Air gap fitting
Apparatus and methods provide for an air gap fitting to be installed between various equipment drains and a sewer connection. The apparatus includes a body with an inlet at a receiver. A supply of waste is provided to the device through the inlet and the waste then flows through a channel in the body. The apparatus also includes a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of the body such that the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with the channel and the plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend a majority of the perimeter of the body. Waste exits the body through an outlet at which point the waste flows through into the sewer system by way of a waste receptor pipe. The presence of the apertures allows waste to flow through them rather than allow contaminated sewage to reach upstream piping or equipment.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/690,438, filed Jun. 15, 2005, entitled “PVC air gap coupling”. The entire disclosure of this earlier application is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to drainage systems and more particularly to an air gap fitting for drainage systems. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to backflow prevention devices, more specifically to a plumbing fixture for connection between an appliance or equipment drain or drains and a sewer line for preventing backflow by interposing an air gap therebetween.
BACKGROUNDNearly every commercial establishment utilizes a number of sinks and other equipment which are a source of waste. This waste is typically carried through various pipes to a sewer. An inherent danger arises in connecting these drains to the sewer in the event of a back-up due to a clog in a line, back siphoning or some other cause. If a backup occurs, there is a danger that sewer fluids might make their way back through the drain lines and into the equipment to contaminate it. In order to prevent such backups, many governmental entities have established plumbing codes that require that there be a gap between equipment drain line and the sewer system in order to prevent backflow from reaching the equipment. By inserting this gap, the lines are often considered to be “indirect” lines as opposed to direct lines which do not include air gaps.
Air gap fittings are therefore useful, and often times required, to meet these public health and safety concerns. Unfortunately, conventional prior art air gap fittings are often complicated and expensive to manufacture or install and otherwise fail to meet the needs of society.
SUMMARYEmbodiments of the present invention address these issues and others by providing air gap fittings that include various features absent in earlier fittings. For example, features of some embodiments provide for the support of up stream piping such that a separate pipe support is not needed. Features of some embodiments provide for the device to be pivotable upon installation such that there is a certain amount of play in the orientation in order to be able to adjust the fitting to accommodate existing piping. Features of some embodiments provide sufficiently sized openings or apertures in the fitting such that drain and sewer lines can be cleaned without removing or dismantling the air gap fitting.
One embodiment of an air gap fitting includes a body with an inlet, an outlet and a channel in between. The inlet may be positioned at a receiver and waste is passed from upstream piping through the inlet, into the channel and ultimately out the outlet. The air gap fitting also may have a central axis which may or may not align with a central axis of the inlet/receiver. The air gap fitting also includes a plurality of axially disposed apertures which are positioned about a perimeter of the body of the air gap fitting. The plurality of axially disposed apertures is in fluid communication with the channel so that in the event of a backflow, the waste will flow out of the apertures and will not flow back up into the upstream piping.
Another embodiment is an air gap fitting with a body that includes an inlet at a receiver for receiving waste, a central axis, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet, a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of the body such that the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with the channel and such that the plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 60% of the perimeter of the body, and an outlet in fluid communication with the channel for allowing the waste to exit the body. In accordance with such an embodiment, waste flows into the inlet, passes to the channel and ultimately passes out of the fitting through an outlet and into downstream sewer piping.
Another embodiment is a device that includes a body with an inlet at a receiver for receiving waste, a central axis, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet, an inner pipe portion which is positioned inside of the body and adjacent the receiver, a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of the body wherein the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with the channel; and an outlet for allowing the waste to exit the body.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention include air gap fittings and associated methods of using air gap fittings in order to clean associated piping upstream and/or downstream of the fitting. Certain embodiments of air gap fittings include various features such as eccentric components so that the air gap fitting can be pivoted as necessary to allow a certain amount of play as might be useful in a given installation to fit existing pipe locations without the need to cut the existing pipe. Certain embodiments of air gap fittings include axially disposed apertures that permit a technician to use a snake or other cleaning device to clean the internal portions of an air gap fitting and associated piping without the need to remove the air gap fitting. Furthermore, certain embodiments of air gap fittings are able to support upstream piping such that additional pipe supports are not necessary to support the piping.
Air gap fitting 40 may be affixed to waste receptor pipe 24 by any appropriate means including, but not limited to, screw fit, friction fit, screwing, gluing or with use of one or more gaskets (for example rubber). Air gap 40 fitting may be snugly (if not permanently mounted) to waste receptor pipe 24 such that no fluids or waste can escape through the joint and that any backflow from waste receptor pipe 24 only flow out of the plurality of axially disposed apertures 46.
Receiver 44 may also include a lip 82 which provides a convenient stop when installing vertical drain pipe 20. Note that although illustrated as receiving a pipe on the interior of receiver 44, receiver 44 may also be configured such that the pipe was received on an exterior of receiver 44. The illustrated embodiment may have an advantage in that it may provide for easy installation and minimize the risk of waste and other fluids escaping through the joint of the piping and the receiver. Further, receiver 44 and the upstream piping, for example, vertical drain pipe 20, may be joined in any appropriate means including, but not limited to, slip fit (with or without gaskets or washers), gluing, screwing, bonding, welding, etc. In addition, a join 58 between receiver 44 and top surface 54 may be of any suitable method, partially depending on how air gap fitting 40 is constructed, i.e., if the entire device is injection molded, the device would be unitary and there would be no joint. If, on the other hand, air gap fitting 40 is not integrally constructed, then receiver 44 may be attached to top surface 54 by gluing, gluing, screwing, bonding, welding, etc.
