# US 10,501,909 B1 · French drain style drainage system

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- Number: US 10,501,909 B1
- Document ID: US10501909B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/052,807
- Filed: 2018-08-02
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2018-08-02
- Applicants: Tobie Phaneuf
- Inventors: Tobie Phaneuf
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501909B1

## CPC

- E02D 31/02: against ground humidity or ground water {(E02D31/06 takes precedence; arrangements other than according to E02D31/04; against hydraulic pressure of groundwater E02D31/10)}
- E02B 11/00: Drainage of soil, e.g. for agricultural purposes {(draining sports grounds E01C13/083; for consolidating foundation soil, e.g. sand drain piles E02D3/10)}
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}
- E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F)

## Abstract

A French drain style drainage system that resolves water infiltration problems is provided. The system includes French drain style pipes with flaps on both sides wherein a first row of perimeter pipes is laid at the foundation footing level with perforations at the bottom half of the pipe circumference, below the flap so that water below the footing will be collected and the flap which overlaps the foundation creates an effective seal preventing water from creeping upward. A second row of perimeter pipes located just under the ground surface also has flaps on both sides, wherein one flap makes contact with the side of the building and perforations are located on the upper half of the pipe, above the flaps so as to collect surface water. Joining the upper external flap to the lower external flap is a waterproof membrane which creates a dry zone between the two rows of perimeter pipes proximal to the house foundation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A French drain style drainage system comprising:
a foundation footing;
a foundation extending vertically from the foundation footing;
a first French drain pipe having first perforations positioned at a top half circumference of the first French drain pipe;
a second French drain pipe having second perforations positioned at a bottom half circumference of the second French drain pipe;
a first pair of flaps having a first proximal flap and a first distal flap, wherein the first proximal flap extends horizontally from the first French drain pipe to the foundation, and the first distal flap extends horizontally from the first French drain pipe opposite the first proximal flap; and,
a second pair of flaps having a second proximal flap and a second distal flap, wherein the second proximal flap extends horizontally from the second French drain pipe to the foundation footing, and the second distal flap extends horizontally from the second French drain pipe opposite the second proximal flap;
wherein the first French drain pipe is positioned above the second French drain pipe in a vertical plane;
wherein the first pair of flaps is parallel to the second pair of flaps, and the first and second pair of flaps are configured to create a seal to prevent water from creeping downwards and upwards respectively between the first and second pair of flaps.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The French drain style drainage system of claim 1, further comprising at least one vertical pipe in fluid connectivity with the first and second French drain pipe.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The French drain style drainage system of claim 1, further comprising a membrane configured to provide a dry area between the first and second French drain pipe.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The French drain style drainage system of claim 3, wherein the membrane is positioned perpendicular to the first and second pair of flaps.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The French drain style drainage system of claim 4, wherein the membrane is constructed from waterproof materials.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The French drain style drainage system of claim 3, further comprising loose aggregates lining an exterior surface of the membrane.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The French drain style drainage system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of handles along the first and second French drain pipe to facilitate the initial installation of the system.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The French drain style drainage, system of claim 1, wherein the first pair of flaps is positioned under the ground surface.