Patent US4997312A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4997312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Water backup preventing system and monitoring system therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-01-08
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Granted: 1991-03-05
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Expires: 2010-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A water backup monitoring system for a buried sewer line is provided, the sewer line being provided at a given point therealong with at least one overflow opening into which opening water which cannot be handled by the sewer line will rise and overflow. A manhole extends between the sewer line and the surface and surrounding said overflow opening to permit a man to gain access to the area of said overflow opening. A standpipe in the manhole communicates with the overflow opening, into which standpipe water rises when backflow conditions exist in the sewer line. A backflow-indicating tube is provided outside of this standpipe, and into which backflow water flows from the overflow opening so that the water in the backflow-indicating tube and the standpipe are at the same level. The tube provides an indication of the level of the water therein. A one-way valve in the tube permits water to rise in the tube, but prevents it from draining therefrom. When flow conditions abate and water drains from the standpipe, a permanent record remains in the tube of the level to which the water rose in the standpipe.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick Regan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:20
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03F; E03F5/00; E03F5/10; E03F5/101; E03F5/105; E03F5/107; E03F5/22; E03F7/00; E03F7/02; E03F7/04; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/30; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A water backup monitoring system for a ground buried sewer line, the sewer line being provided at a given point therealong with at least one overflow opening into which opening water which cannot be handled by the sewer line will rise and overflow, a manhole extending between said sewer line and the surface and surrounding said overflow opening to permit a man to gain access to the area of said overflow opening, a standpipe in said manhole communicating with said overflow opening, into which standpipe water rises when backflow conditions exist in the sewer line, a backflow indicating tube on the outside of the standpipe and into which backflow indicating tube water flows from said overflow opening so that the water in the backflow indicating tube and the standpipe are at the same level, said tube providing an indication of the level of the water therein, and a one-way valve means in said tube which permits water to rise in said tube to prevent such water from draining therefrom, so that when overflow conditions abate and water drains from said standpipe a permanent record remains in said tube of the level to which the water rose in said standpipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A water backup monitoring system for a ground buried sewer line, the sewer line being provided at a given point therealong with at least one overflow opening into which opening water which cannot be handled by the sewer line will rise and overflow, a manhole extending between said sewer line and the surface and surrounding said overflow opening to permit a man to gain access to the area of said overflow opening, a standpipe in said manhole communicating with said overflow opening, into which standpipe water rises when backflow conditions exist in the sewer line, a backflow indicating tube on the outside of the standpipe and into which backflow indicating tube water flows from said overflow opening so that the water in the backflow indicating tube and the standpipe are at the same level, said tube providing an indication of the level of the water therein, and a one-way valve means in said tube which permits water to rise in said tube to prevent such water from draining therefrom, so that when overflow conditions abate and water drains from said standpipe a permanent record remains in said tube of the level to which the water rose in said standpipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein alarm means are provided above ground level for indicating to a person above ground level that backflow conditions have occurred at the location involved, and manually operable means for draining water in said backflow indicating tube to reset the system to indicate a new backup condition developing in the sewer line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
A water backup monitoring system for a ground buried sewer line, the sewer line being provided at a given point therealong with at least one overflow opening into which opening water which cannot be handled by the sewer line will rise and overflow, a backflow chamber disposed above and communicating with said overflow opening, into which chamber water rises when backflow conditions exist in the sewer line, means for providing an indication of the level of the water in said chamber, and a one-way valve means for permitting water to rise in said chamber and for preventing such water from draining therefrom, so that when overflow conditions abate a permanent record remains in said chamber of the level to which the water rose.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
A water backup monitoring system for a ground buried sewer line, the sewer line being provided at a given point therealong with at least one overflow opening into which opening water which cannot be handled by the sewer line will rise and overflow, a backflow chamber disposed above and communicating with said overflow opening, into which chamber water rises when backflow conditions exist in the sewer line, means for providing an indication of the level of the water in said chamber, and a one-way valve means for permitting water to rise in said chamber and for preventing such water from draining therefrom, so that when overflow conditions abate a permanent record remains in said chamber of the level to which the water rose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitoring system of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said chamber is transparent to provide a visible indication of the level of water therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The monitoring system of claim 4 wherein said chamber is a generally vertically oriented tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The monitoring system of claim 3 including reset means for draining water from said chamber to reset the system to indicate a later backup condition developing in the sewer line.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-03-04 | 1994-09-03 | 1995-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-04 | 1998-09-03 | 1999-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-04 | 2002-09-03 | 2003-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |