IP Library Granted Patent US 7,503,725
Granted Patent B1
US 7,503,725 · App. 11/893,963 · Granted Mar 17, 2009

Subsurface drainage system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,503,725
App. No.
11/893,963
Granted
Mar 17, 2009
Kind
B1
Abstract

A subsurface water drainage system which includes a high porosity cylinder made of a mixture of Portland cement and activated charcoal, such cylinder disposed vertically in the subsoil to receive water discharge therein and to direct such water through its porous midsection into adjacent subsoil at a rate sufficient for dispersing the water to prevent yard surface flooding.

Claims (16)

1. A system for water infiltration into subsoil near a building having a yard surface covered by topsoil, such building having a gutter system, sump pump or other source of water discharge directed into an underground drain pipe having a first end and a second end, said first end extending from said source of water discharge and said second end being disposed horizontally in said subsurface soil, said system comprising:

a 90-degree elbow pipe having a first end and a second end, said first end of said elbow pipe interconnected to said second end of said drain pipe and said second end of said elbow pipe extending downward; and

a vertically disposed cylinder having a top, a bottom, a midsection and side walls having an outer side, said top of said cylinder interconnected to said second end of said elbow pipe which is absolutely centered therein forming a pressure fitting, said midsection made of a high-porosity material being a mixture of Portland cement and activated charcoal, said cylinder having a multiplicity of microscopic pores defined in said midsection, said cylinder having a receipt area defined therein for receiving said water from said second end of said elbow pipe and directing said water first by gravity pressure and then to flow under air pressure created by said incoming water passing through said pressure fitting to pass then through said porous midsection which, by capillary action, further draws said water through said pores and into said adjacent subsoil at a rate sufficient for dispersing said water into said subsoil to prevent yard surface flooding.

2. A system for water infiltration into subsoil near a building having a yard surface covered by topsoil, such building having a gutter system, sump pump or other source of water discharge directed into an underground drain pipe having a first end and a second end, said first end extending from said source of water discharge and said second end being disposed horizontally in said subsurface soil, said system comprising:

a 90-degree elbow pipe having a first end and a second end, said first end of said elbow pipe interconnected to said second end of said drain pipe and said second end of said elbow pipe extending downward;

a vertically disposed cylinder having a top, a bottom, a midsection and side walls having an outer side, said cylinder interconnected to said second end of said elbow pipe, said midsection made of a high-porosity material being a mixture of Portland cement and activated charcoal, said cylinder having a multiplicity of pores defined in said midsection, said cylinder having a receipt area defined therein for receiving said water from said second end of said elbow pipe and directing said water by gravity pressure to flow through said porous midsection into said adjacent subsoil at a rate sufficient for dispersing said water into said subsoil to prevent yard surface flooding;

wherein said vertically disposed cylinder further includes:

a cast concrete base having a thickness of approximately 4-6 inches forming said bottom of said cylinder;

wherein said midsection is integrally attached to said base, said midsection having side walls having a thickness of approximately 1.25-2.5 inches;

a top member made of concrete, said top member having a center and a thickness of approximately 4-6 inches, said top member attached to said midsection, the open area between said top member, said side walls and said base defining said receipt area in said cylinder;

an aperture defined in and extending vertically through said center of said top member; and

a female pipe fitting positioned in said aperture, said female pipe fitting for receipt and attachment to said second end of said elbow pipe for forming a pressure fitting to prevent air escape from said receipt area and pressurizing said receipt area to aid in forcing water outward through said multiplicity of pores in said side walls of said cylinder into said surrounding subsoil.

3. The system of claim 2 further including:

a bed of ½-¾ inch stone disposed beneath said bottom of said cylinder, around said outer sides of said cylinder, and above said top member of said cylinder; and

a vapor barrier positioned above said elbow pipe and covering said cylinder, said vapor barrier being covered by said topsoil.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said porous side walls of said cylinder has sufficient porosity to allow a water flow rate therethrough of approximately 55 gallons/minute.

Assignments (2)
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Aug 22, 2025
From: INDEPENDENCE MATERIALS GROUP, LLC
To: GOLUB CAPITAL MARKETS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072526/0814 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2025
From: PRATT, JAMES M.
To: INDEPENDENCE MATERIALS GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 071331/0831 →