Fixed Strainer Patents (Class 210/162)
  • Publication number: 20080134587
    Abstract: A gutter protection system for covering a gutter of a structure and for preventing debris from falling into the gutter. The gutter includes a gutter hanger extending from a front of the gutter to a rear of the gutter and having a rear bend. The gutter protection system includes an elongate member sized and shaped to engage the gutter hanger. The elongate member includes a rear margin having a compound bend terminating in an end that is formed to engage the rear bend of the hanger. Embodiments of the system will work on standard gutters without modification of the gutter or gutter hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: James E. Ealer
  • Publication number: 20080127575
    Abstract: A gutter protection system is adapted for covering a gutter and preventing debris from falling into the gutter. The gutter protection system comprises an elongate sheet metal member or panel adapted to engage a portion of the gutter and to cover the gutter. The sheet metal member has a longitudinal axis and a generally smooth top surface interrupted by a plurality of canals and perforations formed therein. Each canal extends down and away from the smooth top surface. The canals are formed from the material of the sheet metal member, each canal formed so that water entering the canal exits through one of the perforations and flows into the gutter below. The canals enable water to move laterally within the canal, thereby increasing the water volume handled by the system without necessarily increasing the number of holes or perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: James E. Ealer
  • Patent number: 7357861
    Abstract: A curb inlet filter for filtering out sediments and the like flowing into a curb inlet, includes a filter body, including a water permeable, substantially rigid, elongated frame having an upstream side and a downstream side thereof, and an elongated filter cover formed around at least one of the sides of the frame. The filter cover is formed of a filtration material to filter out sediments and the like. Further, a weight support attached to a bottom of said filter body for supporting a weight, and a support strap connects the weight support to an upper portion of the filter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: ACF Environmental
    Inventors: David K. Kelley, Gene M. Diloreto, Craig S. Wyler
  • Publication number: 20080053881
    Abstract: A drain trap assembly for separating sediment from wastewater released from kitchen, bath or washroom appliance such as a sink or tub including a conduit with a first upper inlet portion and second upper outlet portion. Between the inlet and outlet is located a lower bend portion. Interrupting the lower bend portion is a third conduit portion including a cup closure for sediment accumulation area out of the wastewater pathway. Affixed to the closure cup and extending generally upwardly within the drain trap assembly and across the wastewater flow is a strainer in the form of at least one plate including through-holes sized to reject particulate sediment and other solids of a predetermined size. A second embodiment of the strainer takes the form of a mass of fibers affixed to the closure and extending across the wastewater flow. Closure removal automatically withdraws the strainer, offering ready access to accumulated sediment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Gurmu
  • Publication number: 20080017561
    Abstract: A combination filtration and anti-microbial trench filter disposed in a pipe of a storm water system such that, in addition to removing hydrocarbon and liquid organic contaminants, the concentration of bacteria in storm water is severely reduced or eradicated. The trench filter comprises an elongated spine member, a plurality of flaps attached to the spine member and retaining anti-microbial agents, and rib members disposed in the flaps and extending radially from the spine member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Mark D. Shaw, J. Tad Heyman, Laurence M. Bierce
  • Patent number: 7310912
    Abstract: A barrier is provided to preclude debris from passing into a rain gutter. The barrier includes a screen supported upon a channel. The channel includes a tab positionable between a roof and shingles upon the roof, and with a lip opposite the tab resting upon a portion of a gutter opposite the roof. The channel includes a recess between the tab and the lip. The recess includes a floor defining a lower plane of the channel. Ribs extend from the floor up to an upper plane of the channel in which the screen is supported. The ribs have sufficient height to remain in contact with the screen. Water is drawn through the screen and along the ribs down to the floor of the recess. Apertures in the floor allow the water to fall down through the channel and into the gutter, while debris is precluded from passing through the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Robert C. Lenney, John Lewis
  • Patent number: 7303687
