(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Pohler
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`US008523532B1
`
`(54) SEWAGE HANDLING SYSTEM, COVER, AND
`CONTROLS
`
`..
`(75) Inventor: Donald M. Pohler, NorthCh1l1,NY
`(Us)
`
`(73) Assignee: Liberty Pumps, Inc., Bergen,NY (US)
`
`4/1991 Babb et a1. ............. .. 137/315.08
`5,007,450 A *
`3/1992 Shibata et a1.
`5,100,298 A
`5,249,780 A * 10/1993 Forte et al. .................. .. 266/230
`5,343,890 A *
`9/1994 Deutch ....................... .. 137/363
`5,465,455 A 11/1995 Allen
`5,553,794 A
`9/1996 Oliver et a1.
`220/212
`5,586,676 A * 12/1996 Lynd
`5,806,702 A *
`9/1998 Sabo .......................... .. 220/4.12
`5,886,266 A
`3/1999 Stiller et al.
`5,918,535 A *
`7/1999 Moreau ......................... .. 99/413
`5,924,846 A
`7/l999 Arnold et a1‘
`6,059,208 A
`50000 Struthers
`6,103,291 A *
`8/2000 Fernandez Tapia ......... .. 426/523
`6,276,093 B1
`8/2001 Janesky
`6,305,410 B1
`10/2001 Cooketal.
`6,322,326 B1
`11/2001 Davis et a1.
`6,348,657 B1
`2/2002 Haslock et 31.
`6,430,757 B1
`8/2002 Pohler
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Zoeller Pump C0. Bulletin FM2124, Section: 3.10.005, “Preas
`sembled Sump Pump System,” 2 pages.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner * Devon Kramer
`Assistant Examiner * Thomas Pink
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Patent Innovatiobns LLC;
`John M. Hammond
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A basin for use in liquid handling, such as sewage handling.
`The basin is comprised of a bottom Wall, a side Wall, and an
`open top, and a hanging feature formed in the body of the
`basin. A basin assembly for liquid handling may include the
`basin, and a hanging member suspended from the hanging
`feature Within the basin. One or more level switches may be
`attached to the hanging member. A seWage handling system
`may include the basin assembly, a top cover fastenable to the
`open top of the basin, and a pump disposed in the basin.
`
`26 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`
`*
`
`(
`
`~
`
`,
`
`) Not1ce.
`
`~
`
`~
`
`~
`
`-
`
`Sub]ect'to any (31153121111165, the tiermgfthls
`patent 1s exten e or a Juste un er 35
`U.S.C. 15405) by 654 days.
`
`(21) APPLNQ; 12/417567
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 2, 2009
`
`Related US. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 11/ 111,113,
`?led on Apr. 21, 2005, noW Pat. No. 7,563,082, and a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 11/093,133,
`?led on Mar. 29, 2005, noW Pat. No. 7,520,736.
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. C].
`F 043 49/04
`(52) US. Cl.
`USPC ......................... .. 417/40; 417/423.3; 220/735
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search
`USPC .............. .. 417/40, 125, 126, 127, 129, 211.5,
`417/297.5, 423.3; 174/660; 206/562, 563,
`206/564; 220/565, 735; 241/4601, 46.02,
`241/2852
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,198,125 A
`8/1965 Yuzaetal.
`4,080,104 A
`3/1978 Brown, Jr.
`4,095,716 A *
`6/1978 Meany ........................ .. 215/391
`4,246,676 A
`1/1981 Hallsworth etal.
`4,890,425 A
`1/1990 Mamula
`
`Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
`Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,464,531
`B2 10/2002
`Eckert et al.
`Gilmour
`6,555,754
`B2
`4/2003
`6,729,847
`B2
`5/2004
`Rossman
`6,752,287
`B1 *
`6/2004
`Lin .......................... .. 220/2549
`Bogan et al.
`6,772,782
`B2
`8/2004
`6,823,773
`B2 * 11/2004
`SWinford et a1. ............. .. 99/426
`2004/0018094
`A1
`1/2004
`Rossman
`Allen
`2005/0034383
`A1
`2/2005
`Janesky
`2006/0093492
`A1
`5/2006
`Pohler
`2006/0228222
`A1 10/2006
`
`2006/0239829 A1 10/2006 Pohler
`2009/0050721 A1* 2/2009 Werneret a1. ................. .. 241/30
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Zoeller Pump Co. “Crawl Space Pumping system,” from WWW.
`Zoeller.com/Zcopump/products/homeimprove/craWlspace.htrn. Jan
`24, 2005 4 pages.
`Saber Industries, “Saber Sump Pit,” from WWW.saber.Iheengineer.
`com/main1.html. 4 pages.
`Commonly oWned pending U.S. Appl. No. 10/963,191, “Sump
`Enclosure and Assembly,” ?led Oct. 12, 2004.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 0f 15
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
`
`120
`
`198
`
`5199
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 0f 15
`Sheet 2 of 15
`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
`
`o
`
`“
`
`210
`
`20
`
`132
`
`l
`
`130
`
`/100
`
`110
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`112
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`M
`
`120
`
`198
`<-
`
`199/
`
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`a
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 0f 15
`
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`200
`240140 \ 212 213140219
`
`0
`
`‘Cl
`
`‘i
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`140
`134
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`400
`
`Q
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`Q
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`
`130
`
`210
`
`100
`
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`
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`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 0f 15
`Sheet 4 of 15
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`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`400
`—400
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 5 0f 15
`Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`213
`422 22 213
`472 422 22
`472
`
`FIG. 5
`FIG. 5
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 6 0f 15
`Sheet 6 of 15
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`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`350
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 7 0f 15
`Sheet 7 of 15
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`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`215
`215
`
`FIG. 7
`FIG. 7
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 8 0f 15
`Sheet 8 of 15
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`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 9 0115
`Sheet 9 of 15
`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`210
`
`Q
`
`280
`
`240
`
`I
`
`200
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`219
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`341
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`G
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`s
`
`310
`
`Q
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`
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`FIG. 9
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 10 of 15
`Sheet 10 0f 15
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`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`240
`
`213
`
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`476
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`474
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`
`472
`
`470
`
`411
`
`FIG. 10
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 11 0115
`Sheet 11 of 15
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`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`FIG. 11
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 12 0f 15
`Sheet 12 of 15
`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
`
`132
`
`152
`
`414 15s
`
`64
`
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`160
`
`101
`
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`
`154
`
`102
`
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`FIG. 12
`
`
`
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 13 0f 15
`Sheet 13 of 15
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`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`152
`
`FIG. 13
`FIG. 13
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2013
`Sep. 3, 2013
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`Sheet 14 0f 15
`Sheet 14 of 15
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`US 8,523,532 B1
`US 8,523,532 B1
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2013
`
`Sheet 15 0f 15
`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`
`<— 415
`
`f
`420
`
`FIG. 14D
`
`C
`
`M
`
`311
`
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`O
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`

`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`
`1
`SEWAGE HANDLING SYSTEM, COVER, AND
`CONTROLS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly
`owned copending US. patent application Ser. No. 11/093,
`133, and commonly oWned copending US. patent application
`Ser. No. 11/111,113, the disclosures of Which are incorpo
`rated herein by reference.
`This invention relates in one embodiment to a liquid vessel
`and a cover thereof, and more particularly to a seWage han
`dling system, a cover for a sewage basin, and control acces
`sories disposed therein.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`A seWage handling system, a cover assembly for a seWage
`basin, a basin assembly, and control accessories disposed
`Within a seWage basin for receiving and distributing seWage
`via a pump housed in the basin.
`2. Description of Related Art
`In general, seWage may be distributed from a seWage
`source to a desired location by gravity ?oW or by pumping.
`For example, for residential seWage, all sources of seWage in
`the residence may be located higher than the public seWer or
`septic tank connection, and the seWage may be transported to
`the connection solely by gravity ?oW. HoWever, if a seWage
`source is located at a loWer elevation than the seWer line
`connection as often occurs, it becomes necessary to pump
`seWage uphill to the connection. For example, a toilet may be
`installed in a bathroom located in a basement Where the seWer
`line connection is located higher than the toilet.
`SeWage basin assemblies may be installed to deliver seW
`age from a source to the desired seWer line connection. These
`assemblies typically include a container having an inlet,
`Where seWage is received from the seWage source, and a pump
`for pumping received seWage to an outlet of the container, the
`outlet for connection to a seWer line leading to the public
`seWer or septic tank. For example, Liberty Pumps of Bergen,
`N.Y. manufactures and sells seWage basin assemblies as the
`“370-Series” that comprise a polyethylene basin With an inlet
`nub adapted to be connected to a seWage source, a cover for
`the top of the basin, a pump mounted in the basin, and an
`outlet pipe extending from the pump to outside the cover.
`Such basins are rotationally molded in a multi-part mold
`having a part-line parallel to the basin bottom that dissects the
`body inlet nub. The various components also may be sold
`individually for custom assembly at a job site. The basin may
`be installed immediately beneath the foundation, for
`example, such that the top of the basin is ?ush With the
`foundation slab, or located underground beyond the founda
`tion and back?lled With soil. In either case, the inlet to the
`ejector system is in connection With the seWage source, and
`the outlet is in connection With a line running to the public
`seWer, a septic tank or alternate seWage treatment device.
`Heretofore, certain patents and publications have disclosed
`seWage basin assemblies, and related structures such as US.
`Pat. No. 6,305,410 of Cook et al., the disclosure of Which is
`incorporated herein by reference. This patent discloses a seW
`age ejector system including a basin and top cover. The basin
`body thereof includes a generally cylindrical Wall, a closed
`bottom, and an open top.
`US. Pat. No. 6,430,757 of Pohler discloses a self-con
`tained bathroom Waste collection and disposal unit having a
`
`20
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`30
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`40
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`50
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`60
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`65
`
`2
`reservoir con?gured to operably retain a pump and a ?oat
`operated sWitch. The reservoir cooperates With a primary
`cover having plumbing and electrical access ports, and a
`secondary cover free of connecting ports that is readily
`removed to permit convenient access to the reservoir, includ
`ing the sWitch (e.g., to replace the sWitch) and the pump inlet
`(e.g., to remove clogs). The unit further includes integral,
`molded features for retaining the sWitch and pump in an
`operable position, such as e.g., a boss on the cover prevents
`displacement of the pump, and molded-in torque stops pre
`vent rotational movement of the pump; thereby absorbing the
`torque of the pump as it operates and correspondingly reduc
`ing stress on plumbing joints. The unit further includes
`molded-in strengthening collars and recesses sized to assist in
`transporting and installing the unit.
`Although these and other seWage basin assemblies may
`operate in a satisfactory manner With respect to the basic
`seWage handling function, there is a need for better accessi
`bility to the internal components of the seWage basins, and for
`a greater ease of assembly and adjustability of certain com
`ponents. Opportunities remain for improvement of seWage
`basin assemblies in order to address problems heretofore
`unsolved. There is a need for a seWage basin assembly having
`in particular a cover that provides improved fastening means,
`gaskets and seals, electrical connections, and plumbing con
`nections, in order to simplify the installation, plumbing, Wir
`ing, and general assembly thereof. There is also a need to
`provide a seWage handling system having a loWer height such
`that in circumstances in Which such enclosure is to be placed
`in a pit, such pit may be relatively shalloW, thereby enabling
`installation of such enclosure in a location Where the soil
`depth is minimal, or Where the pit must be heWn in bedrock.
`There is also a need to provide a seWage handling system
`having modular electrical control components and mounting
`hardWare therefor, in order to simplify and reduce the time of
`assembly of such components into the seWage handling sys
`tem.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In the present disclosure, one or more of these needs are
`met by providing a basin assembly comprised of a body
`comprising a bottom Wall, a side Wall, and an open top; a
`hanging feature formed in the body of the basin; and a hang
`ing member suspended from the hanging feature Within the
`body of the basin. The hanging feature of the basin and the
`hanging member may have various forms. The folloWing are
`meant to be illustrative of such forms, and not limiting.
`The hanging feature may be comprised of a vertical cavity,
`and the hanging member comprised of an elongated vertical
`section extending through the vertical cavity. The hanging
`feature may further include a horizontal portion, With the
`hanging member comprised of an elongated vertical section
`extending from an upper horizontal section, With the upper
`horizontal section disposed in the horizontal portion of the
`hanging feature. The horizontal portion of the hanging feature
`may be a horizontal channel. The hanging member may be a
`hook-shaped hanger rod including the upper horizontal sec
`tion thereof disposed in the horizontal channel. The hanging
`feature may be comprised of an arcuate channel transitioning
`to the ?rst vertical cavity, With the hanging member being
`comprised of an elongated vertical section extending from an
`arcuate-shaped upper section disposed in the arcuate channel
`of the hanging feature. In another embodiment, the hanging
`feature is comprised of a recessed pocket formed around a
`vertical cavity, and the hanging member is comprised of a
`
`

`
`US 8,523,532 B1
`
`3
`?ange disposed in the recessed pocket and an elongated ver
`tical section extending through the vertical cavity.
`The open top of the basin may include an annular ?ange,
`With the hanging feature formed in a shelf extending inWardly
`from the annular ?ange. The shelf and annular ?ange may be
`comprised of a doWnWardly extending lip Which provides
`structural strength to the shelf and ?ange. Alternatively, the
`shelf including the hanging feature may extend inWardly from
`the side Wall of the basin.
`The basin assembly may be used for the handling of seW
`age or other liquids. In such applications, the liquid handling
`system is comprised of a basin assembly as described above,
`and a top cover fastenable to the open top of the basin. The
`open top of the basin may be comprised of an annular ?ange
`having a ?at region, With the top cover being comprised of a
`perimeter including a loWer annular edge surface fastenable
`to the annular ?ange. The top cover may include a ?ange
`surrounding an opening therein, With an access cover remov
`ably secured to the ?ange. The basin assembly may further
`comprise at least one level sWitch attached to the hanging
`member. The basin assembly may be further comprised of a
`pump disposed therein. The pump may be operatively con
`nected by a discharge pipe to an opening in the top cover or in
`the basin side Wall.
`In accordance With the present disclosure, there is further
`provided a cover assembly for covering a vessel. The cover
`assembly comprises a main cover comprising a perimeter
`including a loWer annular edge surface fastenable to an annu
`lar ?ange of a basin, at least a ?rst opening connectable to a
`pipe, and a second opening surrounded by a ?rst ?at ?ange.
`An access cover is removably secured to the ?rst ?at ?ange of
`the main cover and comprises an engagement feature. The
`hanging or engagement feature may be comprised of a ?rst
`vertical cavity and may further include a horiZontal channel.
`A hook-shaped hanger rod may be engaged With the engage
`ment feature of the access cover. The main cover may be
`comprised of at least one retaining member that is proximate
`to the hanging member When the access cover is ?tted to the
`main cover. A liquid handling system including the above
`cover assembly may further include a basin for receiving a
`liquid, the basin comprising a body comprised of a bottom
`Wall, a side Wall, and an open top; and a level sWitch assembly
`comprising a hanging member engaged With the hanging
`feature of the access cover, and at least one level sWitch
`attached to the hanging member.
`In another embodiment of a cover assembly of the present
`disclosure, the engagement or hanging feature may be com
`prised of a recessed pocket formed in one of the main cover
`and the access cover, With the hanging member comprising an
`elongated vertical section extending from an upper ?ange.
`The upper ?ange may be disposed in the recessed pocket of
`the engagement feature. In yet another embodiment of a cover
`assembly of the present disclosure, the engagement feature
`may be formed in one of the main cover and the access cover
`and may comprise an arcuate channel transitioning to a ver
`tical cavity, With the hanger rod comprising an elongated
`vertical section extending from an arcuate-shaped upper sec
`tion. The arcuate-shaped upper section may be disposed in the
`arcuate channel of the engagement feature.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
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`
`Embodiments in the present disclosure Will be described
`by reference to the folloWing draWings, in Which like numer
`als refer to like elements, and in Which:
`
`65
`
`4
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of one embodiment of a seW
`age handling system including a basin, a structural cover, and
`a protective cover;
`FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective vieW of the seW
`age handling system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a cutaWay perspective vieW of the seWage han
`dling system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective vieW of the seWage
`handling system cover and ?oat sWitch assemblies depicted in
`FIG. 2;
`FIG. 5 is a cutaWay perspective vieW of the main cover of
`FIG. 4 shoWn With the ?oat support hanger rod of FIG. 4
`engaged thereWith;
`FIG. 6 is a top vieW of the main cover and ?oat sWitch
`assemblies of FIG. 4, With the access cover removed from
`such main cover;
`FIG. 7 is a perspective vieW of the main cover and ?oat
`sWitch assemblies of FIG. 2, taken from a vantage point beloW
`the loWer portion of the main cover;
`FIG. 8 is a top vieW of the main cover assembly of FIG. 2
`in a fully assembled state;
`FIG. 9 is a perspective vieW of the main cover and ?oat
`sWitch assemblies of FIG. 2 in a fully assembled state, taken
`from a vantage point that depicts the cord passageWays there
`through;
`FIG. 10 is a side vieW of the main cover and ?oat sWitch
`assemblies of FIG. 2 in a fully assembled state;
`FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective vieW of a seWage han
`dling system including a basin comprised of an integral hang
`ing feature;
`FIG. 12 is a cutaWay perspective vieW of the basin of the
`seWage handling system of FIG. 11, shoWing a level sWitch
`assembly comprised of a hanging member engaged With the
`hanging feature of the basin;
`FIG. 13 is a top vieW ofthe basin ofFIG. 12, including the
`level sWitch assembly and the hanging member;
`FIG. 14A is a loWer perspective vieW of an access cover of
`a cover assembly, including a hanging feature formed in the
`access cover;
`FIG. 14B is a bottom vieW ofthe access cover ofFIG. 14A,
`taken along the line 14B-14B of FIG. 14A;
`FIG. 14C is a perspective vieW of a cover assembly, includ
`ing the access cover of FIG. 14A, taken from substantially the
`same vantage point as in FIG. 14A; and
`FIG. 14D is a side elevation vieW of the cover assembly of
`FIG. 14C, taken along the line 14D-14D of FIG. 14C.
