# US 11,028,570 B2 · Systems, apparatus, and methods for maintenance of stormwater management systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,570 B2 - Document ID: US11028570B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/938,657 - Filed: 2020-07-24 - Published: 2020-11-12 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-30 - Assignees: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Gregory Spires; Brian Rustia; Evan Geno; Michael Kuehn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028570B2 ## CPC - E03F 1/002: {with disposal into the ground, e.g. via dry wells} - E03F 5/106: {Passive flow control devices, i.e. not moving during flow regulation} - E03F 1/003: {via underground elongated vaulted elements} - E03F: SEWERS; CESSPOOLS ## Abstract Stormwater management systems, methods, and apparatuses for containing and filtering runoff may be provided. In one implementation, a flared end ramp for managing flow of material into a stormwater chamber may be provided. The flared end ramp may include an inlet end configured for connection with a pipe, a side wall of the flared end ramp having a rounded profile at the inlet end; an outlet end configured for placement within the stormwater chamber; and an inclined surface extending between the inlet end and the outlet end of the flared end ramp and configured to deliver material from the pipe into the stormwater chamber. The outlet end of the flared end ramp may have a larger width than the inlet end of the flared end ramp such that the inclined surface is angled laterally outward from the inlet end toward the outlet end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flared end ramp for managing flow of material into a stormwater chamber, the flared end ramp comprising: an inlet end configured for connection with a pipe, a side wall of the flared end ramp having a rounded profile at the inlet end; an outlet end configured for placement within the stormwater chamber; and an inclined surface extending between the inlet end and the outlet end of the flared end ramp and configured to deliver material from the pipe into the stormwater chamber, wherein the outlet end of the flared end ramp has a larger width than the inlet end of the flared end ramp such that the inclined surface is angled laterally outward from the inlet end toward the outlet end, and wherein the inclined surface includes at least one drainage groove extending between the inlet end of the flared end ramp and the outlet end of the flared end ramp. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, further comprising: at least one support foot configured to support the flared end ramp, the at least one support foot being located at the outlet end of the flared end ramp and extending laterally from the flared end ramp. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The flared end ramp of claim 2, wherein the flared end ramp includes a single support foot extending laterally between a first side of the outlet end and a second side of the outlet end, the single support foot forming the widest portion of the flared end ramp. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The flared end ramp of claim 2, wherein the at least one support foot is configured to secure the flared end ramp relative to the stormwater chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, wherein the stormwater chamber is an open-bottom chamber or a cylindrical pipe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, wherein the side wall of the flared end ramp has a semi-circular profile or an annular profile at the inlet end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, wherein at the outlet end of the flared end ramp, the inclined surface includes a flattened bottom portion and first and second upstanding side portions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, wherein the at least one drainage groove includes: a first drainage groove extending along a midline of the inclined surface; and a second drainage groove angled laterally outward from the inlet end toward the outlet end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, wherein the inlet end of the flared end ramp is configured to receive an end of the pipe within the rounded profile of the inlet end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, wherein the inlet end of the flared end ramp is configured to conform to an outer surface of the pipe. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, wherein the inlet end of the flared end ramp is configured for placement within the stormwater chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The flared end ramp of claim 1, wherein the flared end ramp is configured to convey material away from an end cap of the stormwater chamber. ### Claim 13 A flared end ramp and end cap apparatus for a stormwater chamber, the apparatus comprising: a flared end ramp comprising an inlet end configured for connection with a pipe, an outlet end configured for placement within the stormwater chamber, and an inclined surface extending between the inlet end of the flared end ramp and the outlet end of the flared end ramp, the inclined surface configured to deliver material from the pipe into the stormwater chamber; and a stormwater chamber end cap having an interior surface configured to delimit a chamber enclosure formed by the stormwater chamber and the end cap. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the stormwater chamber is an open-bottom chamber or a cylindrical pipe. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the outlet end of the flared end ramp has a larger width than the inlet end of the flared end ramp such that the inclined surface is angled laterally outward from the inlet end toward the outlet end. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flared end ramp further comprises: at least one support foot located at the outlet end of the flared end ramp and extending laterally from the flared end ramp, wherein the at least one support foot is configured to secure the flared end ramp relative to the stormwater chamber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at the outlet end of the flared end ramp, the inclined surface includes a flattened bottom portion and first and second upstanding side portions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flared end ramp and the end cap are configured to be secured together by the pipe. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the end cap includes at least one opening configured to receive the pipe, and the flared end ramp is configured for placement within the stormwater chamber.