    Abstract: An insert apparatus for placement in a rain gutter includes a porous insert body including a plurality of randomly arranged filaments attached to one another to form a mat. The insert apparatus is shaped to fit within an inside channel of a rain gutter. Optionally, the apparatus may include a cover panel, comprising a screen, attached to the top of the insert body. Additionally, the apparatus may include a panel provided with holes therethrough, covering the screen panel. In use, the insert apparatus is placed inside of the gutter channel so as to substantially fill part of the channel, blocking entry of debris into the gutter. When placed in the gutter channel, the insert apparatus substantially prevents foreign matter such as leaves, twigs, pine needles, etc, from collecting in the channel. The insert apparatus may be configured to leave an open flow path therebelow when installed in the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventors: Brian M Groth, Frank R Groth
  • Patent number: 7300590
    Abstract: A drainage system for separating oil and debris from water run-off wherein a chamber in the path of flow of the run-off includes a downwardly inclined screen and a debris-collecting fence beneath the screen to maintain separation between the debris and water; and an organic absorber may be positioned in the path of flow of the water beneath the screen to remove organic oils from the run-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventors: Robert K. Weir, Steve E. Esmond, Larry Quinn
  • Patent number: 7294256
    Abstract: A storm water filter system for filtering storm water being fed into an in-ground well includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, with the outlet being connected to an in-ground recharge well. A plurality of open chambers are formed in the housing. An inlet filter box has an open end located in the housing and positioned with the open end facing the housing inlet. An outlet screen filter is positioned over the outlet for capturing debris from water entering the outlet and has a bypass for water to pass when the filter becomes partially blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventors: Henry Happel, Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 7282142
    Abstract: A fluid strainer device is disclosed. The device includes a housing which defines an open chamber, the chamber having both at least one fluid input port and at least one fluid outlet port. A plurality of spaced strainer baskets are disposed within the chamber. Each basket has a pair of spaced perforated side panels, a perforated rear panel, a perforated top panel and an open front portion in fluid communication with the chamber fluid input port. Finally, each strainer basket is aligned within the chamber for fluid flow from the chamber input port into the basket's open front portion and out through the perforations thereof to filter debris from the fluid while preventing substantial fluid pressure drop between the input and outlet ports substantially independent of debris buildup within the baskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Wayne J. Kraft
  • Patent number: 7276156
    Abstract: A storm drain filter is provided for filtering trash and debris from a stream of water passing through a storm drain. The storm drain filter comprises a panel having a multiplicity of openings formed therein and is adapted to mount adjacent to a sidewall of a storm drain such that the filter lies adjacent an outlet through which water passing from the storm drain flows. When installed in a storm drain, the filter fits relatively close to the outlet and the adjacent sidewall and permits water to flow through the openings thereof, but filters trash and debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventors: Tony Mason Lockerman, Houston Linwood Crumpler, John Mills Crumpler
  • Patent number: 7273545
    Abstract: A water intake open cavity drum for ponds, which includes a drum body with a lower portion defining a cavity and an upper portion defining a cavity in fluid communication with the lower portion cavity but having less volume than that of the lower portion. The drum includes a plurality of stabilizing feet, at least one water inlet disposed in the lower portion, a water outlet disposed from the upper portion, and a venturi interposed between the water inlet and water outlet. Filtering media is disposed in the cavity, and when a pump is applied to the water outlet, a vortex is formed in the drum body interior which rapidly circulates water throughout the filtering media before it passes out the water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Bruce S. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 7270747
    Abstract: An in-line storm water drain system and a filter basket for a storm water drain system are provided in which the storm water drain system has a housing having an inlet and outlet thereinto and interior walls forming a plurality of chambers therein. The filter basket has a rigid frame and a plurality of screened sides and is attached to the interior walls. The filter basket has a pair of top screen filter doors and a pair of bottom screen filter doors to allow entry into the filter basket and on through to the bottom of the filter basket for cleaning the chambers. An inlet feed chute is attached to the filter basket open end and also has a screen bottom door and directs water from the housing inlet to and through the filter basket while collecting debris in the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Henry Happel, Thomas H. Happel
  • Patent number: 7267763