`The inventions disclosed herein Will be described in con
`nection With preferred embodiments. HoWever, it Will be
`understood that there is no intent to limit the inventions to the
`embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover
`all alternatives, modi?cations, and equivalents as may be
`included Within the spirit and scope of the inventions as
`de?ned by the appended claims.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`For a general understanding of the present disclosure, ref
`erence is made to the draWings. In the draWings, like refer
`ence numerals have been used throughout to designate iden
`tical elements.
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of one embodiment of a seW
`age handling system including a basin, a structural cover, and
`a protective cover; FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective
`vieW of the seWage handling system of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is
`a cutaWay perspective vieW of the seWage handling system of
`FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 seWage handling system 10
`comprises a seWage basin 100, cover assembly 200, and ?oat
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`US 8,523,532 B1
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`switch assembly 400. Basin 100 contains a pump 20 to Which
`is connected a discharge pipe 30, that in turn is connected to
`an outlet port 214 in main cover 210.
`After assembly of seWage handling system 10 at a manu
`facturing site, and prior to shipping, seWage basin assembly
`10 may be ?tted With protective cover 80, Which provides
`protection to the cover assembly 200 of basin assembly 10
`during shipping and during installation. The function of pro
`tective cover 80, and the preferred materials of construction
`thereof are substantially the same as disclosed in commonly
`oWned pending application U.S. Ser. No. l0/963,l9l the dis
`closure of Which is incorporated herein by reference.
`The general spatial relationships and functions of vessel or
`basin 100, pump 20, discharge pipe 30, and cover 210 are
`substantially the same as is described in Us. Pat. No. 6,305,
`410 of Cook et al. Basin 100 is preferably betWeen about 18
`and 36 inches high. In one preferred embodiment depicted in
`FIGS. 1-3, basin 100 is provided With a height of about 24
`inches. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, basin 100 is
`preferably also provided With at least one ?at 110 and/ or one
`hub 112 for connection of inlet piping thereto. In one pre
`ferred embodiment, basin 100 is further provided With a net
`Work of facets 120 formed in the Wall and around the circum
`ference thereof, effectively forming a structure having
`vertical ribs as indicated by bidirectional arroW 199, as Well as
`horizontal ribs as indicated by bidirectional arroW 198, for
`even greater structural strength. Basin 100 is generally
`shorter in height than other seWage basins and thus has the
`advantage of a compact shape, Which enables the use thereof
`in locations Where the soil depth above bedrock or other
`subsurface obstructions (roots, buried cables and/or utility
`piping, etc.) is less than about thirty inches.
`Cover 210 is preferably fastened to a ?at region 132 of
`annular ?ange 134 formed at the upper edge 130 of basin 100
`by the use of bolts 140 Which pass through holes 280 (see also
`FIG. 8) in cover 210, or other suitable fastening means. In one
`preferred embodiment, basin 100 is provided With threaded
`inserts 142 molded into ?ange 134, for engagement With
`fasteners 140. Cover 210 is preferably provided With holes to
`accept either 8 or 16 equally spaced fasteners around the
`perimeter thereof for securing cover 210 to basin 100.
`Cover assembly 200 and cover 210 are further provided
`With numerous advantageous features to be described pres
`ently With reference in particular to FIGS. 3, 4, and 8. FIG. 4
`is an exploded perspective vieW of the seWage handling sys
`tem depicting cover assembly 200, and FIG. 8 is a top vieW of
`the system cover assembly 200 in a fully assembled state.
`Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 8, cover assembly 200 comprises
`main cover 210 and access/ inspection cover 310. Main cover
`210 is provided With a ?at ?ange 220 formed therein having
`a plurality of holes 222 and threaded inserts 224 (see also FIG.
`5) molded into ?ange 220. Access cover 310 is also provided
`With a ?at ?ange 320 having a plurality of holes 322 formed
`therein, such that access cover 310 may be secured to main
`cover 210 by bolts 380 When ?ange 320 is mated With ?ange
`220. The ?ange 220 may have shapes and orientations other
`than that depicted in FIGS. 3,4, and 8. For example, the ?ange
`220 may have a conical shape, or a radiused shape, With the
`corresponding mating ?ange 320 of the access cover 310
`having a matching shape such that the access cover 310 can be
`?tted to the ?ange 220.
`Cover assembly 200 further comprises a gasket 350 that is
`disposed betWeen main cover 210 and access cover 310 to
`provide a liquid tight seal betWeen such covers. The gasket
`may be pre-formed to a shape that matches the respective
`?anges 220 and 320 of the main cover 210 and the access
`cover 310. Cover assembly 200 further comprises another
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`gasket 250 that is disposed betWeen main cover 210 and ?at
`region 132 of ?ange 134 of basin 100 for a liquid tight seal
`therebetWeen. For the sake of simplicity of illustration in FIG.
`4, gasket 250 is shoWn above cover 210; hoWever, it is to be
`understood that gasket 250 is disposed beneath cover 210
`When cover 210 is fastened to basin 100.
`In the preferred embodiment, cover assembly 200 further
`comprises a lip seal 252 that seals discharge pipe 32 (see FIG.
`2) to outlet opening 214. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 in
`particular, outlet opening 214 of main cover 210 is formed as
`an elongated cylinder 215 that is reinforced by gussets 217.
`Outlet opening 214 further comprises a holloW socket 223
`into Which discharge pipe 30 is inserted during assembly of
`system 10. Lip seal 252 is disposed in cylindrical recess 225
`and around discharge pipe 30, thereby sealing discharge pipe
`30 to cover 210.
`When seWage handling system 100 is installed and in
`operation, access cover 310 is easily removed from cover 210
`Without the need for disconnection of any piping or electrical
`components. Access cover 310 thus provides ready access to
`?oat sWitch assembly 400 (to be described subsequently
`herein) and to pump 20, and for general inspection of the
`contents and condition of basin 100. Access cover 310 is
`easily replaced and resealed to main cover 210 When the need
`for access to basin 100 is ?nished.
`In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8, cover 210
`is depicted as being provided With threaded outlet openings
`212 and 214, such as eg 2 inch pipe thread. Other suitable
`pipe connections may also be used, such as is described and
`shoWn in FIGS. 22A-23 of commonly oWned U.S. provi
`sional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 60/487,953 of Cook et
`al., the disclosure of Which is incorporated herein by refer
`ence.
`Cover 210 is further provided With tWo ?at recessed areas
`216 and 218 to Which product identi?cation labels, such as
`e.g., label 219 ofFIG. 3 may be fastened. Cover 210 is further
`provided With a plurality of ribs 240 disposed around the
`outer region thereof in the radial direction, Which provide
`additional structural strength to cover 210. The upper surfaces
`of ribs 240 are preferably sloped upWardly from the outer
`perimeter 211 to the ?at region 213 of cover 210. This upWard
`slope is best seen With reference to FIG. 10, and provides
`greater strength to Withstand vertical loads upon cover 210.
`One of the more advantageous features of cover assembly
`200 is the provision of cord sealing means integrated therein.
`This provision has eliminated the need for separate cord
`sealing ?ttings to be provided in cover assembly 200. In one
`preferred embodiment, such cord sealing means is provided
`in the interface betWeen main cover 210, access cover 310,
`and gasket 350 disposed therebetWeen, and is best understood
`With reference in particular to FIGS. 4, 5, and 9. FIG. 5 is a
`cutaWay perspective vieW of main cover 210 of FIG. 4 shoW
`ing a portion of the cord sealing means, and FIG. 9 is a
`perspective vieW of cover assembly 200 in a fully assembled
`state, taken from a vantage point that depicts the cord pas
`sageWays through the cord sealing means thereof, and the
`cords disposed therein. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, main
`cover 210 is provided With a plurality of cord grooves in
`Which cords such as e.g., cords 22, 422, and 472 may be
`disposed. In the preferred embodiment, main cover 210 is
`provided With loWer cord grooves 262 and upper cord grooves
`264, With the loWer cord grooves being beneath the level of
`?ange 220, and the upper cord grooves extending at an
`upWard angle from near the level of ?ange 220 upWardly to
`the level of top surface 213 of cover 210.
