Flow shield

Abstract

The present invention relates to a curb, grate, and combination curb and grate inlet temporary filtering system to filter silt, sedimentation and debris from runoff entering a storm water drainage system. The invention comprises a body sized to fit over the inlet and includes one or more support members encapsulated with a filter material that assists in the filtering of water entering the storm sewer inlet.

Claims

1. An environmental barrier device comprising a frame member and a filter member attached thereto, said frame member forming a rigid grid body enclosure composed of a plurality of ribs that form a plurality of apertures, wherein said frame member includes a bottom horizontal edge that runs along the horizontal surface of a road, wherein said frame member includes a top horizontal edge that runs along the horizontal surface of a curb that is elevated above said bottom horizontal edge, wherein said frame member includes two side edges that run from said bottom horizontal edge to said top horizontal edge, wherein the plurality of ribs are positioned perpendicular to the bottom horizontal edge and the top horizontal edge, and form an are between the bottom edge and the top edge, wherein said filter member reversibly attaches to said frame member, and said environmental barrier device can filter sediment and debris from entering a storm drain.

2. The environmental barrier device of claim 1 wherein said frame member includes a top horizontal edge and a bottom horizontal edge of sufficient length to enclose a single wing curb inlet.

3. The environmental barrier device of claim 1 wherein said frame member includes a top horizontal edge and a bottom horizontal edge of sufficient length to enclose a double wing curb inlet.

4. The environmental barrier device of claim 1 wherein said frame member includes a top horizontal edge and a bottom horizontal edge of sufficient length to enclose a combination curb and gutter inlet.

5. The environmental barrier device of claim 1 anchored over a storm drain with concrete tapping screws.

6. The environmental barrier device of claim 1 anchored reversibly attached to a storm drain with two or more weights.

7. The environmental barrier device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of ribs create one or more apertures of 75 to 100 mm in width.

8. The environmental device of claim 1 composed of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, stainless steel, or iron.

9. The environmental barrier device of claim 1 wherein said filter member comprises high filtration mesh that runs the length of said bottom horizontal edge and said side edges and high flow rate mesh runs the length of said top horizontal edge.

10. An environmental barrier device comprising a frame member and a filter member attached thereto, said frame member forming a rigid grid body enclosure composed of a plurality of ribs that form a plurality of apertures, wherein said frame member includes a bottom horizontal edge that runs along the horizontal surface of a road, wherein said frame member includes a top horizontal edge that runs along the horizontal surface of a curb that is elevated above said bottom horizontal edge, wherein said frame member includes two side edges that run from said bottom horizontal edge to said top horizontal edge, wherein said plurality of ribs create a triangular aperture and an irregular aperture along each said side edge, wherein said filter member reversibly attaches to said frame member, and said environmental barrier device can filter sediment and debris from entering a storm drain.

11. An apparatus to filter sediment and debris entering a wing curb inlet comprising, a frame member and a filter member attached thereto, said frame member forming a rigid grid body enclosure composed of a plurality of ribs that form a plurality of apertures, wherein said frame member includes a bottom horizontal edge that runs along the horizontal surface of a road, wherein said frame member includes a top horizontal edge that runs along the horizontal surface of a curb that is elevated above said bottom horizontal edge, wherein said frame member includes two side edges that run from said bottom horizontal edge to said top horizontal edge, wherein the plurality of ribs are positioned perpendicular to the bottom horizontal edge and the top horizontal edge and form an arc between the bottom edge and the top edge, wherein said filter member reversibly attaches to said frame member, and said environmental barrier device can filter sediment and debris from entering a storm drain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Flow Shield covering a standard single wing curb inlet.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Flow Shield covering a standard double wing curb inlet.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Flow Shield covering a standard combination curb and gutter inlet.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the Flow Shield.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the Flow Shield secured to a standard curb inlet with gravel bags.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the Flow Shield anchored to a typical combination curb and grate inlet with concrete tapping screws.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the Flow Shield with the filter shown above the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) The invention is described in detail in the following paragraphs with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this detailed description of the invention, the disclosed embodiments and features are to be considered as examples, rather than being limitations to the invention. Modifications to particular examples within the spirit and scope of the present invention, set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, reference to various embodiments of the disclosed invention does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include every described feature. The various disclosed embodiments and features of the invention may be used separately or together, and in any combination. Terminology used herein is given its ordinary meaning consistent with the exemplary definitions set forth below.

(9) The Flow Shield is a structure designed to be sit atop a storm sewer inlet. It fully covers the inlet and is anchored into the optimum position. The Flow Shield is composed of a rigid grid body covered with an attached filter. The body is composed of any material rigid enough to withstand the force of water runoff while permitting the easy flow of water through said body. The body may be composed of any high density material such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, stainless steel, iron, or other suitable material. Each end of the Flow Shield follows the profile of a standard combination curb and gutter inlet which allows the ends of the Flow Shield to lay flush in the gutter or edge of the road. The Flow Shield encloses the entire curb or gutter grate inlet.