    Abstract: A water intake screen with a filter panel includes a frame adapted to be connected to the water intake and a circular filter panel disposed transversely in an opening of the frame, to which it is fastened. The panel includes a wheel extending in a substantially vertical plane between a lower position and an upper position and having radial retaining members on the upstream side of the panel and attached thereto, an aspiration device on the upstream side of the retaining members, and elements for driving the panel and/or aspiration device with a rotary relative movement so as to generate locally through the panel a successive counterflow at each retaining member in accordance with the rotary relative movement in order to take up successively debris and particles retained thereby and to direct them through an evacuation pipe adapted to evacuate the debris and particles to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: E. Beaudrey et Cie
    Inventor: Philip Jackson
  • Patent number: 7208081
    Abstract: The gutter foam filter elements are generally triangular, four-foot lengths of flexible plastic open-cell foam material placed in and extending the full length of a conventional “K” type or similar roof gutter. The foam filter elements may be inserted within the gutter below gutter spikes. The foam material is an open-pore polyether foam of 10–20 cells per square inch which allows rainwater to travel through the filter while excluding leaves. The foam is generally in the form of a right triangle and so disposed in the gutter as to have one side extending along the back of the gutter and the other side of the triangle spanning the open space across the upper open portion of the gutter. The sloped wall defines a void in the lower front portion of the gutter for rainwater flow to a downspout. The lower corner of the element is truncated forming a lower support wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Robert W. Jones
  • Patent number: 7201842
    Abstract: A screened gravity-fed water funnel or water funnel kit may be characterized in one aspect as including a substantially conically-shaped water-permeable mesh screen, a funnel releasably mounted or mountable to, and in fluid cooperation with, the screen, and a flexible tether mounted or mountable to the screen. An anchor or other means for embedding an upstream end of the tether immobile in the stream is mounted or mountable to the tether, opposite to the screen. That is, the anchor is mounted or mountable at an upstream end of the tether and an upstream narrow end of the screen is mounted or mountable to a downstream end of the tether, and wherein an upstream wide-end of the funnel is mounted to a downstream wide-end of the screen, and wherein a hose coupler is mounted or mountable to a downstream narrow end of the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: W. John Kiefer
  • Patent number: 7200969
    Abstract: A non-woven mesh guard which can be inserted into a downspout opening in a rain gutter in order to prevent debris from entering the downspout is provided. The non-woven mesh includes a large free area to allow for the flow of water therethrough while preventing debris from entering the downspout. Anchor pins are installed in the guard to prevent it from being forced too far down into the downspout opening. Alternatively, the non-woven material may be formed such that it includes an enlarged top portion which rests in the base of the gutter over the downspout opening while a reduced size portion is inserted into the downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Martin J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 7198714
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gutter screen attachment and a ridged filter assembly for minimizing water film runoff and debris collection adjacent a screened gutter. The screen attachment comprises a superior breaker edge, an inferior breaker edge, and a screen-receiving region. The superior breaker edge extends upwardly opposite the inferior breaker edge and is designed to break the water tension of a water film formed upon the gutter screen. The ridged filter assembly comprises a filter support grid, a filter screen and a ridge-forming member sandwiched between the filter support grid and the filter screen. The filter screen is form fit to the underlying structures and the ridge-forming member thus forms a water tension straining ridge upon the filter screen. The superior breaker edge and the filter screen ridge function to allow water to permeate through the gutter screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Kazimierz Swistun
  • Patent number: 7163635
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated belowground vault with filter catch basin, that allows the runoff water to enter into a belowground two-part vault passing through a commercially available replaceable filter before being transferred out to the sewer, flood control system or out through a French drain consisting of a cavity below the device that is filled with drain gravel. A layer of filter cloth can optionally be placed over the drain gravel. This device will be manufactured in variety of sizes and shapes and made from several different materials. The device has the unique ability of being capable of filtering low flow water runoff while allowing high volume to pass through with the added benefit of not retaining water that can become a mosquito breeding ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: James Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7153417
