Flood control system

Abstract

A system for controlling flooding comprises a fitting coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building, a pipe connected to the fitting and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom, and a first drainage line extending from the pipe to a drainage area for discharge of water from within the drain pit. The fitting may be sealingly coupled to the preexisting drain pit. According to one aspect, the fitting may at least partially extend into the drain pit. For example, the fitting may extend at least four inches into the drain pit. Further, a cap may be attached to an open end of the pipe remote from the fitting. In some instances, the system may further comprise a pump within said drain pit underlying the fitting pump. This pump may be a sump pump or a removable pump. Even further included may be a control for operating the pump.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/868,595 filed Dec. 5, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Groundwater flooding can cause many problems for homeowners, such as structural damage, sewer system back-ups, and damaged appliances. During extreme flooding, water pressure can collapse foundation walls. Many homes have full or partial basements, which act as reverse swimming pools, holding water from rainfall or melted snow outside its walls.

Foundation drain tile systems may transport ground water away from a basement. As the water content in soil surrounding a house increases, the water travels down alongside a foundation into a pipe. The drain tile or pipe is usually four inches in diameter and is perforated or has pre-drilled holes along its length. The pipes may be laid to catch water from areas surrounding and underneath a basement. Filter media or gravel is used to cover the drain tile. Water flows readily through the gravel in to the pipe. The drain tile pipe runs beneath the basement to a sump pit installed in the basement where the water is collected. The collected water is typically removed from the sump pit using a sump pump.

Typical sump pumps detect when the level of the collected water reaches a predetermined height. Specifically, a float may be positioned in the sump pit, wherein the float activates an electromechanical pump when the water raises the float to a particular height. Once the pump is activated, the electrically powered pump forces water up through a pipe running up and out of the basement.

Typical sump pumps may be problematic in that they require electricity to operate. Accordingly, if the power goes out during a strong storm, when large amounts of water likely collect around a basement, the pump will not operate. Further, when the pump is operative, it consumes high amounts of electricity, thus wasting resources and increasing utility costs. Accordingly, a “greener” and more reliable alternative is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a system for controlling flooding, comprising a fitting coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building, a pipe connected to the fitting and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom, and a first drainage line extending from the pipe to a drainage area for discharge of water from within the drain pit. The fitting may be sealingly coupled to the preexisting drain pit. According to one aspect, the fitting may at least partially extend into the drain pit. For example, the fitting may extend at least four inches into the drain pit. Further, a cap may be attached to an open end of the pipe remote from the fitting.

A second drainage line may be connected to the pipe and extend to the drainage area or another drainage area. The drainage area may include preexisting plumbing, such as a sink. In some instances, the system may further comprise a pump within said drain pit underlying the fitting pump. This pump may be a sump pump or a removable pump. Even further included may be a control for operating the pump.

Another aspect of the invention provides a system for controlling flooding comprising a fitting sealingly coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building and at least partially covering a sump pump within the drain pit, said sump pump having a first pipe extending upwardly therefrom. A second pipe may be connected to the fitting, having a portion extending upwardly therefrom, and surrounding at least a portion of the first pipe. A drainage line may extend from the second pipe to a drainage area, the drainage line providing an outlet for water rising up the second pipe.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method of making a system adapted for controlling flooding in a building having an open drain pit. This method comprises arranging a fitting overlaying an opening of said drain pit, and forming a seal between said fitting and said drain pit to provide at least a partially sealed environment between said fitting and said drain. Moreover, the method comprises coupling a discharge line between said fitting in fluid communication with said partially sealed environment and a remote drainage area, whereby water present in said drain pit is channeled through said fitting to said drainage area via said discharge line.

This method may further comprise arranging a pump within the drain pit and arranging the fitting around at least a portion of the pump. Further, an actuator may be provided for the engaging the pump, the actuator being manual or automatic.

A further aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for controlling flooding, comprising a fitting having one end adapted to be coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building, and having another end adapted to be coupled to a pipe. A pipe interconnectable with the fitting may have a portion extending upwardly therefrom. A drainage line may extend from the pipe to a drainage area for discharge of water from within said drain pit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a flood control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a flood control system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a flood control system 100 is provided wherein a fitting 150 of the system 100 is inserted into a drainage pit 110 preformed in floor 130. Connected to the fitting 150 is a pipe 160 extending upwardly away from the pit 110. A cap 180 may cover an open end of the pipe 160, for example, to prevent any debris from falling into the pipe 160. Connected to the pipe 160 are first and second drainage lines 170, 175. As shown, the first drainage line 170 extends through a wall 132 of the building, and further extends a substantial distance away from the wall 132. Second drainage line 175 connects to a preexisting plumbing source, such as a utility sink 136.

