IP Library Granted Patent US 12,286,782
Granted Patent B2
US 12,286,782 · App. 17/938,600 · Granted Apr 29, 2025

Stormwater management crate assembly with tapered columns

Inventors: Adam Miller (Haddam, CT); Dan Swistak (Newmarket, NH); Bryan Coppes (Old Saybrook, CT); Ronald Vitarelli (Marlborough, CT); Paul Holbrook (Old Saybrook, CT)
Assignee: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
E03F1/005E03F5/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,286,782
App. No.
17/938,600
Granted
Apr 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Stormwater management systems, methods, and apparatus for containing and filtering runoff may be provided. In one implementation, a stormwater management crate for managing stormwater runoff may be provided. The stormwater management crate may include a top plate having a first plurality of support column attachments and one or more support column assemblies located below the top plate; the one or more support column assemblies being affixed to the top plate at the support column attachments. The stormwater management crate may further include a bottom plate having a second plurality of support column attachments located below the support column assemblies. Stormwater management crates may be arranged into an array and include side panels of variable heights. The array of stormwater management crates may be further wrapped in sediment impervious material and serve to restrict stormwater flow as part of a stormwater management system.

Claims (31)

1. A stormwater management crate for managing stormwater runoff, the crate comprising:

a top plate having a first plurality of support column attachments;

a plurality of support column assemblies located below the top plate, the support column assemblies affixed to the top plate at the support column attachments;

a bottom plate having a second plurality of support column attachments located below the support column assemblies; and

wherein the first and second plurality of support column attachments comprise a bayonet connection comprising a rib configured to prevent a pin from exiting the first and second plurality of support column attachments.

2. The stormwater management crate of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of support column assemblies includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion affixed to the bottom plate.

3. The stormwater management crate of claim 2 , wherein the support column assembly upper portion is affixed to a corresponding lower portion with a snap connection.

4. The stormwater management crate of claim 3 , wherein:

the upper portion includes a first set of snap connection hooks and a first set of snap connection slots;

the lower portion includes a second set of snap connection hooks and a second set of snap connection slots;

the first set of snap connection hooks is configured to connect to the second set of snap connection slots; and

the first set of snap connection slots is configured to connect to the second set of snap connection hooks.

5. The stormwater management crate of claim 2 , wherein the support column assemblies have a tapered shape.

6. The stormwater management crate of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the support column assemblies further comprises a column pin integrated toward one end of the support column assembly, the column pin configured to interface with the support column attachment to affix the support column assembly to the top plate.

7. The stormwater management crate of claim 6 , where the bayonet connection includes a detent configured to receive the column pin.

8. The stormwater management crate portion of claim 7 , where the detent is configured to permit the support column assembly to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction from the center detent position.

9. The stormwater management crate of claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes one or more stabilization pins on the upper side of the top plate.

10. The stormwater management crate of claim 1 , wherein the top plate includes one or more column connection recess covers.

11. A stormwater management crate assembly for managing stormwater runoff comprising:

a plurality of stormwater management crates arranged in a modular array, the stormwater management crates comprising:

a top plate having a first plurality of support column attachments;

a plurality of support column assemblies located below the top plate, the support column assemblies affixed to the top plate at the support column attachments;

a bottom plate having a second plurality of support column attachments located below the support column assemblies; and

wherein the first and second plurality of support column attachments comprise a bayonet connection comprising a rib configured to prevent a pin from exiting the first and second plurality of support column attachments; and

at least one side panel contacting at least a portion of the stormwater management crates.

12. The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the stormwater management crates is affixed to an adjacent stormwater management crate through a hook and slot connection.

13. The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 11 , wherein a first stormwater management crate is stacked vertically on top of a second stormwater management crate.

14. The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first and second stormwater management crates include stabilization pins between the first and second stormwater management crates.

15. The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first stormwater management crate further comprises column connection recess covers on the top side of the top plate.

16. The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the plurality of support column assemblies includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion affixed to the bottom plate.

17. The stormwater management crate of claim 16 , wherein the support column assembly upper portion is affixed to a corresponding lower portion with a snap connection.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2026
From: ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074990/0789 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2025
From: HOLBROOK, PAUL
To: ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC
Reel/Frame 070526/0290 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 30, 2022
From: MILLER, ADAM; SWISTAK, DAN; COPPES, BRYAN; VITARELLI, RONALD
To: ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC
Reel/Frame 062244/0172 →
Continuity (4)
Provisional Application 63327695 · Apr 5, 2022
Provisional Application 63262230 · Oct 7, 2021
Provisional Application 63262228 · Oct 7, 2021
Related Publication 20230116524A1 · Apr 13, 2023
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