Removable Patents (Class 405/90)
  • Patent number: 11047124
    Abstract: A system and method for restoring wetland habitats and providing a platform on which indigenous and transplanted plant species can thrive. Water from a source, such as, stormwater run-off is captured and filtered through a combination of sand berms and riffle weirs to a series of aquatic beds, thus creating nutrient-rich environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Keith R. Underwood
  • Patent number: 10731307
    Abstract: A system for flood control that includes: a water sensor; a control panel, where the water sensor is connected to the control panel; and a convertible sea wall, where the convertible sea wall is adapted to toggle between an extended position and a retracted position. The system for flood control may further include a steel base structure, wherein the steel base structure houses the convertible sea wall when the convertible sea wall is in a retracted position. The steel base structure further includes hydraulic lifts within the steel base structure that lift and extend the convertible sea wall into the extended position and allows for the retraction of the sea wall to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Stewart
  • Patent number: 9670633
    Abstract: A protective flood barrier to protect a building and/or utility installation from flood waters that includes a continuous, water-tight base foundation surrounding and positioned in close proximity of the building; a plurality of removable structural stands adapted for placement on the base foundation wherein the structural stands have a proximal end situated adjacent the base foundation and a distal end; a sealing liner for placement on the structural stand; and a base seal for sealing the sealing liner to the base foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: T3 INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Thieding
  • Patent number: 8974144
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable by articulating wheels in tracks, over an entry port to a storm water structure. Locking the door can be accomplished by rotating bolts that are attached to cams. Rotating the bolts causes the cams to press the door against the tracks. Sealing strips can be compressed between door edges and the track to prevent water from passing around the door. A vacuum truck can remove water and debris from the vault/structure. Other versions allow doors to move downward to allow water to overflow the door. The door can slide upward so water can flow underneath. A door in door version has a secondary door slide up and down in tracks in a main door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Tom Happel
  • Patent number: 8651767
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable by articulating wheels in tracks, over an entry port to a storm water structure. Locking the door can be accomplished by rotating bolts that are attached to cams. Rotating the bolts causes the cams to press the door against the tracks. Sealing strips can be compressed between door edges and the track to prevent water from passing around the door. A vacuum truck can remove water and debris from the vault/structure. Other versions allow doors to move downward to allow water to overflow the door. The door can slide upward so water can flow underneath. A door in door version has a secondary door slide up and down in tracks in a main door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Tom Happel
  • Patent number: 8622652
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of moving a door, over a water conveyances. Locking the door can be by rotating bolt heads attached to cams. Rotating heads causes cams to press the door against tracks. A strip can be compressed between the door and track to prevent flow. Slidable doors can move to allow water overflow. The door can slide so water can flow underneath. A secondary door can slide within an opening in a door. A half panel can have an upper opening located in a wall, to close or allow water flow. A channel can have grooves in sides of an opening, where a door can slide to different heights to close or allow flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Tom Happel
  • Patent number: 8425150
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable by articulating wheels in tracks, over an entry port to a storm water structure. Locking the door can be accomplished by rotating bolt heads that are attached to cams. Rotating the heads causes cams to press the door against the tracks. Sealing strips can be compressed between door edges and the track to prevent water from passing around the door. A vacuum truck can remove water and debris from the vault/structure. Other versions allow doors to move downward to allow water to overflow the door. The door can slide upward so water can flow underneath. A door in door version has a secondary door slide up and down in tracks in a main door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Tom Happel
  • Patent number: 8393827
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods of locking and unlocking a door that is slidable through tracks, over an entry port to a storm water type vault or storm water structure. Locking the door in place can be accomplished by rotating upwardly protruding bolt type heads that are fixably attached to cams. Rotating the bolt type heads causes the cams to press the door against one side of the tracks. An elongated sealing strip can be compressed between the door edges and the one side of the track and seal and prevent water from passing about the sides of the door. Alternatively, removable wedges can be used to compress door edges in place. Furthermore, a hinged pressure relief door can be attached over a small opening in the slidable door. Opening the small pressure relief door by an elongated tool allows for water on both sides of the sliding door to equalize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Tom Happel
  • Patent number: 7281879
    Abstract: A portable flood-barrier-system can include a portable block of substantial mass; and a deflatable bladder, a first portion of which is disposed on a substrate; the block being disposed at least partly on the first portion of the bladder so as to releasably compress the first portion between the block and the substrate and so releasably hold the first portion therebetween due to friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Mentor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Min Cho, Philip Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7033112
