Fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus

#Not Applicable

#Not Applicable

#1. Field of the Invention

#FIG. 1 is a generally perspective front view of one form of the fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus as it appears when installed in a conventional curbside storm drain.

#FIG. 2 is a generally perspective rear view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus in an open position to permit fluid and debris flow through the flow channel of the storm drain.

#FIG. 3 is a generally perspective front view of the control gate portion of the fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus in its open position.

#Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, one form of the fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus of the invention is there shown as it appears when positioned within the conventional curbside storm drain. This form of the apparatus, which is generally designated in the drawings by the numeral 18, functions to control the flow of fluid and the introduction of debris into the entrance “E” of the storm drain “SD” that comprises a structure “S” having spaced apart side walls “W” that define a fluid flow channel “C” (FIG. 2) through which fluid, such as rainwater flows. In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 the apparatus comprises a control gate assembly 20 that includes a support member 22 that is connected to structure “S” and spans the fluid flow channel “C”. Support number 22 is here shown as an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped pivot rod having first and second extremities 22a and 22b that are disposed in engagement with the sidewalls “W” of the structure “S” (FIG. 1). Pivotally connected to support member 22 for movement between a first at rest position and a second position are a plurality of transversely spaced apart uniquely configured flow control vanes 24. Flow control vanes 24, which also comprise a part of the fluid flow control and debris intercepting gate 20, uniquely function to control fluid flow through the fluid flow channel “C” and to selectively block the entrance of debris into the channel. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, each of the flow control vanes 24 has a front face 24a, a rear face 24b, a lower portion 26, an upper portion 28 and an intermediate portion 30. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the intermediate portion 30 of each of the flow control vanes is provided with an opening 30a that is constructed and arranged to slidably receive the support member 22. More particularly, in the form of in the invention shown in these figure drawings, the opening is provided in the form of a transverse bore that is constructed and arranged to slidably receive the support member 22. In an alternate form of flow control, vane 24ALT which is of the somewhat similar configuration shown in FIG. 6, the lower portion 31 of the control vane is curved and is provided with a plurality of spaced apart openings 31a. In another alternate form of flow control vane 33, which as of the configuration shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C of the drawings, the opening is provided in the form of a semicircular opening 33c that is constructed and arranged to releasably grip the support member 22. As indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, if desired, indicia such as advertising indicia “I” can be imprinted on the face of the control vanes 24.

#Also forming an important aspect of the present invention is an elongated, biasing member, shown here as an elongated, yieldably deformable biasing cable 40 (FIGS. 7 and 8) having a first end 40a and a second end 40b. Cable 40 is received within openings 28a formed in the upper portion of each of the control vanes 24 (see FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8). Cable 40 uniquely functions to controllably resist movement of the vanes toward their second position. In a manner presently to be described, cable 40 is continuously maintained in tension and the degree of tension in the cable is regulated by a novel tensioning mechanism 42 that is carried by the structure “S”. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, this important tensioning mechanism here comprises a clock spring tensioning mechanism that includes a peripheral portion 42a to which the first end of the tensioning cable is connected in the manner shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. The tensioning cable further includes a central portion 42b that carries a spiral spring 44 that is operably associated with peripheral portion 42a. As illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings, tensioning mechanism 42 further includes a faceplate 46 and a finger engaging knob 48 which is operably associated with spring 44 for regulating the tension on tensioning cable 40. Rotating the finger engaging knob 48 in one direction causes the spring 44 to rotate in the same direction as the finger engaging knob 48, thus pulling the tensioning cable 40 and increasing the tension on tensioning cable 40. Rotating the finger engaging knob 48 in the opposite direction causes the spring 44 to rotate in the same direction as the finger engaging knob 48, thus creating decreased tension on tensioning cable 40.

#In using the fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7 of the drawings, the cable 40 is first tensioned in the appropriate manner by rotating the finger engaging knob 48 of the tensioning mechanism, which is operably associated with spring 44. As the water flows through the fluid flow channel “C” and impinges on the control vanes 24, the lower portions of the control vanes will tend to move outwardly in the manner shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. However, since the upper portions 28 of the control vanes are interconnected with the cable 40, the cable will yieldably resist the outward movement of the control vanes, which outward movement is tending to move the cable into an arcuate configuration “A” (FIG. 3). It is apparent that the degree of tension placed on the cable 40 controls the amount of force that must be imparted on the control vanes by the flowing fluid to move the cable into the arcuate configuration shown in FIG. 3. The greater the tension on the cable 40, the greater is the force against the fluid flowing through the fluid flow channel “C” and impinging on the control vanes that is required to move the cable into an arcuate configuration “A” as is illustrated in FIG. 3 and to move the control gate into an open position. Conversely, the lesser the tension on the cable 40, the lower is the force against fluid flowing through the fluid flow channel “C” and impinging on the control vanes that is required to move the control gate into an open position. With this in mind, during periods of heavy rainfall when it is desired to encourage maximum fluid flow through the storm drain, a lesser tension is placed on the cable 40 so that the control gate can open widely to permit maximum fluid flow and also to permit debris, such as plastic bottles and the like that may build up against the control gate to flow freely into the storm drain. However, during periods of light rainfall when it is desired to accommodate the light rainfall, but at the same time to prevent debris from entering the storm drain, a greater tension is placed on the cable 40 so as to prevent the control gate from opening wide enough to permit the debris to move past the control gate and enter into the storm drain.