IP Library Granted Patent US 12,655,622
Granted Patent B2
US 12,655,622 · App. 18/162,228 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Stormwater management crate assembly with tapered columns and side panels with column bearing components

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.
E03F1/005B65D25/105B65D15/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,655,622
App. No.
18/162,228
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Stormwater management systems, methods, and apparatuses for containing and filtering runoff are provided. Disclosed embodiments may include a top plate including a first plurality of side panel attachments and a bottom plate including a second plurality of side panel attachments. Embodiments may include a plurality of support column assemblies between the top plate and the bottom plate. Each support column assembly of the plurality of support column assemblies may include an upper portion and a lower portion and the upper portion and lower portion may be configured to connect at a mating connection. Embodiments may also include one or more side panels. Each of the one or more side panels may include one or more column bearing components. The one or more column bearing components may be configured to contact at least one support column assembly of the plurality of support column assemblies at one or more contact areas. The one or more contact areas may be located above or below the mating connection. 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 (32)

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

a top plate including a first plurality of side panel attachments;

a bottom plate including a second plurality of side panel attachments;

a plurality of support column assemblies between the top plate and the bottom plate, each support column assembly of the plurality of support column assemblies including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion and lower portion are configured to connect at a mating connection; and

one or more convex side panels, each of the one or more side panels including one or more column bearing components, wherein the one or more column bearing components comprise a concave tip configured to sit flush against at least one support column assembly of the plurality of support column assemblies at one or more contact areas, the one or more contact areas being located above or below the mating connection.

2 . The stormwater management crate of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more side panels is affixed to the top plate at the first plurality of side panel attachments.

3 . The stormwater management crate of claim 2 , wherein each of the one or more side panels is affixed to the bottom plate at the second plurality of side panel attachments.

4 . The stormwater management crate of claim 1 , wherein the mating connection includes a snap connection.

5 . The stormwater management crate of claim 1 , wherein the one or more column bearing components includes at least two column bearing components.

6 . The stormwater management crate of claim 5 , wherein the one or more column bearing components are configured to contact at least one support column assembly of the plurality of support column assemblies in at least two contact areas.

7 . The stormwater management crate of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the upper portion and the lower portion include a snap connection.

8 . The stormwater management crate of claim 7 , wherein the snap connection includes one or both of a snap connection hook and a snap connection slot.

9 . The stormwater management crate of claim 8 , 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.

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

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

a top plate including a first plurality of side panel attachments;

a bottom plate including a second plurality of side panel attachments;

a plurality of support columns between the top plate and the bottom plate; and

one or more convex side panels, each of the one or more side panels including one or more column bearing components, wherein the one or more column bearing components comprise a concave tip configured to sit flush against at least one support column of the plurality of support columns at one or more contact areas.

11 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the stormwater management crates is affixed to an adjacent stormwater management crate through a hook and slot connection.

12 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 10 , wherein a first stormwater management crate is stacked vertically on top of a second stormwater management crate.

13 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first and second stormwater management crates include stabilization pins connecting the first and second stormwater management crates.

14 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 10 , wherein a lower portion of each support column of the plurality of support columns is configured to be affixed to the bottom plate.

15 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 14 , wherein a top portion of each support column of the plurality of support columns is configured to be affixed to the top plate.

16 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 10 , wherein the one or more side panels are affixed to the top plate at the first plurality of side panel attachments.

17 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 16 , wherein the one or more side panels are affixed to the bottom plate at the second plurality of side panel attachments.

18 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 10 , wherein the one or more column bearing components includes at least two column bearing components.

19 . The stormwater management crate assembly of claim 18 , wherein the one or more column bearing components are configured to contact each support column of the plurality of support columns in at least two contact areas.

Assignments (2)
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 Jun 13, 2023
From: MILLER, ADAM; SWISTAK, DAN; COPPES, BRYAN; HOLBROOK, PAUL; VITARELLI, RONALD
To: ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS INC.
Reel/Frame 063932/0832 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation In Part 17938600 · Oct 6, 2022
Provisional Application 63327695 · Apr 5, 2022
Provisional Application 63262230 · Oct 7, 2021
Provisional Application 63262228 · Oct 7, 2021
Related Publication 20230243142A1 · Aug 3, 2023
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