Universal Baseplate with Tabs

This disclosure relates generally to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid runoff management. In particular, this disclosure relates to an underground draining system that includes a base plate, drain basin, and pipe that directs fluid runoff through the system to a downspout drain or storm sewer.

Fluid runoff management systems include systems designed to process rainwater or other fluid runoff, particularly stormwater. Fluid runoff can occur when excess stormwater is no longer able to be absorbed into surrounding soil. Additionally, in more urban areas with less natural landscapes, nonporous surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, prevent the absorption of stormwater. Excess stormwater then floods the surrounding land or flows into surrounding bodies of water, such as creeks, streams, or ponds. Fluid runoff management systems can be used to prevent the buildup of stormwater and to direct stormwater to certain areas. Fluid runoff management systems may include landscaping and site management control, such as eliminating paved surfaces, adding porous pavement, or adding plants to promote absorption of stormwater. Fluid runoff management systems may also include structural elements to direct stormwater away from an area. These structural elements may include a drain basin, catch basin, or sewer.

A fluid runoff management system may include a drain basin for use with an inlet casting. For example, an inlet casting may allow excess stormwater to drain into a drain basin. The drain basin may then be attached to a pipe that delivers the stormwater to a different location. The pipe may deliver the stormwater to a nearby water source or to a water treatment facility. This type of management system may prevent flooding of surrounding areas by removing excess stormwater. Additionally, this type of system may prevent the buildup of pollutants in water because the stormwater will flow into the drain basin instead of yards or roads, where the stormwater could collect contaminants. A fluid runoff system may also include a square or rectangular inlet grate, a base transition plate, a round drain basin, or other types of inlets.

Fluid runoff management systems may be designed to be installed in a variety of applications. Fluid runoff systems may be installed in a structural setting, such as a high-traffic area, around buildings, sidewalks, or other man-made areas. In those situations, an inlet may include a curb inlet, or an inlet placed in a road or sidewalk to collect stormwater. Fluid runoff systems may also be installed in a natural setting. For example, a system may be installed in the ground. In this situation, an inlet may receive runoff from the surrounding land.

Existing fluid runoff management systems may include a curb inlet with a curb opening for accepting stormwater, a drain basin attached to the curb inlet, and a pipe for removing the stormwater from the drain basin. Drain basins may be manufactured in different shapes and sizes and may have different diameters. Additionally, not all drain basins may be manufactured to fit within a curb inlet, which can lead to an increased number of parts being needed to construct a fluid runoff system. Further, there is a risk that a part, specifically a drain basin, may not fit within the fluid runoff system.

Curb inlets may also be manufactured in different shapes, sizes, and materials. A broad range of casting designs may be used to create a curb inlet. Therefore, not all inlets may be designed to fit with a base plate.

Thus, solutions are needed to improve these and other deficiencies in fluid runoff systems. Such solutions should reduce labor and costs by reducing the number of parts needed for a fluid runoff system. Solutions should also include a simplified system that can accommodate multiple different types and sizes of drain basins, including drain basins with varying diameters. Solutions should also include a system that can accommodate a broad range of domestic foundry casting designs for curb inlets. An improved system includes a system that can take domestically produced square and rectangular castings and adapt the castings to round drain basins. Further solutions should allow for ease of assembly and improve of the construction process. Solutions should also be durable and able to withstand different loads and stresses, including loads and stresses that may be encountered in a traffic application. Solutions should also provide more exact connections between the drain basin and curb inlet to prevent fluid from escaping back into the environment once it is captured at the inlet.

The disclosed embodiments describe systems, methods, and devices for managing fluid runoff. These systems, methods, and devices may include the use of a base plate, or the use of a fluid runoff system that includes a base plate. For example, in an embodiment, a base plate may include a plate having a flat surface with an aperture and an outside edge surrounding the flat surface. The flat surface may include an underside and a topside. One or more sets of tabs may be located on the underside of the plate. The base plate may further include a raised lip surrounding the outside edge, wherein the raised lip extends upward from the outside edge. The base plate may further include a flange extending in a horizontal direction away from the raised lip and the flange may define a relatively flat surface to receive an inlet casting.