    Abstract: Device for retaining water comprising a foundation, a retaining wall movably attached to the foundation and a shore movably, particularly hingingly, attached to the foundation, in which the shore and the retaining wall are movably, particularly hingingly, attached to each other, and in which the retaining wall is provided with at least an internal longitudinal hinge about which the retaining wall can be turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Cornelis Elizabeth Rijlaarsdam
  • Patent number: 6840711
    Abstract: A modular flood control panel is provided having a base and supporting “A”-frame structure. The base locks into the ground, or supporting wall of sandbags, with a series of four adjustable angle stakes per each panel. The invention folds flat when not in use, for storage and for transportation on a truck to flood water areas. The panels are joined together with the use of a five inch wide joining slat that slides down into a channel on each side of each panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventors: Ross R. Martinez, Renate H. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6837655
    Abstract: A submersible canal bypass is used to bypass the flow around a distinct section of an earthen canal for lining. The canal bypass is placed within the canal and uses a plurality of pipelines and a plurality of bulkheads assembled from portable modular sections. The headgates on the portable modular sections are so arranged along the bulkhead to divert the flow of water through bypass pipelines so as to isolate a section of the canal during lining activities and return the flow of water to the lined canal after lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Robert A. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20040028483
    Abstract: A submersible canal bypass is used to bypass the flow around a distinct section of an earthen canal for lining. The canal bypass is placed within the canal and uses a plurality of pipelines and a plurality of bulkheads assembled from portable modular sections. The headgates on the portable modular sections are so arranged along the bulkhead to divert the flow of water through bypass pipelines so as to isolate a section of the canal during lining activities and return the flow of water to the lined canal after lining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Robert A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6604889
    Abstract: A sluice-gate wall thimble has a support stem (1, 12) which covers an embedment side of a sluice-gate nut (2) and is fixable to a wall anchor (5, 11). The sluice-gate nut is inside threaded and fixable to an embedment side (16) of a predetermined sluice-gate wall (7) with an axis of the sluice-gate nut being in line concentrically with an axis of a wall-bolt aperture (8) on the predetermined sluice-gate wall. A plurality of the support stems on a plurality of the sluice-gate nuts in line with a plurality of the wall-bolt apertures and fixed to at least one wall anchor are employed first to prevent encroachment of fluid concrete (3) or other foundation material onto inside-diameter threading (4) of the plurality of sluice-gate nuts during construction of a predetermined sluice gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wood, Colin W. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20030082007
    Abstract: An assembled sluice gate for flood-prevention and water-blocking includes two wall posts, a plurality of sluice gates and a connection plate, wherein the two wall posts respectively and fitly mount with a left and a right grooved boards on a doorframe and with the connected sluice gates; the connection plate is fixed between two sluice gates to form the entire body into a piece of vertical door wall which is covered by a top cover at the upper aspect thereof. A plurality of tight retaining belts fasten the top cover and a fixed groove at the lower portion of the doorframe thereby enabling the door wall to block the water and resist a huge water pressure so as to prevent the water from flowing into the houses or the basements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Ping-Chih Liou
  • Patent number: 6543968
    Abstract: A submersible canal bypass is used to successively bypass the flow around distinct sections of an earthen canal for lining. The canal bypass is placed within the canal and uses a plurality of pipelines and a plurality of bulkheads assembled from portable modular sections. The headgates on the portable modular sections are so arranged along the bulkhead to divert the flow of water through bypass pipelines so as to isolate a section of the canal during lining activities and return the flow of water to the lined canal after lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6540437
    Abstract: An end dam for a generally U-shaped moisture management channel comprising: a vertical wall having a front and a rear surface and a base edge; a first flange extending at a right angle from the rear surface in the area of the vertical wall base edge, integrally formed therewith, and having a distal edge and a base edge; and a second flange having a base edge extending from and integrally formed with the rear wall, spaced apart from the first flange and extending angularly away from the rear surface toward said first flange distal edge to define a slot between the first and second flanges. The first and second flanges of the end dam frictionally engage the base or bottom of a generally U-shaped moisture management channel causing the vertical wall to abut the sidewalls of such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Plastic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Larson
  • Patent number: 6409427
    Abstract: A soil erosion collector that fits in a standard two foot drainage ditch. It is preferably formed of pre-cast reinforced concrete. Its purpose is to separate eroded soil in storm run off. The soil Erosion Collector is designed to create a ponding effect, which will slow the flow of water in a ditch, allowing eroded soil and debris to settle. The invention comprises a body with solid intersecting lower sides which meet at an angle to fit into the drainage ditch. A dam connects the sides, with the top of the dam forming a “V” shaped spillway at a lowered central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Walter S. Maxwell, III
  • Patent number: 6287051