    Abstract: A storm water filter system apparatus includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and has a floating filter basket therein having an open end portion. A scoop formed on the front end of the filter basket is positioned to face the inlet to the housing. The filter basket has a least one float attached thereto in a position to float the filter basket in water in the housing to position the filter basket open end and scoop in front of the housing inlet and at least partially above the water level in the housing to capture floating debris from the entering storm water so that the floating filter basket adjusts for varying water levels in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Henry Happel
  • Patent number: 7141158
    Abstract: A debris separating apparatus for use in downspout below an eaves trough comprises a main housing having a water and debris inlet, a water outlet, and a debris outlet. A debris deflector mounted within the main housing between the water and debris inlet and the water outlet is sloped downwardly towards the debris outlet and has a plurality of parallel slots that permit water to pass from the water and debris inlet to the water outlet. A rotatable debris ejecting member has outwardly projecting fingers and water receiving receptacles mounted on the fingers. The debris ejecting member is rotatably mounted within the main housing beneath the debris deflector such that the outwardly projecting fingers project through the slots in the debris deflector and such that the outwardly projecting fingers travel along the slots in the debris deflector as the debris ejecting member rotates, to thereby eject debris accumulated on the top of the debris deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas K. Hong
  • Patent number: 7138048
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulates from a wastewater stream includes a chamber having a wastewater inlet and wastewater outlet which promotes a generally horizontal wastewater flow. A grating is provided in the chamber between the wastewater inlet and the wastewater outlet having a screen size for preventing the passage of particulates having greater than the select effective diameter from the wastewater inlet into the wastewater outlet. The grating is vertically inclined relative to the direction of the wastewater flow. A baffle within the chamber is configured to cooperate with the grating to generate a vortex in the wastewater having a velocity component parallel to the face of the grating which urges particles trapped by the grating along the grating toward a surface of the wastewater to suspend particles in the wastewater as the wastewater flows between the wastewater inlet and the wastewater outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly O'Connor, Laurens van der Tak, Albert M. Wollmann
  • Patent number: 7128832
    Abstract: A filter pit is disclosed. The pit has an inlet and an outlet adjacent a base of the pit. A primary, a secondary and a tertiary filter are located between the inlet and outlet and the tertiary filter is supported above the base and is able to dry out when the flow of water through the pit ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Rodney George Wade
  • Patent number: 7096627
    Abstract: A rain head is disclosed having three filters through which water entering an inlet to the rain head must pass before passing out through an outlet from the rain head. The filters remove successively smaller particles from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Rodney George Wade
  • Patent number: 7094337
    Abstract: An overflow chamber (2) is provided for use in a combined sewer overflow. An inlet (12) and an outlet (14) open into the chamber (2) below a screen (20), and an overflow outlet (15) opens into the chamber above the screen. Baffles (26) are provided underneath the screen (20) across the general flow of storm water. In storm conditions, the storm water in the chamber (2) will reach the level of the screen (20), which traps aesthetically offensive material and gross solids, leaving the water to flow through the screen (20) to the overflow outlet (15). The baffles (26) circulate the storm water, and this dislodges material accumulated on the underside of the screen (20) and so helps to prevent blinding of the screen (20) in storm conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro International PLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Williams, Paul Lecornu, Mark D. James, Robert Y. G. Andoh, Michael G Faram
  • Patent number: 7083721
    Abstract: A hydraulic-permeation type environmental water-runoff filtration-system applicable to street curb-inlet type drainage-chambers, which generally cooperatively interconnect with street and parking-lot drains. The BLUEBAY-BMP™ pollution-trap provides advantage of community-tailored filtering stages, the preferred embodiment seting forth a convenient user-friendly prefabricated-kit assembly employing a basic build-in-place containment-housing which can be readily adapted to the studied needs of a given community,—without incuring alteration of existing sewer-stormdrains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventors: Stewart D. McClure, Ivan R. Fox
  • Patent number: 7056433
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gutter screen attachment for minimizing water film runoff and debris collection adjacent a screened gutter. The screen attachment comprises a superior breaker edge, an inferior breaker edge, and a screen-receiving region. The screen-receiving region comprises an edge-receiving fold that accepts the gutter-engaging edge of a gutter screen. The superior breaker edge extends upwardly opposite the inferior breaker edge and is designed to break the water tension of a water film formed upon the gutter screen. The inferior breaker edge is designed to prevent water leakage between the screen attachment and the gutter. The superior breaker edge is of minimized height so as to allow bulky debris to translate over the superior breaker edge. It is thus contemplated that the superior breaker edge functions to allow water to more properly permeate through the gutter screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Kazimierz Swistun