In an embodiment, one or more sets of tabs may comprise a set of inside tabs and a set of outside tabs.

In an embodiment, the set of inside tabs and the set of outside tabs may project downward relative to the underside of the baseplate.

In an embodiment, the set of inside tabs may comprise four tabs and the set of outside tabs may comprise four tabs.

In an embodiment, the inside tabs may be arranged in a first circular pattern around the aperture. Each tab in the set of inside tabs may be located a first distance equidistant from a center of the aperture. The outside tabs may also be arranged in a second circular pattern around the aperture. The second circular pattern may be located farther away from the aperture than the first circular pattern. Each tab in the set of outside tabs may be located a second distance equidistant from the center of the aperture. The second distance may be greater than the first distance.

In an embodiment, each tab in the set of outside tabs may be located a fixed radial distance from the set of inside tabs.

In an embodiment, each tab in the set of inside tabs may be aligned with each tab in the set of outside tabs.

In an embodiment, each tab in the set of inside tabs may not be aligned with each tab in the set of outside tabs.

In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the first circular pattern may fit an outside diameter of a 24-inch basin.

In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the second circular pattern may fit an outside diameter of a 30-inch basin.

In an embodiment, the flange may include a chamfered edge.

In an embodiment, the flat surface may include four sides. A length of the flange on one side may be longer than a length of the flange on the other sides.

In an embodiment, the base plate may be comprised of ductile iron.

In an embodiment, a fluid runoff system may include an inlet casting. The fluid runoff system may also include a base plate for receiving the inlet casting. The base plate may include a plate having a flat surface with an aperture and an outside edge surrounding the flat surface. The flat surface may include an underside and a topside. One or more sets of tabs may be located on the underside of the plate. The one or more sets of tabs may include a set of inside tabs and a set of outside tabs that project downward relative to the underside of the plate. The one ore most sets of tabs may be comprised of four tabs each. The plate may include a raised lip surrounding the outside edge. The raised lip may extend upward from the outside edge. The plate may include a flange with a chamfered edge extending in a horizontal direction away from the raised lip. The flange may define a relatively flat surface to receive the inlet casting. The fluid runoff system may include a drain basin below the baseplate. The drain basin may have a tubular body. The tubular body may include an inner cavity, an outer surface, and a top end. The plate may include a pipe connected to the tubular body.

In an embodiment, the inside tabs may be arranged in a first circular pattern around the aperture. Each tab in the set of inside tabs may be located a first distance equidistant from a center of the aperture. The outside tabs may also be arranged in a second circular pattern around the aperture. The second circular pattern may be located farther away from the aperture than the first circular pattern. Each tab in the set of outside tabs may be located a second distance equidistant from the center of the aperture. The second distance may be greater than the first distance. Each tab in the set of outside tabs may be located a fixed radial distance from the set of inside tabs. In one embodiment, each tab in the set of inside tabs may be aligned with each tab in the set of outside tabs. In another embodiment, each tab in the set of inside tabs may not be aligned with each tab in the set of outside tabs. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the first circular pattern may fit an outside diameter of a 24-inch basin. In another embodiment, the inner diameter of the second circular pattern may fit an outside diameter of a 30-inch basin. Other diameters may also be used, as is apparent to one skilled in the art.

In an embodiment, the flat surface may include four sides. A length of the flange on one side may be longer than a length of the flange on the other sides.

In an embodiment, the fluid runoff system may include a reducing plate. The reducing plate may have a bottom surface and a top surface. The reducing plate may be located above the drain base and below the base plate.

In an embodiment, the top surface of the reducing plate may connect with a set of outside tabs.

In an embodiment, the bottom surface of the reducing plate may connect with the top end of the drain basin.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments as claimed.

The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the FIG.s, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the FIG. in which the reference number first appears. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. Also, the words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It should also be noted that as used in the present disclosure and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

A need has been recognized to standardize fluid runoff management systems. Existing fluid runoff management systems are comprised of different parts that may be manufactured by different sources. The separate parts of a fluid runoff system may not be sized to fit together. This creates a problem when trying to assemble the system since the parts may be created using different casting designs. Construction and assembly of the fluid runoff system may also be costly and inefficient. A single base plate may be required for each different size of a drain basin, leading to more parts, more labor, and higher costs when assembling a fluid runoff system.