A drain tile 120 is positioned to divert water to the drain pit 110. Specifically, the drain tile 120 may include perforations 124, so that when water seeps through the ground 134 and through filter 126, it will further seep into the drain tile 120. From there it is carried to an end 122 of the drain tile 120 and into the drain pit 110. According to one embodiment, the end 122 of the drain tile 120 may include a check valve so that water only flows into the drain pit 110 and not back into the tile 120.

Accordingly, as groundwater seeps into the drain pit 110, the water level will rise up the pit 110 into the fitting 150 and further up the pipe 160. When the water level reaches the height of the drainage line 170, it will exit through the first drainage line 170 and away from the building. Any water rising above the first drainage line 170 exits through the second drainage line 175.

Drain pits installed in many homes are typically one of a few standard sizes. For example, a substantial number of drain pits are ten inches in diameter. Accordingly, the fitting 150 may be formed with a ten inch diameter to securely fit within the drain pit 110. Moreover, various models of the fitting 150 may correlate to the standard sizing of drain pits.

The fitting 150 may preferably include a round outer surface to comfortably fit within the drain pit 110. That is, because most drain pits are cylindrical, a rounded outer surface of the fitting 150 would closely correlate to a surface of the drain pit 110, thereby providing a more secure fit. However, it should be understood that an outer surface of the fitting 150 may be any shape, including rectangular, octagonal or irregularly shaped.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fitting 150 further includes a second surface extending towards the pipe 160. As better seen in FIG. 2, second surface 254 extends between the first surface of the fitting and the pipe. This surface may be frustoconical, thereby forcing any water rising therethrough up towards the pipe 160. However, similar to the surface corresponding to the drain pit 110, the second surface may be any size or shape. Moreover, it should be understood that the fitting 150 may include any number of surfaces. For example, the fitting 150 may be hemispherical, cubical, cylindrical, polygonal, or irregularly shaped.

The fitting 150 may be formed of any of a variety of materials, including but not limited to metals, plastics, glass, and polymers. Plastic may preferably be used in order to withstand wear (e.g., rust) caused by frequent contact with water. Some examples of durable and cost-efficient plastics include vinyl, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene.

As mentioned above, the fitting 150 may be placed at least partially within the drain pit 110. Preferably, the fitting 150 may be submersed four to six inches into the drain pit 110. However, it should be understood that the fitting 150 may be placed any depth into the drain pit 110, or not into the drain pit 110 at all. For example, the fitting 150 may be arranged to cover the drain pit 110, wherein a bottom surface of the fitting 150 rests on the floor 130. This aspect will be explained in more detail with respect to FIG. 3.

To ensure a more secure placement of the fitting 150 in or over the drain pit 110, a seal may be implemented. For example, where the fitting 150 is placed within the drain pit 110, a seal may fill any gaps between the outer surface of the fitting 150 and the inner surface of the drain pit 150. Further, a seal may be placed near a top portion of the drain pit 110 approximately level with the floor 130. In this regard, the seal ensures that no water escapes from the pit 110, and that the flood control system 100 remains securely in place. Any of a variety of sealants may be used to this effect, including cork, shellac compound, or weather stripping sealant, caulking compounds, waterproof or resistant adhesives, and the like.

The pipe 160 may vary over a wide range of lengths. According to one embodiment, where the drainage line 170 leads to an area outside the building, the pipe 160 may be at least as tall as the distance to ground level. For example, if the basement is five feet under ground, the pipe 160 may preferably be five or six feet long. In this regard, water channeled up the pipe 160 may naturally flow down through drainage line 170 due to gravity. According to another example, where the drain pit 110 is thirty feet below grade, the pipe 160 may extend approximately thirty-five feet upward. Although the pipe 160 is shown as being straight and extending approximately vertically, it should be understood that the pipe 160 may take a variety of forms, for example, as described in connection with FIG. 3.

The pipe 160 may also vary in diameter. Although according to one aspect of the invention the pipe may preferably be six inches in diameter, the pipe 160 may be wider or narrower according to other aspects. For example, in the embodiment explained below in connection with FIG. 2, where a conventional sump pump resides within the flood control system, a wider diameter pipe 160 may be preferred. Moreover, the diameter of the pipe 160 may be determined by an average water content of the ground on which the building resides. Thus, for example, in areas with substantial levels of groundwater, a wider pipe 160 may be desired to prevent overflow.

Similar to the fitting 150, any of a variety of materials may be used to form the pipe 160. For example, the pipe may be plastic, aluminum, tin, or glass. Further, the pipe 160 may be composed of the same or different material as the fitting 150.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cap 180 may cover an open end of the pipe 160. The cap 180 may prevent any debris from falling into the pipe 160 and interfering with the flood control system 100. Additionally, the cap 180 may prevent the water level within the pipe 160 from rising over the top end of the pipe 160.

