Self-flushing pipe

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/112,593, filed on Dec. 17, 1998 in Express Mail Label No. EL239180520 by the same inventor, Joseph Bevilacqua, entitled SELF-FLUSHING PIPE.

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for drainage pipes for basement waterproofing systems, and more specifically, to methods and apparatuses for providing a self-flushing pipe for use with a basement waterproofing system.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] The related art deals with providing waterproofing systems to eliminate water from a basement. Some prior art waterproofing systems use a porous cylindrical pipe mounted below the level of a basement floor to aid in eliminating water from a basement. The pipe is positioned below and around the perimeter of the basement floor.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,722 discloses a drainage system for basements, which was also invented by the present inventor. In this drainage system, a drainage pipe having a rectangular or square cross-section and a plurality of openings located at lower sidewall portions is used. These openings allow water to flow into the pipe from the surrounding area, thus eliminating water on the basement floor. The above-mentioned pipe reduces and/or eliminates water problems.

[0008] While other waterproofing systems require excavation and back filling of the exterior perimeter of the house, the above-mentioned drainage system allows waterproofing to be performed inexpensively from inside of the structure.

[0009] However, in any waterproofing system, particulate material, such as gravel, dirt, and other debris may flow into a waterproofing pipe. This debris, and the accumulation thereof, decreases the efficiency of the water flow through the pipe. Obstruction of the drainage pipe hinders its performance in channeling water away from the foundation of the structure. Consequently, it is desirable to flush out the drainage pipe to remove the particulate material causing this obstruction. The invention described herein is designed to overcome the foregoing difficulties of debris accumulation in a drainage pipe and provide better and more advantageous overall results.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved drainage pipe is provided eliminating the inherent problems with the related art, as discussed above. The drainage pipe of the present invention is submerged within the perimeter of the basement floor. The pipe has an opening allowing water to enter the pipe from an area surrounding the foundation of the structure. The drainage pipe directs water away from the foundation of the structure. Thereafter, the water is delivered out of an end of the drainage pipe, typically into a drainage sewer or culvert.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a drainage apparatus for use in a waterproofing system comprises a hollow drainage pipe having a length, an upper interior surface, an outlet, and a plurality of spaced openings therein; and, cleaning means affixed to the upper interior surface.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the cross-sectional profile of the drainage pipe is rectangular.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the drainage pipe comprises an upper section having an inverted U-shaped cross-sectional profile, the upper section including the upper interior surface; a lower section having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile; and, embracing means for selectively securing the upper section to the lower section.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the cleaning means comprises a tube having a plurality of spaced holes therein.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the tube has a length generally equal to the length of the drainage pipe.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the drainage apparatus further comprises extension means extending from a first end of the tube.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, at least some of the plurality of spaced holes in the tube are aligned with at least some of the plurality of spaced openings in the drainage pipe.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, at least some of the plurality of spaced holes are angled relative to a plane of the upper interior surface.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for clearing debris from a hollow drainage pipe having a length, an upper interior surface, an outlet, and a plurality of spaced openings therein wherein the drainage pipe is used in a waterproofing system. The method includes the steps of providing cleaning means affixed to the interior surface.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprising the step of causing a fluid to flow into the tube and exit through the plurality of spaced holes to force the debris through the plurality of spaced openings in the drainage pipe.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the cleaning means further comprises an extension means at a first end of the tube, the extension means being adapted for use with an associated fluid source, the method further comprising the step of attaching the extension means to the fluid source.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for assembling a drainage apparatus for use in a waterproofing system wherein the drainage apparatus comprises a drainage pipe having an upper section, a lower section, and embracing means for selectively securing the upper section to the lower section; and, cleaning means comprising a tube having a plurality of spaced holes therein. The method comprises the steps of affixing the tube to an interior surface of the upper section of the drainage pipe; placing the upper section and the lower section in predetermined relationship to each other; and, employing the embracing means to selectively secure the upper section to the lower section.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the step of aligning at least some of the plurality of spaced holes in the tube with at least some of the plurality of the spaced openings.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the method further comprising the step of affixing the extension means to a first end of the tube.

[0025] One advantage of the present invention is that debris can be easily and quickly removed from the interior of a drainage pipe.

[0026] Another advantage of the present invention is that an extension of the cleaning means can be readily adapted for use with a garden hose or pressurized air source.

[0027] Another advantage of the invention is that the drainage pipe may be formed of interconnecting U-shaped pieces, allowing for easy attachment of the cleaning tube to the interior surface of the upper section.

[0028] Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

[0029] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 is an end view of the pipe of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 is an end view of the upper section of the pipe of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention; and,

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the flushing means.

[0034] Referring now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a hollow drainage pipe 10 having an interior surface 11 for use in a waterproofing system. The drainage pipe 10 includes a plurality of openings 26 therein for allowing water from outside the drainage pipe 10 to enter the drainage pipe 10 and flow to a drainage site.