    Abstract: A fixable-seal sluice gate has a valve vise (18, 19, 25, 26, 31, 32) that forces a sluice-gate valve uniformly and tightly in sealing-surface contact with a domed seal ring (4) that is fixable conveniently and removably intermediate a sluice-gate plate (3) and a sluice-gate wall (1) of a sluice-gate flange that encompasses a valve side of a sluice-gate aperture (2). A plate locator on the valve vice sets the sluice-gate plate in predetermined sealing-contact position for select structure of the fixable-seal sluice gate. The domed seal ring is a plastic material such as Hypalon® having predetermined toughness to resist particle embedment in combination with having predetermined softness for select uses and objectives. A dome flange (5, 6) on one or both sides of a base of the domed seal ring is bracketed removably to optionally the sluice-gate wall or the sluice-gate plate for rigid, reliable, long-enduring and yet quick and convenient attachment and detachment of the domed seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wood, Colin W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6213683
    Abstract: A flexible film, of which a flexible film weir is composed, has a two-dimensional configuration when expanded, and the total length of the periphery of the flexible film is set longer than the mounting length of mounting faces (a river bed and faces of slopes). Weights are attached on the flexible film at appropriate intervals. Portions left redundant when the flexible film is mounted on the mounting faces are folded and fixed at toes of the slopes in such a way that they are overlapped. The two-dimensional configuration of the flexible film simplifies the structure. Further, as the weights prevents the weir from floating up, there is no need for forming irregularities on the river bed, thereby simplifying the construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Tateo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6132140
    Abstract: A water dam includes a number of loading pallets arranged side-by-side and inclined outward from the water supported by supports. Membranes are placed on loading pallets and extend a distance in front of the pallets under the water. The membranes may be held down in the front edge by stones, sand bags, etc. initially to hold the membrane in place. The supports are triangular and made of U-shaped sheet metal beams. The one on which the pallets rest grips over the adjoining legs of two loading pallets to hold these together. To the rear the support is extended sufficient to secure that it cannot be tilted by the water. To achieve this and achieve a good grip on the ground the inclination is preferably 45.degree., resulting in great vertical forces on the ground, a good grip on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Sten Kullberg
  • Patent number: 5997213
    Abstract: A ditch check includes a plurality of bodies that are located in two rows with a gap defined between the two rows. An M-shaped anchor has two legs and a central section, with one of the legs being located adjacent to one face of a body in one row and the other leg being located adjacent to one face of a body in the other row, and a central section that is located between the two bodies. Each row can include a plurality of end-to-end bodies which can be in overlapping relationship with each other. A tool for placing the M-shaped anchor into the ground is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventors: Gordon Dennis, Gilbert Barber
  • Patent number: 5895579
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the fluid flow through a waste fluid inlet channel, such as for a sewage treatment plant, includes a weir that may be inserted into the channel. The weir may be one or more plates that serve to reduce the effective cross section of the channel. The plates may be shaped so that the channel is more restricted at greater depths, or may be combined to form such other shape, in order to provide desirable flow patterns. Plates may be added, removed, or exchanged with different sized plates, to accommodate a range of fluid volume at a desired flow rate. The plates may combine with a bar rack, and will not interfere with the cleaning thereof. The plates may be positioned to allow grit to flow through without impediment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventors: Charles M. Schloss, Charles E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5882144
    Abstract: This device for triggering the destruction of a selected portion (1 or 11) of a hydraulic structure such as an embankment dam, dike, or levee built out of erodible material so as to be destroyable by hydraulic erosion is constituted by at least one massive element (5) which is disposed on the top of the selected portion (1, 11) of the structure and which is held there by gravity, the massive element (5) being dimensioned in size and in weight in such a manner as to be expelled by the water when it reaches a predefined level (N), the vertical dimension of the massive element measured beneath said predefined level (N) being selected in such a manner that the nappe which is released after the massive element has been expelled is of a thickness (z) suitable for causing reliable and rapid destruction of the selected portion (1, 11) of the hydraulic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hydroplus
    Inventor: Fran.cedilla.ois Lemperiere
  • Patent number: 5795467
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the fluid flow through a waste fluid inlet channel, such as for a sewage treatment plant, includes a weir that may be inserted into the channel. The weir may be one or more plates that serve to reduce the effective cross section of the channel. The plates may be shaped so that the channel is more restricted at greater depths, or may be combined to form such other shape, in order to provide desirable flow patterns. Plates may be added, removed, or exchanged with different sized plates, to accommodate a range of fluid volume at a desired flow rate. The plates may combine with a bar rack, and will not interfere with the cleaning thereof. The plates may be positioned to allow grit to flow through without impediment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Schloss Engineered Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schloss, Charles E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5791817
    Abstract: A one-piece plastic back brace for a ditch dam is shaped like the V of the ditch. It has a groove on the top back edge that engages a span pipe which is placed across the ditch. An apron is mounted to the span pipe before the back brace is engaged. The apron folds back over the back brace to form a dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: American Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Dan S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5720575