Drainage lines 170, 175 may be connected to the pipe 160, for example, via connectors (not shown) formed into the pipe 160. The connectors may take the form of short spouts extending from a side of the pipe 160. For ease of connection of drainage lines, the connectors may be threaded or may include some other fastening mechanism. Any connectors that are not used may merely be capped to prevent water leakage.

The drainage lines 170, 175 may be any length or diameter. However, the lines 170, 175 should be large enough to easily allow water to pass through and out of the pipe 160. Moreover, depending on the termination of the lines 170, 175, they may also be of at least a predetermined length. For example, according to an aspect where the drainage line 170 extends through the wall 132 and to an area outside the building, the line 170 should preferably extend far enough away from the building that the water is not merely recycled back to the drain tile 120. An example of an appropriate length in this circumstance may be twenty to thirty feet. According to another aspect where the drainage line 175 runs to a preexisting plumbing source, the line 175 may be shorter. For example, if the utility sink 136 is within close proximity of the flood control system 100, a length of five to ten feet may be appropriate.

Although the drainage lines 170, 175 may be placed anywhere along the pipe 160, strategic placement may facilitate drainage of the water. For example, if the drainage line 170 is extending to an area outside the building, the line 170 should be placed at least as high as the ground level, and perhaps even higher. Moreover, a user may prefer that lesser amounts of water be drained to areas such as preexisting plumbing sources 136. In this regard, the drainage line 175 may be used as an auxiliary drainage line, and placed above a main drainage line (e.g., line 170).

Although two drainage lines 170, 175 are implemented in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that any number of lines may be used. For example, in areas with high groundwater content, more drainage lines may be desirable. However, in many circumstances, a single drainage line should be sufficient.

The flood control system 100, including the fitting 150, the pipe 160, the drainage lines 170/175, and the cap 180 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, only some components, such as the fitting 150 and the pipe 160, may be integrally formed. According to an even further embodiment, each component of the flood control system 100 may be a separate interconnectable component. Therefore, it should be understood that any number of components may be used with the system 100, and components may be added or replaced as necessary. For example, a damaged pipe 160 may be replaced with another pipe. Further, if a taller or different shaped pipe would assist in drainage of water from the pit 110, additional piping components may be attached to the existing pipe 160.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the flood control system. According to this embodiment, the flood control system 200 is used in conjunction with a conventional sump pump 202. Specifically, the conventional sump pump may reside within drain pit 210 and serve as a primary unit for channeling water away from a building. The flood control system 200 may serve as a backup means of preventing flooding in the event of failure of the sump pump 202. Alternatively, the flood control system 200 may serve as the primary unit for diverting water, and the conventional sump pump 202 may be activated only as desired by a user.

As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional sump pump 202 resides within a drain pit 210 connected to drain tile 220. The flood control system 200 also partially resides within the drain pit 110 and surrounds a portion of sump pump pipe 206. Sealant 290 may be applied around a portion of fitting 250 (e.g., lower portion 252) to secure the system 200 in place in the drain pit 210. A second portion 254 of fitting 250 may connect to pipe 260, which extends up and away from the fitting 250. Connectors 272, 274 allow for connection of drainage line 270, which extends outside through a wall 232.

Where the flood control system 200 is implemented as a backup, the conventional sump pump 202 may operate similarly to its operation without the flood control system 200. Namely, when the water level in the drain pit 110 rises enough to lift float 204 to a predetermined height, the sump pump 202 would be activated. As it is connected to power supply 208, water would be pumped from the drain pit 110 and up through pipe 206.

However, in the event of a power failure, or if the conventional pump 202 cannot pump the water quickly enough, the flood control system 200 would prevent overflow of the water from the drain pit 110. For example, the water would raise up through the fitting 250 and into the pipe 260. The water would then flow through drainage line 270 and out away from the building, without need for any electricity.

Alternatively, the flood control system 200 may operate as the main unit for diverting water. For example, the conventional sump pump 202 may be manually switched on only as desired by a user. As a further example, the conventional sump pump 202 may automatically turn on as water begins to recede, in order to prevent any water below a level of the connectors 272, 274 from flowing back into the ground. This may be effected by, for example, placing sensors within the pipe 260 which detect a predetermined decrease in the water level. Such sensors may be configured to trigger activation of the sump pump 202 upon such detection.

It should be understood that this embodiment may be varied, for example, to include a second drainage line attached to the connector 274. Additionally, a cap may be placed at an end of the pipe 260, while still permitting the channel 206 to pass through.

According to a variant of this embodiment, a removable pump may be used in place of the conventional sump pump 202. For example, a small pump may be inserted into the drain hole 210 through an open end of the pipe 260. This pump may be powered electrically, mechanically, with batteries, or with any combination of such sources. For example, the pump may include a manual crank with a backup battery supply. Alternatively or additionally, the pump may include wiring for attachment to a power supply. This wiring may be passed through connector 274, or any other opening in the pipe 260. In this regard, the removable pump may be inserted and powered as needed to facilitate drainage of the water in the drain pit 210. The pump may also be removed, for example, through the open end of the pipe 260, as desired.

