Grate suspended storm drain filter with oil absorbing media
OwnerRobert Sharplessinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method for removing petroleum based contaminants from the runoff water that passes into a storm drain. The device is a filter apparatus that can be added to a storm drain or a storm drain assembly containing a filter apparatus. The filter apparatus consists of a filter cartridge containing oil absorbing material. The filter cartridge is suspended below the grate of the storm drain by flexible suspension elements such as chains. The top of each of the flexible suspension elements terminate at an attachment element that engages the grate of the storm grate. As a result, the filter cartridge is suspended directly from the grate so as to not disturbed and the position of the grate.
Claims16
In a storm drain that receives liquid and solid waste, having a catch basin and a grate that covers the catch basin, a filter apparatus comprising:
- at least one grate engagement element for mechanically engaging the grate;
- a suspension element selected from the group consisting of rods and chains coupled to each said grate engagement element, wherein each said suspension element extends downwardly from each said grate engagement element;
- a filter cartridge coupled to each said suspension element suspended a predetermined distance below the grate, said filter cartridge having at least one water permeable top surface that is sloped, wherein liquid is free to flow through said at least one water permeable top surface and solid waste larger than a predetermined size is deflected by said at least one water permeable top surface.
A storm drain apparatus, comprising:
- a catch basin having an open top;
- a removable grate covering said open top of said catch basin, wherein said grates defines a plurality of slats through which water can flow;
- a filter cartridge having at least one water permeable top surface that is sloped, wherein water is free to flow through said at least one water permeable top surface and solid waste larger than a predetermined size is deflected away from said filter cartridge by said at least one water permeable top surface;
- at least one suspension element selected from the group consisting of rods and chains having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each suspension element is coupled to said grate and said second end of each suspension element is coupled to said filter cartridge, thereby suspending said filter cartridge below said grate so that most water flowing through said grate passes through said filter element.
A method for adding a filter assembly to a storm drain having a catch basin covered by a slotted grate, said method including the steps of:
- connecting a plurality of suspension elements selected from the group consisting of rods and chains to the grate, wherein said suspension elements extend a predetermined distance below the grate into the catch basin;
- attaching a filter cartridge to said plurality of suspension elements, and suspending said filter cartridge below the grate, said filter cartridge having at least one top surface that is sloped, wherein substantially all water entering said storm drain passes through said at least one top surface after flowing through said grates and solid waste larger than a predetermined size is deflected away from said filter cartridge by said at least one top surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.