The disclosed embodiments improve these and other deficiencies in fluid runoff management systems, specifically in base plates. For example, solutions are provided to reduce costs and labor by reducing the number of parts needed in a fluid runoff management system. Other improvements may include ensuring that different types and sizes of drain basis will fit within a base plate in a fluid runoff system. Some disclosed embodiments may include a base plate with one or more sets of tabs for connecting with different sized drain basins, allowing a single base plate to be used for a wide range of drain basins. In addition, some disclosed embodiments may include a reducing plate to further accommodate different sized drain basins. Additional improvements may include a base plate that may accept a number of different inlet casting designs. This also allows for a single base plate to accommodate different inlet casting designs.

Reference will now be made in detail to the disclosed embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

depicts a top view of a base plate with two sets of tabs, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Base platemay include a flat surfaceand aperture. Aperturemay be a circular shape or any other shaped opening. Aperturemay be located in the center, left, or right side of flat surface. In some embodiments, base platemay be constructed of ductile iron, plastic and/or any other suitable material. Metal embodiments of base platemay be formed, for example, through casting, molding, sheet metal forming, or any other suitable means. In some embodiments, plateis configured to support structural loads, such as dead and live loads resulting from earthen embankments, surface loads, parking lots, structures, vehicular loads, for example the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) H-20 loading criteria, and/or walking loads. The thickness or gauge of platemay be determined by the structural load bearing requirements needed for the particular plate. Base platemay be painted black and/or any other color.

In some embodiments, base platemay include a flange. Flangemay include a chamfered edge.

depicts a base plateviewed from the side. Base platemay include an outside edgeand a raised lipmay surround the outside edge. Raised lipmay extend upward from the outside edge. Raised lipmay connect with a flange. Flangemay extend in a horizontal direction away from raised lip. Flangemay be configured to define a relatively flat surface for receiving an inlet casting. Flangemay include chamfered edge, shown in. Chamfered edgemay help further define flangefor receiving an inlet casting.

Flat surfacemay include a topsideand an underside. Platemay include tabs,,,, and, that may be located on the undersideof plate. Additionally, platemay include tabs,,, and, shown in. Tabs,,, andmay project downward relative to the undersideof plate. Tabs,,, andmay all have the same width and length or may have different lengths and widths.

depicts a base plateflipped upside down and viewed from the bottom. As shown in, one embodiment of base plateincludes two sets of tabs. In another embodiment, base platemay include,,, or any number of sets of tabs. A set of inside tabs may be comprised of four individual tabs,,, and. Inside tabs,,, andmay be arranged in a first circular pattern around apertureon undersideof flat surface. A set of outside tabs may be comprised of four individual tabs,,, and. Outside tabs,,, andmay be arranged in a second circular pattern around apertureon undersideof flat surface.

Inside tabs,,, andmay each be located at a first distance measured from the center of aperture. For example, each inside tab,,, andmay be located 12 inches from center of aperture. The distance of the first circular pattern created by inside tabs,,, andmay be determined by the first distance measured from the center of the aperture. For example, inside tab,,, andmay be located 12 inches from center of aperture, creating a first circular pattern with a diameter of 24 inches.

Within the first circular pattern, each inside tab,,, andmay be symmetrically spaced. The radial distance between each individual tab,,, andmay depend on the distance the tabs are located from the center of aperture. For example, a first circular pattern with a larger diameter may mean that the tabs are further apart from each other and a first circular pattern with a smaller diameter may mean that the tabs are closer together. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a first circular pattern may have a diameter of 24 inches, and each inside tab,,, andmay be located 12 inches from the center of aperture. Inside tabmay be located a radial distance of 6 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 6 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 6 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 6 inches from inside tab. As another example, a first circular pattern may have a diameter of 20 inches, and each inside tab,,, andmay be located 10 inches from the center of aperture. Inside tabmay be located a radial distance of 5 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 5 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 5 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 5 inches from inside tab.