[0035] In the present invention, means are provided to remove and or dislodge debris which may accumulate in the drainage pipe 10 and clog the openings 26. Generally, the cleaning means 28 is affixed to the interior surface 11, spaced from the lowermost part of drainage pipe 10. As will be described in further detail below, the cleaning means 28 directs fluid such as air or water toward the interior surface 11 of the drainage pipe 10 in order to remove and or dislodge any accumulated debris.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the drainage pipe 10 is preferably rectangular in cross section, however, alternative shapes are within the scope of this invention. In the preferred embodiment, the drainage pipe 10 includes an upper section 12 shown in FIG. 2. The upper section 12 overlaps lower section 13 as shown in FIG. 3. The upper section 12 is an inverted U-shape having sides 14, 16 and a top portion 18. The lower section 13 is U-shaped having sidewalls 20, 22 and base portion 24. In the preferred embodiment, the side sections 14, 16 of the upper section 12 overlap the sidewalls 20, 22 of the lower section 13. Preferably, the drainage pipe 10 includes an embracing means 50 to maintain contact between side sections 14, 16 and sidewalls 20, 22. The embracing means 50 grips or secures the upper section 12 to the lower section 13. The embracing means 50 is shown in its preferred embodiment in FIG. 2 as ridges that extend inwardly from sides 14, 16. It is within the scope of this invention that embracing means 50 comprise a means to either rigidly attach or provide secure closure of the upper and lower sections 12, 13. The objects of the present invention can also be accomplished by a drainage pipe that is comprised of only one piece.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment, the sidewalls 20, 22 have openings 26 located along their lower portions. These openings 26 allow the water to flow into the pipe 10.

[0038] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention includes cleaning means 28 for providing a means to eliminate debris and the like, which may accumulate within the interior portion of the pipe 10. As water enters the pipe 10 through openings 26, debris may be deposited on the base 24, along sidewalls 20, 22 and in the areas where sidewalls 20, 22 meet base 24. Preferably, the cleaning means 28 comprises a tube 30 that is affixed to an interior surface 11 of the upper section 12. The tube 30 has an associated length that conforms generally to the length of the drain pipe 10. Preferably, the inside diameter of the tube 30 is in the range of 0.375 inches (9.525 mm) to 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) and, in its most preferred embodiment, 0.625 inches (15.875 mm). The most preferred diameter given above is the diameter of a standard garden hose. The tube 30 has small holes 32 located along its length such that when a fluid is forced through the tube 30, the fluid exits from theses holes 32. In one embodiment of the invention, the fluid forces debris to move toward an end 34 of the pipe 10. FIG. 3 shows the spray of fluid 27 out of the holes 32 and its downward direction. The pressure at which the fluid sprays out of the holes 32 is dependent upon the size of the holes 32 and the fluid pressure. Preferably the diameter of each hole 32 is in the range of 0.0156 inches (0.397 mm) to 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) and, in its most preferred embodiment, 0.03125 inches (0.794 mm). With reference again to FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, several of the holes 32 are configured such that the fluid sprays out of the tube 30 at a predetermined angle 33 measured with respect to the plane of top portion 18. The holes 32 may be located anywhere along the perimeter and length of the pipe 10. This angled spray 27 acts to push the debris along the base 24 of the pipe 10 and out an end 34 of the pipe 10 and into a drainage sewer or culvert (not shown). In the most preferred embodiment, angle 33 measures +45°. It is envisioned that the current invention cleans out the entire interior of the pipe 10, including the corners 21 and 23 formed at the intersections of sidewalls 20 and 22 with the base portion 24.

[0039] Alternatively, rather than forcing the debris along the length of the pipe 10 and out an end 34, an alternate embodiment contemplates positioning the holes 32 within the tube 30 such that the debris is simply forced out of the openings 26 located along the lower portions of sidewalls 20, 22. In this embodiment, the holes 32 are spaced at predetermined increments to provide optimum cleaning of the pipe 10. Preferably, the holes 32 are spaced at increments along the length of the tube such that they are aligned with the openings 26. For example, the holes 32 may be placed at six-inch (15.24 cm) increments for use with a pipe 10 having side openings 26 also spaced at six-inch (15.24 cm) intervals. Utilization of cleaning means 28 therefore aids the flow of debris out of the holes 26. In order to force the debris out of openings 26, it is important that holes 32 be properly aligned. Of course, additional holes 32 may be formed in tube 30 at intermediate positions. Thus, depending upon the method used to clean the pipe 10, the size and/or number of the holes 32 can be increased or decreased.

[0040] The cleaning means 28 can take on a variety of shapes and configurations. In its preferred embodiment, however, the tube 30 of the cleaning means 28 is connected to an extension means 40 which allows a fluid source, such as a garden hose, to attach to the cleaning means 28. Alternatively, the extension means 40 can be comprised within the cleaning means 28, such as a male or female thread portion. FIG. 4 shows a garden hose 42 attached to the cleaning means 28. Furthermore, in addition to connecting a water source to the system, the current invention contemplates other sources which can be utilized to remove debris from the pipe 10. For example, an air pressure hose can be connected to the cleaning means 28. Thus, by providing air pressure within the pipe 10 the debris may be moved towards the exit area 34 and/or openings 26 of the pipe 10.

[0041] In operation, the extension means 40 can be connected to one end of the cleaning means 28. For example, the extension means 40 may be housed within a panel of the basement wall. To clean out the pipe 10, the panel would be removed exposing the extension means 40 and a water or air hose is then coupled to the extension means 40. Depending upon how the holes 32 are configured, once the air or water supply is turned “on” the debris within the pipe will be forced along the length of the pipe 10 and forced out an end 34 of the pipe 10 or out of openings 26 within the sidewalls 20, 22 of the pipe 10. Once the debris has been satisfactorily removed from the pipe 10, the water or air hose can be detached from the extension means 40 and the panel within the basement wall can be closed.

[0042] An alternative embodiment of the current invention envisions the flushing source 42 permanently connected to the cleansing means 28. The flushing source may be controllable by a control means such as a valve. Thus, when the valve is open, cleansing means 28 is filled with water or air and this water or air exits through the holes 32 of the cleansing means 28 and forces debris out of the pipe and into catch basin or sewer.

[0043] The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.