: 259411004
Parameters	Results/Units
200.8 MET ICPMS	Analytical Method: EPA 200.8
Copper	10.6	μg/L
Lead	12.2	μg/L
Nickel	0.86	μg/L
Zinc	51.9	μg/L
HEM, Oil and Grease	Analytical Method: EPA 1664A
Oil and Grease	ND	mg/L
2540D Total Suspended Solids	Analytical Method: SM 2540D
Total Suspended Solids	4.0	mg/L
4500H+ pH, Electrometric	Analytical Method: SM 4500-H + B
pH at 25 Degrees C.	6.4	Std. Units

Aerospace—TDS Spike of Collected Storm Water (Listed in Ppb)

Metals	PreFilter Inlet	PostFilter Outlet	% Removal
14 Apr. 2011 Back Alley Extracted
Chromium	881	98	88.9%
Nickel	815	68.9	91.5%
Copper	3,540	616	82.6%
Zinc	39,700	2,910	92.7%
Cadmium	<100	<10
Barium	3,790	305	92.0%
Lead	23,800	2,520	89.4%
25 Apr. 2011 Back Alley
Chromium	14.1	1.4	90.1%
Nickel	12.5	1.4	88.8%
Copper	52	7.57	85.3%
Zinc	897	126	86.0%
Cadmium	<1	<1
Barium	92	7.86	91.5%
Lead	202	16	92.1%
Turbidity	41	8.9	78.3%
	1269.3	160.23	87.4%
27 Apr. 2011 Front Parking
Chromium	2.44	2.89	−18.4%
Nickel	3.7	2.12	42.7%
Copper	14	12.9	4.4%
Zinc	44	58	−33.5%
Cadmium	<1	<1
Barium	16	17.1	−8.2%
Lead	6	5	5.3%
Turbidity	7.9	19	−140.5%
	84.7	98.6	−16.4%

Aerospace—TDS Spike of Collected Slurry Water (Listed in Ppb)

Metals	PreFilter Inlet	PostFilter Outlet	% Removal
26 Oct. 2011 Back Alley
Nickel	3.8	0.86	77.4%
Copper	28	10.6	62.1%
Zinc	367	51.9	85.9%
Lead	60	12.2	79.6%
Totals	459	75.56	83.5%
Oil & Grease	1400	ND	100.0%
TSS	90000	4000	95.6%
pH	6	6.4
26 Oct. 2011 Front Parking Lot
Nickel	1.5	1.1	26.7%
Copper	10	7.5	27.9%
Zinc	40	24	40.5%
Lead	2.9	3.1	−6.9%
Totals	54.3	35.2	35.2%
Oil & Grease	ND	ND	0.0%
TSS	38000	8000	78.9%
pH	6	6.4

While the present invention has been described in the context of the embodiments illustrated and described herein, the invention may be embodied in other specific ways or in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing descriptions, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A removable catch basin filter assembly configured to fit within a rectangular or square shaped catch basin of the type that collects stormwater runoff, the catch basin having an upper perimeter recessed ledge sized to receive and support a grate, comprising:

a rectangular or square shaped outer support frame sized to fit on the upper perimeter recessed ledge of the catch basin and underneath the grate;

a flexible material that defines a flanged bowl detachably connected to the outer support frame, the flexible material comprising an upper perimeter flange attached to a lower filter bag and defining an inner perimeter edge having four corners, the upper perimeter flange being attached to the lower filter bag along the inner perimeter edge to thereby define the flanged bowl, the lower filter bag being sized and configured to fit within the catch basin, the lower filter bag being made of a water permeable material capable of filtering one or more contaminates contained within stormwater runoff that collects within and permeates through the lower filter bag;

at least four receiving tabs positioned at or near the four corners of the inner perimeter edge of the upper perimeter flange, the at least four receiving tabs being configured to detachably receive the four corners of the outer support frame; and

one or more lifting straps attached at or near the four receiving tabs.

2. The removable catch basin filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the lifting straps crisscross each other.

3. The removable catch basin filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the water permeable material is a fabric.

4. The removable catch basin filter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a filtering media contained within the lower filter bag for filtering oils, metals, or both from stormwater.

5. The removable catch basin filter assembly of claim 4 wherein the filtering media is an ion exchange resin.

6. The removable catch basin filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the rectangular or square shaped outer support frame is in the form of first and second pieces of metal wire fastened together.

7. The removable catch basin filter assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more spillways located one a sidewall of the lower filter bag.

8. A removable catch basin filter assembly configured to fit within a catch basin of the type that collects stormwater runoff, the catch basin having a catch basin opening surrounded by an upper perimeter recessed ledge sized to receive and support a grate, comprising:

a support means for supporting a lower filter bag within the catch basin, the support means being sized to fit on the upper perimeter recessed ledge of the catch basin and underneath the grate;

a filtering system means detachably connected to the support means, the filtering system means comprising an upper perimeter flange attached to a lower filter bag, the upper perimeter flange defining an inner bag opening and an inner perimeter edge, the upper perimeter flange being attached to the lower filter bag along the inner perimeter edge to thereby define the inner bag opening, the lower filter bag being sized and configured to fit within the catch basin, the lower filter bag being made of a water permeable material capable of filtering one or more contaminates contained within stormwater runoff that collects within and permeates through the lower filter bag;

a receiving means positioned at or near the inner perimeter edge of the upper perimeter flange, the receiving means being configured to detachably receive the support means; and

a means for lifting the removable catch basin filter assembly into and out of the catch basin.