`A gap is provided betWeen the upper extremity of loWer
`cord grooves 262 and the loWer extremity of upper cord
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`US 8,523,532 B1
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`7
`grooves 264. In this gap there is formed a pocket 266 for
`receiving and holding a cord sealing portion 355 of cover
`gasket 350.
`Although in FIG. 5, for the sake of simplicity of illustra-
`tion, cords 472, 422, and 22 are depicted as being disposed
`directly into cord grooves 262 and 264, it is preferable that in
`the assembled state, cords 472, 422, and 22 are disposed
`between cord sealing portion 355 of access cover gasket 350
`and cord seal block 352. Cover gasket 350 is also provided
`with a corresponding set of cord seal grooves 351 to match
`lower cord seal grooves 262 and to hold cords 22, 422, and
`472; and cord seal block 352 is also provided with a corre-
`sponding set ofcord seal grooves 353 on the outer side thereof
`to hold cords 22, 422, and 472. Access cover 310 is provided
`with a cord seal riser 340 with an angled flat surface formed
`on the outer side 341 thereof, i.e. the side opposite gusset 342,
`to match the flat surface on the inner side of cord seal block
`352.
`To assemble access cover 310 to main cover 210 and seal
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`cords 472, 422, and 22 therebetween, cover gasket 350 is
`placed upon flange 220 of cover 210; cords 22, 422, and 472
`are run through the opening 221 for access cover 310 and are
`pressed into cord seal grooves 351 of cover gasket 350; cord
`seal block is placed over cords 22, 422, and 472 and in contact
`with the cord sealing portion 355 of cover gasket 350, so that
`cords 22, 422, and 472 are disposed in the passageways 8
`formed between cord seal grooves 351 of cover gasket 350
`and cord seal grooves 353 ofcord seal block 352; access cover
`310 is placed upon main cover 210 with the flat surface of
`cord seal block 352 mated against the angled flat surface of
`the riser 340 of access cover 310; and bolts 380 are used to
`secure access cover 310 to main cover 210, thereby compress-
`ing gasket 350 therebetween. Referring to FIG. 9, which is a
`perspective view of cover assembly 200 taken from the angle
`at which the cords therein are upwardly disposed, it can be
`seen that cords 22, 422, and 472 are routed through holes 8
`and are sealed between the cover gasket 350 and the cord seal
`block 352, by the clamping action of access cover 310 against
`main cover 210, which compresses gasket 350 and cord seal
`block 352 to provide such sealing action.
`Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 9, and in a further embodi-
`ment, the applicant’s cover assembly 210 is further provided
`with alarm control unit 390, which, during shipping to the
`installation site, is disposed upon access cover 310. When
`sewage handling system 10 is installed, alarm control unit
`390 is mounted at a suitable location nearby, such as e.g., a
`nearby wall, or on a sheet metal panel or other suitable sur-
`face. Referring also to FIG. 5, in the preferred embodiment,
`the cord 422 of alarm level switch 420 is fed upwardly
`through one of the cord openings formed between cord seal-
`ing portion 355 of access cover gasket 350 and cord seal block
`352, and into an opening 392 in alarm control unit 390 that is
`mounted nearby. (For the sake of simplicity of illustration,
`cord 422 is not shown disposed through opening 392 in FIG.
`9. However, it is to be understood that cord 422 enters control
`unit 390 through opening 392 and is suitably sealed at such
`opening.)
`Electrical wires (not shown) within cord 422 are connected
`to further electrical switching means such as e.g. an electro-
`mechanical relay, or to communication means such as e.g. a
`wireless transmitter. Such further electrical switching means
`or communication means is further connected to or in com-
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`munication with various alarm indicating means such as e.g.
`a light, a horn, a computer or process controller, including a
`video display, and the like. In operation, when the liquid level
`in basin 100 becomes excessively high and floats level switch
`420 upwardly, the contacts within level switch 420 change
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`state (open-to-closed or vice-versa), and an alarm condition is
`indicated by th