Leaching chambers joined together with swivel connections
View Patent ↗Arch shape cross-section leaching and stormwater chambers are connected together so that swiveled angling is obtained at the joint. Angling is accomplished by means of an integral or detachable dome end comprising a conical section. A like chamber with an ordinary end mates by overlapping the dome. Or a like chamber may have an opposing and overlapping end, which also comprises a dome. A coupling for connecting two ordinary end chambers is comprised of two spaced apart conical domes spaced apart by a connector. The connector between the domes is optionally straight or angled. The couplings enable chambers to be connected at diverse angles to each other, as well as to be connected parallel with offset, i.e., with zigzag path.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a first portion having a first portion base connected with a first portion top via a first portion wall extending vertically from said first portion base to define a first portion cavity, wherein said first portion top is substantially dome shaped and wherein said first portion wall is substantially conical shaped and includes a first portion wall opening;
a second portion having a second portion base connected with a second portion top via a second portion wall extending vertically from said second portion base to define a second portion cavity, wherein said second portion top is substantially dome shaped and wherein said second portion wall is substantially conical shaped and includes a second portion wall opening;
a connecting portion defining a connecting portion cavity, wherein said connecting portion is connected with said first portion and said second portion such that said connecting portion cavity is communicated with said first portion cavity via said first portion wall opening and such that said connecting portion cavity is communicated with said second portion cavity via said second portion wall opening, and
a first chamber device and a second chamber device, wherein each of said first chamber device and said second chamber device include a chamber wall having an arch shaped cross section to define a chamber cavity for receiving or dispersing liquids when buried in soil, wherein said first chamber device is connected with said first portion such that said first portion is at least partially disposed within said chamber cavity of said first chamber device and wherein said second chamber device is connected with said second portion such that said second portion is at least partially disposed within said chamber cavity of said second chamber device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first chamber device is connected with said first portion such that said first chamber device is angularly adjustable in the horizontal plane relative to said first portion by rotation about said first portion and wherein said second chamber device is connected with said second portion such that said second chamber device is angularly adjustable in the horizontal plane relative to said second portion by rotation about said second portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first chamber device includes a means for inhibiting longitudinal motion relative to said first portion, said means for inhibiting longitudinal motion including,
a first internal element disposed to interact with said first portion to inhibit motion in a first direction, and
a second internal element disposed to interact with said first portion to inhibit motion in a second direction opposing said first direction.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein an end portion of said first chamber device includes a corrugation running along said chamber wall such that said first portion fits within said corrugation, wherein said first internal element and said second internal element are portions of said corrugation which contact said first portion wall.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said second internal element interacts with said first portion top to inhibit longitudinal motion of said first chamber device away from said first portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said second chamber device includes a means for inhibiting longitudinal motion relative to said second portion, said means for inhibiting longitudinal motion including,
a first internal element disposed to interact with said second portion to inhibit motion in a first direction, and
a second internal element disposed to interact with said second portion to inhibit motion in a second direction opposing said first direction.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein an end portion of said second chamber device includes a corrugation running along said chamber wall such that said second portion fits within said corrugation, wherein said first internal element and said second internal element are portions of said corrugation which contact said second portion wall.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said second internal element interacts with said second portion top to inhibit longitudinal motion of said second chamber device away from said second portion.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first portion further includes a first chamber opening and said second portion further includes a second chamber opening and wherein said chamber cavity of said first chamber device is communicated with said first portion cavity via said first chamber opening and wherein said chamber cavity of said second chamber device is communicated with said second portion cavity via said second chamber opening.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of said first portion top and said second portion top includes a pedestal having an arch shape contour edge for engaging a second internal element of a chamber device.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first portion wall and said second portion wall includes a depression for providing flow space for a liquid.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said connecting portion is elbow shaped in the horizontal plane.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said connecting portion is elbow shaped in the horizontal plane to have about a 45° bend, such that when a first chamber device is connected with said first portion and when a second chamber device is connected with said second portion, the range of angles between said first chamber device and said second chamber device ranges from 0° to 90°.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first portion base and said second portion base include a protruding portion extending substantially horizontal from said first portion wall and said second portion wall, respectively.