Though not shown, receiver 44 could also be comprised of a hole in top surface 54 in upper plate 50 of air gap fitting 40. Such a configuration could have disadvantages in that it would not be as well suited to support the weight of upstream piping as the illustrated configuration can provide.
The exemplary embodiment also includes a plurality of axially disposed apertures arrayed around perimeter 86 (dashed line in
Interior surface 70 of body 42 may be sized to fit onto an exterior surface of waste receptor pipe 24 though it may be sized and configured as appropriate. For example, body 42 could be constructed such that it fits inside of waste receptor pipe 24. A lip may also be included within this lower interior portion of air gap fitting 40 such that it would provide a convenient stop when installing air gap fitting 40 over waste receptor pipe 24. The fit between air gap fitting 40 and waste receptor pipe 24 may be of any suitable method, including but not limited to, gluing, welding, bonding, slip fit, screw fit, etc. Care should be taken to ensure that waste cannot escape between the joint between air gap fitting 40 and waste receptor pipe 24 irrespective of the method used to attach fitting 40 to waste receptor pipe 24. As shown in the various figures, there is a continuous flow path from the upstream piping, for example vertical drain pipe 20, to inlet 56, then to channel 72, then out outlet 78 and finally into waste receptor pipe 24.
Also illustrated in
Air gap fittings made in accordance with the present invention are economical to manufacture at low unit costs, efficient and practical in operation and satisfy the requirements of governmental entity codes requiring indirect drain line connections between draining or discharging equipment and the sewer system. Thus, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present invention may provide a simple, effective, inexpensive and practical air gap-type backflow prevention device for equipment which drains or discharges waste liquid to a sewage system.
Devices constructed in accordance with the above paragraphs may be comprised of any suitable materials including, but not limited to, metal, steel, aluminum, plastic, wood, rubber, and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, material for air gap fitting 40 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An air gap fitting, comprising:
- a body having: an inlet at a receiver for receiving waste; a central axis which is not coaxial with an axis for said receiver; a channel in fluid communication with said inlet and wherein at least a portion of said channel is along said central axis and wherein said waste flows by gravity from said inlet to said channel; a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of said body wherein the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with said channel; and
- an outlet for allowing said waste to exit said body.
2. The air gap fitting of claim 1, wherein said plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 60% of said perimeter about said body.
3. The air gap fitting of claim 1, wherein said body is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, steel, aluminum, plastic, wood, rubber, and combinations thereof.
4. The air gap fitting of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the device is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
5. The air gap fitting of claim 1, wherein said plurality of axially disposed apertures are substantially rectangular.
6. The air gap fitting of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is large enough to allow cleaning of said body without removing said body.
7. The air gap fitting of claim 1, wherein a height of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is approximately twice a diameter of said inlet.
8. The air gap fitting of claim 1, further comprising an upstream pipe for supplying said waste to said body, and wherein said body is able to support said upstream pipe without need of any additional support, and said upstream pipe is received by said receiver.
9. An air gap fitting, comprising:
- a body having: an inlet at a receiver for receiving waste; a central axis; a channel in fluid communication with said inlet and wherein at least a portion of said channel is along said central axis and wherein said waste flows by gravity from said inlet to said channel; a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of said body wherein the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with said channel and said plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 60% of said perimeter wherein said perimeter is orthogonal to said central axis; and an outlet for allowing said waste to exit said body.
10. The air gap fitting of claim 9, wherein said receiver has an axis that is not coaxial with said central axis.
11. The air gap fitting of claim 9, wherein said plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 80% of said perimeter about said body.
12. The air gap fitting of claim 9, wherein said body is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, steel, aluminum, plastic, wood, rubber, and combinations thereof.
13. The air gap fitting of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the device is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
14. The air gap fitting of claim 9, further comprising a waste receptor pipe in fluid communication with, and downstream of, said channel,
- wherein at least one of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is sized to allow cleaning of said channel and said waste receptor pipe without removing said body, and
- wherein a plumbers snake of at least a 0.5 cm diameter is used for the cleaning.
15. The air gap fitting of claim 9, wherein a height of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is approximately twice a diameter of said inlet.
16. The air gap fitting of claim 9, further comprising an inner pipe portion which is positioned at least partially inside of said body and adjacent said receiver, and
- wherein said inner pipe portion is cut at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to said central axis.
17. The air gap fitting of claim 9, further comprising an upstream pipe for supplying said waste to said body and wherein said body is able to support said upstream pipe without need of any additional support, said upstream pipe is received by said receiver, and a height of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is approximately twice an inner diameter of said upstream pipe.
18. A device comprising:
- a body having: an inlet at a receiver for receiving waste; a central axis; a channel in fluid communication with said inlet and wherein at least a portion of said channel is along said central axis and wherein said waste flows by gravity from said inlet to said channel; an inner pipe portion which is positioned inside of said body and adjacent said receiver; a plurality of axially disposed apertures about a perimeter of said body wherein the plurality of axially disposed apertures are in fluid communication with said channel; and
- an outlet for allowing said waste to exit said body.
19. The device of claim 18, further comprising an upstream pipe for supplying said waste to said body, and wherein said body is able to support said upstream pipe without need of any additional support, said upstream pipe is received by said receiver and a height of said plurality of axially disposed apertures is approximately twice an inner diameter of said upstream pipe.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein said plurality of axially disposed apertures collectively extend at least 60% of said perimeter about said body.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 27, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 21, 2006
Inventor: Larry Hood (Conyers, GA)
Application Number: 11/389,802
International Classification: E03C 1/10 (20060101);