  • Patent number: 7028849
    Abstract: Screen apparatus comprising a screen (10) which allows fluid to pass through it whilst providing a barrier to non-fluid matter in the fluid. A jet outlet (22) is arranged to direct a jet of fluid across that side of the screen (10) on which such matter would otherwise tend to collect when the apparatus is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: CSO Technik Limited
    Inventor: Colin Froud
  • Patent number: 7022243
    Abstract: A separation tank having an inlet and an outlet and forming a low flow path and a high flow path, both conveying water from the inlet to the outlet. At normal, low flows, the water enters the inlet and passes through the low flow path having treatment chambers to remove, respectively, heavy materials and floatable materials. At high flows such as with heavy storm runoff, water exceeding a predetermined flow rate is conveyed from the low flow path into the high flow path where there are baffles to treat the water to remove both heavy materials and floatable materials. In optional embodiments, there is a filter/recharge chamber that may contain a filter and/or a groundwater conveyance system such that filtered or unfiltered water can be discharged from the low flow path through a groundwater conveyance system to groundwater, to the normal outlet, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Graham Bryant
  • Patent number: 6994783
    Abstract: A chamber having an inlet for receiving polluted storm-water runoff and an outlet for the storm water to flow out. Within the chamber is a screen that is elevated for separating and suspending miscellaneous debris such as vegetative matter, paper, and plastic, and that extends substantially all the way across the chamber to laterally disperse the storm water in the chamber. In alternative embodiments, there are included one or more baffles, a collection reservoir, and/or a pivotal filter for further dispersing, detaining, and/or filtering the storm water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventors: Clark Joseph Use, John Sebastian Moll
  • Patent number: 6955759
    Abstract: A structure for diverting fish away from water intakes comprises a porous dike having a bottom portion, a central portion, and a top portion, the top portion preferably being submerged a short distance below the surface, and the central portion having flow passages. In a preferred embodiment, the top and bottom portions comprise solid blocks and the flow passages in the central portion are lined with zebra mussel resistant sleeves to minimize clogging. Preferably the sleeve can be readily replaced as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kinectrics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Patrick, Henry E. Kowalyk, Otto Herrmann
  • Patent number: 6953528
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an inertial filtering device for filtering riverbed silt in a contained underwater environment comprising an enclosure to be placed underwater on a riverbed. The enclosure has at least one entrance opening located in the enclosure for allowing river water carrying riverbed silt to flow into the entrance opening. A chute for directing the river water upwards through the enclosure is also included in the enclosure. An exit opening is located at the top of the enclosure for exiting the river water. A hole is located in the chute for transiting particulate matter from the slit via gravity to the bottom of the enclosure while allowing the river water to proceed up the chute to the exit opening; and a suction device is connected to the bottom of the enclosure for suctioning out any matter collected in the bottom of the enclosure including PCBs or other pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Floyd E. Nesfield
  • Patent number: 6953524
    Abstract: A screen assembly in which the screen (10) is in the form of an inverted semi-circular trough the foul flow (A) to be screened approaching the underside of the screen so that debris which is filtered falls away from the screen by gravity so minimising blockages and “blinding” of the screen. A helical sweeper (20) is provided to minimise adherence to the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro International PLC
    Inventors: Barrie Christopher Woodbridge, Kevin Donald Cottam
  • Patent number: 6932911
    Abstract: An insert apparatus for placement in a rain gutter includes a porous insert body including a plurality of randomly arranged filaments attached to one another to form a mat. The insert apparatus is shaped to fit within an inside channel of a rain gutter. Optionally, the apparatus may include a cover panel, comprising a screen, attached to the top of the insert body. In use, the insert apparatus is placed inside of the gutter channel so as to substantially fill part of the channel, and to block entry of debris into the gutter. When placed in the gutter channel, the insert apparatus substantially prevents foreign matter such as leaves, twigs, pine needles, etc, from collecting in the channel. The insert apparatus may be configured to leave an open flow path therebelow when installed in the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventors: Brian M. Groth, Frank R. Groth