According to another aspect, shown in FIG. 3, flood control system 300 may be configured over a preexisting drain pit 310. For example, fitting 350 is positioned to cover the drain pit 310, as opposed to residing within it. Accordingly, a lower portion of the fitting 350 may be sized and shaped to fit over an opening 312 of the drain pit 310. The fitting 350 may be secured to the floor 330 by any means, such as with bolts, adhesive, solder, or the like. A seal 390 may be applied around a juncture of the fitting 350 and the floor 330 to ensure that no water leaks through this juncture.

Also shown in FIG. 3, piping connected to the fitting 350 is composed of several different parts—lower pipe 360, elbow pipe 362, and end pipe 364. End pipe 364 may be terminated by cap 380 to prevent spillage from its end. According to this embodiment, water rising up in drain pit 310 would be channeled into the fitting 350, and further channeled into lower pipe 360. Rather than rising up a tall pipe to a drainage line, the water would only rise up to the elbow pipe 360 before it was diverted into the end pipe 364. End pipe 364 may be substantially parallel with floor 330, or may even be positioned at an angle such that the cap 380 is lower than the elbow pipe 362. Because drainage line 370 is connected to the end pipe 364, any water that passed through the elbow pipe 362 would be drained. In this regard, the water may be drained quickly, and when the water rising though the fitting 350 recedes, water within the end pipe 364 would be drained through the drainage line 370, as opposed to flowing back into the drain pit 310.

The foregoing embodiments may be used to control flooding in any type of building, such as commercial or residential properties. The system can also be used for any size property, for example, apartment buildings, large homes, smaller homes, and office buildings.

It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. Although numerous features have been described with respect to each of the various embodiments, it should be understood that the features of one embodiment may be applied to any other. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for controlling flooding, comprising:

a fitting coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building;

a pipe connected to the fitting and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom; and

a first drainage line extending from the pipe to a drainage area for discharge of water from within said drain pit.

2. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, wherein said fitting is sealingly coupled to said preexisting drain pit.

3. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, wherein said pipe has an open end remote from said fitting, and a cap attached to said open end of said pipe.

4. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, wherein the fitting at least partially extends into the drain pit.

5. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 4, wherein the fitting extends at least four inches into the drain pit.

6. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, further comprising a second drainage line connected to the pipe.

7. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, wherein the drainage area includes preexisting plumbing.

8. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, wherein the pipe includes at least one bend following the portion extending upwardly from the fitting, and wherein the drainage line connects to a portion of the pipe following the at least one bend.

9. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, further comprising a pump within said drain pit underlying said fitting.

10. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 9, wherein the pump is a sump pump.

11. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 9, wherein the pump is a removable pump.

12. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 9, further comprising a control for operating the pump.

13. The system for controlling flooding according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional pipe coupled between the fitting and the drainage line.

14. A system for controlling flooding, comprising:

a fitting sealingly coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building and at least partially covering a sump pump within the drain pit, said sump pump having a first pipe extending upwardly therefrom;

a second pipe connected to the fitting and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom, the pipe surrounding at least a portion of the first pipe; and

a drainage line extending from the second pipe to a drainage area, the drainage line providing an outlet for water rising up the second pipe.

15. A method of making a system adapted for controlling flooding in a building having an open drain pit, said method comprising:

arranging a fitting overlaying an opening of said drain pit;

forming a seal between said fitting and said drain pit to provide at least a partially sealed environment between said fitting and said drain pit; and

coupling a discharge line between said fitting and a remote drainage area,

whereby water present in said drain pit is channeled through said fitting to said drainage area via said discharge line.

16. The method of making a system adapted for controlling flooding according to claim 15, further comprising arranging a pump within the drain pit.

17. The method of making a system adapted for controlling flooding according to claim 16, further comprising arranging the fitting around at least a portion of the pump.

18. The method of making a system adapted for controlling flooding according to claim 16, further comprising providing an activator for engaging the pump.

19. The method of making a system adapted for controlling flooding according to claim 18, further comprising providing a manual activator for engaging the pump.

20. The method of making a system adapted for controlling flooding according to claim 15, further comprising coupling at least one piping component between said fitting and said discharge line.

21. An apparatus for controlling flooding, comprising:

a fitting having one end adapted to be coupled to a preexisting drain pit in a building, and having another end adapted to be coupled to a pipe;

a pipe interconnectable with the fitting and having a portion extending upwardly therefrom; and

a drainage line extending from the pipe to a drainage area for discharge of water from within said drain pit.