(10) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the Flow Shield installed over a typical single wing curb inlet cover. The top 13 of the Flow Shield body lies flush with the top of the curb 2. The bottom toe 5 of the Flow Shield grid lies flush along the edge of the gutter or road. The Flow Shield contains a number of ribs 11 that link the top 13 to the bottom toe 5 forming a grid. The ribs 11 allow water above the curb and at street level to enter the Flow Shield and to be filtered before entering the storm sewer system. The ribs 11 are flanked by a number of spaces 12 that are approximately 75 to 100 mm in width. Positioned at the outermost ends of the bottom toe 5 is a triangular space 10. There are a total of two triangular spaces 10 per Flow Shield. Positioned at the outermost ends of the top 13 is an irregular space 14. There are total of two irregular spaces 14. Each irregular space 14 lies flush with the vertical sidewall of the curb 2 and flush with the top of the curb 2. A transverse rib 4 separates each triangular space 10 from the irregular space 14. The triangular spaces 10 in conjunction with the irregular spaces 14 form the sides 8 of the Flow Shield. The triangular spaces 10 and irregular spaces 14 allow water traveling along the curb to enter into the Flow Shield so that the water can be filtered as it enters the storm sewer system.

(11) FIG. 2 depicts the Flow Shield covering a typical double wing curb inlet. The length of the Flow Shield is sufficient to cover the entire length of the double wing curb inlet. In one embodiment, the Flow Shield is approximately 4.42 m long. This length is sufficient to allow the Flow Shield to completely cover the entire inlet. FIG. 3 illustrates the Flow Shield covering a typical combination curb and gutter inlet. The Flow Shield is centered above the grate 20 of the inlet.

(12) FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the Flow Shield. The side 8 connects the top 13 to the bottom toe 5. In one embodiment, the side 8 is approximately 0.68 meters long. The side 8 lies flush against the gutter or road at the point where the side 8 contacts the bottom toe 5. Side 8 is of sufficient length to allow the Flow Shield to fully enclose a gutter grate 20. Side 8 runs horizontally until it contacts the vertical edge of the curb 2. When the side 8 meets the beginning of the vertical section of the curb 2, side 8 curves and runs vertically 0.15 m the height of the curb 2. Once the vertical portion of side 8 is the height of the curb 2, the side 8 curves until the side 8 is horizontal and flush with the curb 2. The top 13 is of sufficient width to allow gravel bags to be placed upon it to secure the Flow Shield over the sewer system inlet. The transverse rib 4 connects the side 8 to the top 13 of the Flow Shield forming the triangular space 10 and the irregular space 14.

(13) The Flow Shield must be secured in position to work properly. This can be performed by anchoring the device with gravel or with tapping screws. FIG. 5 illustrates the Flow Shield anchored to a curb inlet by gravel bags. Once the Flow Shield has been placed in the optimum location, bags of gravel 15 can be quickly positioned onto the top 13 of the Flow Shield. The placement of two or more bags of gravel will anchor the Flow Shield so that it is secured atop the curb inlet to filter runoff. Concrete tap screws may be used to secure the Flow Shield into position. FIG. 6 illustrates the Flow Shield secured onto a curb inlet via concrete tapping screws. The top 13 contains a plurality of circular openings or eyelets 40 running the length of the top 13. Once the Flow Shield has been positioned atop the sewer system inlet, concrete tapping screws can be placed through eyelets 40, which are located on the top 13. Next, the concrete tapping screws can be tapped until they anchor the top 13 to the curb 2. The bottom toe 5 has a plurality of circular openings or eyelets 42 running the length of the toe 5. Concrete tapping screws can be tapped through the eyelets 42 and into the road to secure the Flow Shield.

(14) FIG. 7 illustrates the filter of the Flow Shield. The filter utilizes a combination of non-woven filter fabric or similar high permeable mesh to create a two stage filtration system. The two-step filtration mechanism is achieved by combing a high filtration rate mesh 30 with a high flow rate mesh 32. The high filtration mesh 30 runs the length of the bottom toe 5 and along the sides 8 of the Flow Shield. The high filtration mesh creates the vertical portion of the filtering system. The high flow rate mesh 32 runs the length of the top 13 of the device and creates the horizontal portion of the filtering system. The filter fabric fits over the grid completely covering it. The filter mesh overlaps the structure on all sides with an overlap of approximately 75 to 125 mm. The fabric mesh is secured with clips and/or adhesive along the edge of the grid. Tie wraps may also be utilized to secure the filter to the grid. The filter is removable and should be replaced as needed to properly filter runoff from the construction site. The filter may be constructed so that it can be washed with a water hose and soap. The curved shape of the grid provides the filter with a large surface area to maximize the filtration rate of the Flow Shield.

(15) The first step in filtration removes silt and sedimentation as storm water passes through the high filter mesh 30 at a rate of approximately 6,170 liters per square meters. The first step utilizes filter media 30 with a high sedimentation and silt removal rate. This first step is the primary treatment for the storm water runoff. The second step is utilized in heavy rainfall events or similar events causing large quantities of water runoff. The filter media 32 utilized in the second stage has a high flow rate to remove large floating solids and debris.