Portable water evacuator

#This invention relates to water evacuators and, in particular, to portable water evacuators for temporary emergency use.

#It is generally common knowledge that many basements in homes and buildings are flooded to an extent that considerable damage results to appliances, furniture and other items commonly found in basements, particularly in homes, as a result of the storm sewers overflowing, so that water backs up through the drain pipes into the basements. Many homes have sump pumps in the basements which, under normal circumstances take care of any basement seepage. However, an equal or greater number of homes are without sump pumps but do have a drain in the basement floor. Various schemes have been proposed for combating the flooding of a basement as a result of the water backing up in the drain, such as, for example, the use of a stand pipe and check valves in the drain. However, none of these schemes have been entirely satisfactory, for one reason or another. For example, when a stand pipe is used, in many circumstances the water will back up in the laundry sinks and the like in the basement, if there is sufficient back pressure. Also, in the past it has not been uncommon that the basement floor has been caused to buckle as a result of the use of a stand pipe or a check valve in the drain opening.

#The portable water evacuator of the present invention is particularly applicable for use in guarding against basement flooding, as a result of water backing up in the drain in the basement floor. Generally, the portable water evacuator comprises a cylindrical housing which is adapted to seat over and about the drain opening to contain any water within the housing which should back up through the drain. Within the cylindrical housing is disposed a submersible sump pump for discharging the water collected in the cylindrical housing to a distant point remote from the basement. With the portable water evacuator, when conditions are such that a heavy rain could cause flooding, the water evacuator can be placed over the drain, on a temporary basis. If the water does back up through the drain, the water will be collected in the cylindrical housing and discharged from the basement by the operation of the sump pump. The sump pump stands energized ready for operation, however, the pump is not actuated unless water actually is collected in the cylindrical housing. When weather conditions are such that no heavy rains are predicted, the portable water evacuator can be stored in an easily accessible location ready for use when needed.

#For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a side, partially sectionalized view, of a portable water evacuator exemplary of the invention, the same being seated over and about a drain in the basement floor;

#FIG. 2 is a top view of the bottom of a cylindrical housing for the water evacuator, the same being constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and

#Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

#Referring now to the drawing, in FIG. 1 the portable water evacuator 10 can be seen to include a cylindrical shaped shell or housing 11 which is opened at the top and has an inwardly extending flange 13 which extends about its interior periphery. The flange 13 is spaced a short distance from the terminal end of the side wall of the cylindrical housing 11 and functions to provide both an opening 14 in the bottom of the housing 11 and a shoulder or seat for a circular shaped sealing gasket 12. The cylindrical housing 11 can be of metal or other rigid material, however, preferably and advantageously it is molded of a rigid plastic so that it is both light weight and rust resistant. The sealing gasket 12 is of a compressible resilient type material such as rubber and is of a substantial thickness to support the portable water evacuator so as to provide a water tight seal about the drain 19 in the concrete floor or the like 18.

#A hanger 15, having a base plate 22, which is perforated to permit water to flow through the base plate and at least two upright arms 23, is provided and seats interiorly of the housing 11. The upper ends of the arms 23 of the hanger 15 are formed to engage the upper edge of the side wall of the housing 11 to support the hanger 15 a spaced distance from the flange 13. This hanger 15 can be of a metal such as stainless steel or the like of sufficient rigidity to support a sump pump 16 within the housing 11.