  • Patent number: 6932901
    Abstract: A gutter system is described which combines a leaf screen, rain gutter, drip edge and soffit vent into a unitary, molded plastic structure. The gutter system forms the fascia along a roof eaves. The gutter fascia can be molded with a wood grained texture or left smooth, and can be molded of any desired color. Because it is molded from a flexible, plastic material, the gutter can be folded flat, allowing multiple sections to be stacked and packed into a relatively small shipping carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Howard Keith Crosby
  • Patent number: 6896820
    Abstract: An automatic screening apparatus for removing debris from a liquid stream includes a drive mechanism mounted to a support frame. A screen connects to the support frame and collects debris while allowing the liquid to flow through. The drive mechanism positions and interchangeably couples to a first carriage assembly and a second carriage assembly. The first carriage assembly includes a rake that removes the collected debris from the screen. The second carriage assembly includes a bucket that removes the debris collected from the rake. A plunger directs the debris from the rake into the bucket. At selected intervals, the drive mechanism decouples from the first carriage assembly and couples to the second carriage assembly, whereupon the second carriage assembly is positioned to dump the bucket. After dumping the bucket, the drive shaft is decoupled from the second carriage assembly and coupled to the first carriage assembly, whereupon the cycle is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Enviro-Care Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Mattox
  • Patent number: 6875345
    Abstract: In previous netting systems using disposable netting frames, the wooden frame may become jammed in the diverter frame. The present invention provides a rigid frame for installing and holding the wooden netting frame in the diverter frame and which releases the wooden frame for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Peter J. Hannah
  • Patent number: 6869524
    Abstract: A screen system used in fluid channels has a scraper for removing debris from bars in a bar screenfield. The scraper is mounted to a top of a screen system. The scraper is lifted by a rake while simultaneously removing debris from the rake. Once the rake clears the scraper, the scraper returns to an original position. The scraper has arms that have wear plates with curvatures selected to avoid contact with the teeth. The scraper can have a cushioning device to lessen the impact of the scraper as it returns to a rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Headworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Seidl
  • Patent number: 6866153
    Abstract: A disposable net assembly is provided for a trap for collecting floatable debris in a waterway or combined sewer system. The net assembly includes a knitted bag-shaped mesh net having a frame surrounding the mouth of the net with the net secured around its rim to the frame. The net may be formed of an inner layer and an outer layer of mesh with the openings of the inner layer being substantially larger than the openings of the outer layer. The frame may be formed of a plastic molded material having side members tapered in the vertical direction to facilitate the changing of the netting assemblies and tapered in the downstream direction to lock into place under the force of the flow. Several embodiments of the frame members have projections thereon which cooperate with a clamping element to hold the net to the frame. Some embodiments of the members have parts that lock together with a post and hole construction while others employ a tension band to clamp the net to the projections on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fresh Creek Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Turner, Jr., Robert Kircher, Dennis R. Moran, James P. Dugan
  • Publication number: 20040262207
    Abstract: A gutter system is described which combines a leaf screen, rain gutter, drip edge and soffit vent into a unitary, molded plastic structure. The gutter system forms the fascia along a roof eaves. The gutter fascia can be molded with a wood grained texture or left smooth, and can be molded of any desired color. Because it is molded from a flexible, plastic material, the gutter can be folded flat, allowing multiple sections to be stacked and packed into a relatively small shipping carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Howard Keith Crosby
  • Publication number: 20040245159
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for removing waste material from a fluid flowing in a channel. This system may incorporate the use of a trap for collecting the waste material while allowing the fluid to pass; a rake for removing the waste material away from the trap; a drive assembly for moving the rake to remove the waste material; a prime mover for operate the drive assembly; and a variable speed controller configured for operating the prime mover over a variable range of speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: ONDEO DEGREMONT, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Rybar, Roger D. Hamill
  • Patent number: 6824677