    Abstract: A water control and diversion headgate for use in irrigation systems, simplifying the headgate construction, easing its operation and improving its overall efficiency. This headgate includes a corrugated pipe, sometimes provided with an internal liner and having a beveled slot which extends slightly less than halfway through its diameter. A solid, flat elongated water-blocking gate, usually somewhat flexible, is positioned within the slot for vertical movement and for fully or partially blocking water flow through the pipe. The gate has a tapered lower edge and is adapted to make a sealing line contact with an adjacent pipe corrugation for sealing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: James O. Henrie
  • Patent number: 5680989
    Abstract: An adjustable weir for use in a liquid distribution system utilizes a weir plate having a weir opening whose height can be adjusted vertically. The weir plate is mounted to the end of a fluid distribution outlet in a manner which will maintain its proper orientation while allowing its vertical position with respect to the outlet opening to be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Norman F. Gavin
    Inventors: Richard F. Plachy, Norman W. Gavin
  • Patent number: 5195846
    Abstract: For the purpose of providing a more economical alternative to conventional control gates for the quasi-permanent closure of all or part of the length of the overflow spillway of a dam except when discharging extraordinary floods, the invention consists of installing on the sill of the spillway a water level raising means comprising at least one heavy element, held by gravity on the sill, the water level raising means or its element being designed to overturn at a predetermined head corresponding to a headwater level not higher than the predetermined maximum water level in order to discharge extraordinary floods, smaller floods being discharged by a separate flood discharge structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: GTM Entrepose
    Inventor: Francois Lemperiere
  • Patent number: 5156489
    Abstract: A fully portable flume for a canal or water channel comprising a horizontal sill across the width of said flume; means to raise or lower the sill while maintaining it in a horizontal position; a movable transverse wall connected at its upper edge to the sill's upstream edge, and, at its lower edge, to the channel's floor. Flow measuring means such as a stilling well may be operatively associated with the sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: John A. Replogle
  • Patent number: 5032038
    Abstract: For the purpose of effecting a quasi-permanent raising of the normal water level of an impounded reservoir and thereby augmenting its storage capacity except during the passage of major floods, the invention consists of installing on the sill of the spillway a water level raising means comprising at least one heavy element, the said means or water level raising elements being capable of resisting the water loads when spilling moderate heads (for discharging the floods of shorter recurrence intervals) by virtue of their own weight but breaching by overturning at a predetermined head corresponding to a level not higher than a predetermined maximum water level in order to discharge larger floods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: GTM Batiment et Travaux Publics
    Inventor: Francois Lemperiere
  • Patent number: 4729692
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for quieting flowing waters in which a wall supported by a barge crosswise of water flow with structural members of the wall engaging an underwater obstruction to prevent the wall and barge from moving with the flow of water whereby the wall is adapted to divert water flow around the wall to provide a quiet water working area ahead of the wall. The wall comprises a plurality of gates supported by the structural members for movement relative thereto so that the wall may be raised under adverse conditions to allow the floating platform to rise with high waters with the structural members of the wall being maintained in engagement with the obstruction to prevent or aid in preventing the floating platform from moving with the flow. Under normal conditions, the floating platform will rise and fall with the wall in its water quieting position and the structural members of the wall maintaining engagement with the underwater obstructon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Intrusion-Prepakt Incorporated
    Inventor: Terrence N. Tucker
  • Patent number: 4467645
    Abstract: A portable weir for measuring water flow through an irrigation canal is provided in an obliquely disposed check gate shaped to fit the cross sectional configuration of the canal. The weir opening in the check gate is reinforced by a cooperating network of reinforcing members to assure reliable readings from the weir even though it is subjected to rough handling in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Inventor: A. Pat Murphree
  • Patent number: 4330224
    Abstract: A collapsible rubber dam installation comprising a rubber dam built across a watercourse such as a river or the like and operative to be raised by supplying fluid such as air, water or the like. The dam is collapsed by discharging the fluid therein into atmosphere. A fluid supply and discharge conduit have one end connected to the inside of the rubber dam at a position which is higher than at least a level of drain collected therein and have the other end extending substantially upwardly with an ascending inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Bridgestone Tire Company Limited
    Inventors: Tateo Muramatsu, Mamoru Kurihara
  • Patent number: 4147451
    Abstract: A valve installation for a flume wherein a preinstalled liner is cast in place at the time of flume construction. The valve body with sealing gasket is later installed within the liner. Wedge plates and associated force-applying bevelled washers are installed around the periphery of the valve body within the cast groove which receives the liner. The bevelled washer can be actuated to force the valve body against a gasket compressing the gasket to form a seal and for locking the valve body in the liner. Removal for servicing is easily accomplished by the removal of the bevelled washers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Zeiders