Storm water diversion device
The invention is a diversionary device for storm water runoff that will divert water from the center of the street to the sides of the street where filters are in place by others. The diversion device for diverting storm water consists of a length member having a length and a width, the length extending a selected distance, the length having formed a multiplicity of baffles along the selected distance, the width having a selected profile, the profile being selected to divert storm water, the length member having formed on at least one its ends at least one interlocking means.
This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 61/014,221 filed Dec. 17, 2007, and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/152,956 filed May 20, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAt present, in an urban environment there are very few means for barricading or diverting storm water on streets during storms. The typical methods are to provide sandbags. However, sandbags have several limitations, they leak, they cannot be driven over, they are labor intensive, and they cannot be easily relocated. The present invention overcomes these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention describes a non-porous modular device that is easily assembled on site to provide a simple diversion device to storm water, and is traversable by both normal passenger vehicles and construction vehicles. In overcoming the problems of the prior art, the present invention enables the assembly of one or more units, depending on the width of the road and the degree of the problem, providing a quick to assemble storm water diversion device.
The present invention is a storm water diversion device, which is made up of the following required elements: a series of interlocking length members that form the bulk of the device and an interlocking head member that begins the diversion. The diversion device 100 typically consists of a length member 110 and a head member 180, although in some instances, only the length members 110 may be employed. With reference now to the figures, and referring specifically to
Slot 130 may serve multiple functions. As shown in
Length member 110 should be constructed of plastic, rubber or composite material such that it has some flexibility so that it follows the contours of the road. Alternatively length member 110 could be constructed of a hard plastic for use in the center of the street, with end members constructed of a more flexible rubber where the street has more contour. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the profile of the base unit need not be trapezoidal, but that a triangular or rounded profile is within the spirit of the invention.
Interlocking means are formed in one end or both ends of length member 110, enabling two or more sections of length member 110 to be connected in order to span a larger portion of the street. Interlocking means are known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and may include female, male connectors, formed at opposing ends in length member 110. Interlocking means can also consist of end plates, wherein the base units and head units are connected by means of screws and bolts. Ones of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many methods of connecting the length members. One such method is shown in
Referring again to
Diversion device 100 is preferably made from a high density non-porous rubber, but may also be made from, but not limited to light, strong para-aramid synthetic fiber (KEVLAR), carbon fiber, plastic, poly urethane, or any number of resins to accomplish the device's desired results.
While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.
Claims
1. A diversion device for diverting storm water, the device comprising:
- a non-porous length member having a selected width, height and length, the selected distance of the length, being at least 2½ feet, the selected height being from about 3 inches to about 6 inches, the length member having opposing sides wherein the length member has a multiplicity of baffles formed extending the selected distance on both opposing sides, and the width and height having a selected profile including a base and an apex.
2. The diversion device of claim 1 wherein the selected profile is trapezoidal.
3. The diversion device of claim 2 wherein the selected profile includes a flat apex extending the length of the length member.
4. The diversion device of claim 3 wherein the ratio of the length of the apex to the length of the base is between about 1 to 1.5 to about 1 to 3.
5. The diversion device of claim 4 wherein the apex forms a slot for receiving an extension, the slot extending the length of the length member.
6. The diversion device of claim 1 wherein the length member has formed on at least one of its ends interlocking means for connecting to another length member.
7. The diversion device of claim 1 additionally comprising a head member, the head member for changing the direction of the diversion device, the head member having a length and a width, the length forming a bend at a selected angle, the width having a selected profile.
8. The diversion device of claim 7 wherein the profile of the head member has the same profile as the length member.
9. The diversion device of claim 7 wherein the profile of the head member has an apex, the apex forming a slot for receiving an extension.
10. The diversion device of claim 7 additionally wherein the head member includes interlocking means for connecting to the length member.
11. The diversion device of claim 7 wherein selected angle of the bend is 90°.
12. A diversion device for diverting storm water, the device comprising:
- a non-porous length member having a selected length, width and height, the selected distance of the length member being at least 2½ feet, the selected height being from about 3 inches to about 6 inches, the length member having opposing sides and extending a selected distance, the length member having formed a multiplicity of baffles along the opposing sides for a selected distance, the length member having formed on at least one its ends at least one interlocking means, and the width and height having a selected profile including a base and a flat apex.
13. The diversion device of claim 12 wherein the selected profile is trapezoidal and wherein the ratio of the apex to the base is between about 1 to 1.5 to about 1 to 3.
14. The diversion device of claim 12 wherein the apex extends the length of length member.
15. The diversion device of claim 14 wherein the apex includes a slot for receiving an extension, the slot extending the length of the length member.
16. The diversion device of claim 12 additionally comprising a head member, the head member attaching to the interlocking means for changing the direction of the diversion device, the head member having a length and a width, the length forming a bend at a selected angle, the width having a selected profile.
17. The diversion device of claim 16 wherein the profile of the head member has the same profile as the length member.
18. The diversion device of claim 16 wherein the profile of the head member has an apex, the apex includes a slot for receiving an extension.
19. The diversion device of claim 16 wherein the head unit has formed on at least one of its ends at least one interlocking means.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 2, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 12, 2012
Inventor: James P. O'Neal (San Marcos, CA)
Application Number: 13/373,030
International Classification: E02B 7/02 (20060101);