    Abstract: A trap for a curbside drain opening to exclude solids of excessive size from the drain and trap them for analysis and recovery. The trap has a face which will open at high rates of water flow to avert flooding that might be or caused by plugging the drain opening. A filter is optionally provided to remove selected pollutants from the water stream for recovery and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Antonio Martinez
  • Patent number: 6811708
    Abstract: An adjustable curb guard filter apparatus for filtering liquid flowing into a curbside drain and method for deploying the same. In accordance with one embodiment, the adjustable curb guard filter apparatus includes a filter sheet disposed between an upper and a lower of a pair of support bar members. The curb guard filter apparatus is deployed onto the curbside drain such that the ends of each of the support bar members exert an outwardly directed pressure against the inner lateral surfaces of the curbside drain enabling the filter sheet to form a substantially complete seal thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the lower end of the filter sheet is wrapped in a scroll-like manner around the lower support bar member such that when installed onto the curbside drain, the wrapped lower support bar member simultaneously provides dam and liquid filtration functionality along the bottom edge of the curbside drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: UltraTech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shaw, J. Tad Heyman, Laurence M. Bierce
  • Publication number: 20040200781
    Abstract: A simple coupling device which diverts water from a gutter to a garden hose, comprising a gutter sleeve, water channel and threaded hose connector. Excess water is expelled through an overflow outlet which also allows for filter screen access and debris removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Shaw, Michael W. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6790345
    Abstract: An underwater filtration operator which can be suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged to discharge impurities in the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the operator includes a housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser or directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Ronney L. Broussard
  • Patent number: 6780311
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a water filter inlet in a body of water at a level between the bottom and the surface thereof and in such position as to enable water to enter a conduit via the filter inlet and pass through a conduit to a site on land. The filter inlet support has a frame which occupies an upright position and is provided with stabilizers which prevent movement of the support due to currents and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas L. Haley
  • Patent number: 6764596
    Abstract: A sediment filtering apparatus and a method for removing sediment from a waterway. One or more collector assemblies are secured to a river bottom and have a leading, ramp surface facing upstream and over which the water flows. As the water/sediment mixture passes the apex of the collector, the trailing edge drops off rapidly thereby reducing the stream velocity and allowing the sediment to settle from the flow. The sediment then collects on the downstream side of the collector and via one or more openings reaches an internal cavity. A suction pipe is placed under negative pressure and draws the water/sediment mixture to a filtering apparatus which then returns filtered water to the waterway. The sediment and debris filtered therefrom is then easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Randall L. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6719912
    Abstract: A screen system used in fluid channels has emergency discharge doors. The emergency discharge doors are located within the debris plate of the bar screen system and can be opened, as needed, to prevent fluid from overflowing should the grid screen become obstructed. The emergency discharge doors are located within rectangular openings in the debris plate in which the doors sit flush with the debris plate when closed. The emergency discharge doors can be opened manually, when needed, with handles that are preferably located at the top of the screen system. Lifting the handles releases the locking pins that keep the doors in place, allowing the doors to open freely in response to the fluid pressure on the upstream side of the screen system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Headworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Seidl
  • Publication number: 20040065601
    Abstract: A trap for a curbside drain opening to exclude solids of excessive size from the drain and trap them for analysis and recovery. The trap has a face which will open at high rates of water flow to avert flooding that might be or caused by plugging the drain opening. A filter is optionally provided to remove selected pollutants from the water stream for recovery and analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Antonio Martinez
  • Patent number: 6712959
    Abstract: A submerged intake filter assembly comprising a cylindrical screen, a first end plate, a second end plate, a primary flow modifier pipe, and a plurality of secondary flow modifier pipes. The primary flow modifier pipe is eccentric with the cylindrical screen at the first end plate. The secondary flow modifier pipes are positioned to lie in an annular space between the primary flow modifier pipe and the cylindrical screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Michael D. Appel, Richard C. Maxson