Outside tabs,,, andmay each be located at a second distance measured from the center of aperture. For example, each of outside tabs,,, andmay be located 15 inches from center of aperture. The distance of the second circular pattern created by outside tabs,,, andmay be determined by the second distance measured from the center of the aperture. For example, outside tabs,,, andmay be located 15 inches from the center of aperture, creating a second circular pattern with a diameter of 30 inches.

Within the second circular pattern, each outside tab,,, andmay be symmetrically spaced. The radial distance between each individual tab,,, andmay depend on the distance the tabs are located from the center of aperture. For example, a second circular pattern with a larger diameter may mean that the tabs are further apart from each other and a second circular pattern with a smaller diameter may mean that the tabs are closer together. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a second circular pattern may have a diameter of 30 inches, and each outside tab,,, andmay be located 15 inches from the center of aperture. Outside tabmay be located a radial distance of 7.5 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 7.5 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 7.5 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 7.5 inches from outside tab. As another example, a second circular pattern may have a diameter of 40 inches, and each outside tab,,, andmay be located 20 inches from the center of aperture. Outside tabmay be located a radial distance of 10 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 10 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 10 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 10 inches from outside tab.

Inside tabs,,, andmay be located a fixed radial distance from outside tabs,,, and. For example, a first circular pattern may have a diameter of 24 inches and a second circular pattern may have a diameter of 30 inches. Inside tabmay be a radial distance of 6 inches from outside tab, inside tabmay be a radial distance of 6 inches from outside tab, inside tabmay be a radial distance of 6 inches from outside tab, and inside tabmay be a radial distance of 6 inches from outside tab. In, inside tabs,,, andmay be aligned with outside tabs,,, and. In another embodiment, inside tabs,,, andmay not be aligned with outside tabs,,, and.

In other embodiments, inside tabs,,, andmay be arranged in a square, rectangular, or other type of pattern. In other embodiments, inside tabs,,, andmay not be symmetrically spaced within the first circular pattern. For example, inside tabmay be located a radial distance of 5 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 2 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 7 inches from inside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 10 inches from inside tab.

In other embodiments, outside tabs,,, andmay be arranged in a square, rectangular, or other type of pattern. In other embodiments, outside tabs,,, andmay not be symmetrically spaced within the second circular pattern. For example, outside tabmay be located a radial distance of 10 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 5 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 9 inches from outside tab, which may be located a radial distance of 6 inches from outside tab.

The dimensions of a first circular pattern formed by inside tabs,,, andmay correspond to a connecting drain basin. For example, the first circular pattern may have a diameter of 24 inches. An outside diameter of a drain basin may have an outside diameter of 24 inches. Inside tabs,,, andmay connect with the drain basin.

The dimensions of a second circular pattern formed by outside tabs,,, andmay correspond to a connecting drain basin. For example, the second circular pattern may have a diameter of 30 inches. An outside diameter of a drain basin may have an outside diameter of 30 inches. Outside tabs,,, andmay connect with the drain basin.

depicts a top view of a base plate with three sets of tabs, consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Base platemay include a flat surfaceand aperture. Aperturemay be a circular shape or any other shaped opening. Aperturemay be located in the center, left, or right side of flat surface. In some embodiments, base platemay be constructed of ductile iron, plastic and/or any other suitable material. Metal embodiments of base platemay be formed, for example, through casting, molding, sheet metal forming, or any other suitable means. In some embodiments, plateis configured to support structural loads, such as dead and live loads resulting from earthen embankments, surface loads, parking lots, structures, vehicular loads, including, for example, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) H-20 loading criteria, and/or walking loads. The thickness or gauge of platemay be determined by the structural load bearing requirements needed for the particular plate. Base platemay include concentric ringsand, described in further detail below. Base platemay be painted black and/or any other color.

In some embodiments, base platemay include a flange. Flangemay include a chamfered edge. Flat surfacemay also include concentric ringsand.

depicts a base plateviewed from the side. Platemay include an outside edgeand a raised lipmay surround the outside edge. Raised lipmay extend upward from the outside edge. Raised lipmay connect with a flange. Flangemay extend in a horizontal direction away from raised lip. Flangemay be configured to define a relatively flat surface for receiving an inlet casting. Flangemay include chamfered edge, shown in. Chamfered edgemay help further define flangefor receiving an inlet casting.